The Water Regulation Committee met on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 to
discuss the water quality reports and the date to commence the annual
lake Draw Down.
This year the Draw Down is scheduled for Monday, September 9, 2019.
While the recent water quality readings were not grim, they were less
admiral than in the past, with 2016 and 2017 the best years we have
had. We are reminded by lake biologists that one or two ‘bad’ water
quality years does not indicate a trend; it could be a fluke. We
discussed the multiple contributors to poor water quality; there is not
one focal point other than Phosphorus, which comes from numerous sources.
Discussion ensued regarding the position of the dam gate for the winter,
and the data that seemed to support improved water quality during the
summers when the gate was open the previous winter.
The list with 63 signatures of lake association members was presented to
the committee members, with the request to leave the dam gate open
during the winter months, acknowledging that the lake water levels may
be lower than optimal in the early spring 2020 should there be little
snow pack in the 2019-2020 winter.
The Water Regulation Committee members discussed data collection for
lake water quality, and it was determined that in order to identify
trends, parameters would be set for leaving the dam gate open in the
winter and the frequency of water testing throughout the year.
Going forward, for the next THREE YEARS, the dam gate will be left open
even after the Draw Down has reached its maximum level. The water
outflow from the lake will be tested from the river during the fall and
winter months.
The decision to continue or discontinue this practice will be evaluated
after the 36 month time period.
The dam gate will be closed after ice out.
The Water Regulation Committee will meet in March and June 2020 in
addition to our annual August meeting.
We will report the data as we receive it.
On a different note, the water in my beach has been good the last 16
days, and today it was close to outstanding, for which I am grateful to
the powers in the universe.
Darcy reports the Loon Count spotted 23 adults and 2 chicks this
year…..yippee!!!
Enjoy the remainder of the summer.
Muf