Lake Notes… Water Advisor Board Meeting…
By Lionel Robbins
43rd Street Pond
The project to raise the outfall of the pond is proceeding as planned. There was a final site meeting on May 5, 2019, including the contractor. Some areas of erosion around the pond will also be repaired during the process.
Lake Evaluation
The Board has requested that Dr. Harvey Harper of Environmental Research and Design (ERD) propose an update of general water quality and overall evaluation of Lake Holden. This is a preliminary step in preparation for the possible whole lake surface alum treatment.
Hydrilla Treatment/Grass Carp Stocking
Invasive plant surveys are performed on a quarterly basis and treatments typically follow surveys. Rotation of herbicide, liquid / granular and the type, Aquathol / Super K still has limited success of keeping hydrilla under control. The possibility of eradication of the very invasive plant is nearly impossible. As an example of the impacted areas the map (below) is the location of the April 30, May 2 & 7, 2019 treatments. By the time you read this, the effectiveness can be observed in the treatment areas.
Because of the herbicide treatments are very expensive and have limited success, the best alternative is stocking of grass carp. Hydrilla is their most favorite food and Lake Holden has plenty for them to consume. On May 9, 2019, four hundred, 10” – 12” grass carp were stocked in Lake Holden.
FDEP Lake Sediment Sampling
As part of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) statewide Watershed Monitoring Network, a water and sediment report will be prepared and submitted to the WAB. This project, spearheaded by Mike Powell, is set to commence sometime in June 2019. The report will be available later in the year. This is not a comprehensive sampling for potentially hazardous contaminants but provides a sediment analysis that will provide a baseline for future analysis. This report comes a perfect time with the upcoming ERD study.
You are welcome and encouraged to attend any and all WAB meetings held on the third Wednesday of each month at 5:30PM. The location is 2010 East Michigan St, Facilities Training Room.
