April 2018 LMIP

A. Works Completed to Date-  

1. Structural Projects- Design contractor Stantec has provided concept drawings for two in-lake forebay options for Flat Run. A. Morton Thomas & Associates and golf course design partner Ault, Clark, & Associates were selected for design and permitting for the 14^th Pond Retrofit with Forebay. 30% designs were presented February 6^th at the Woods Center. Comments were integrated into 60% design which will be presented April 23^rd.
2. Public Education- Lake Currents - Articles were written for the Lake Currents newsletter in subjects of prevention of transfer of aquatic invasive species, leaf removal, and pet waste associated problems to the lakes. Pamphlets on aquatic invasive species were distributed with annual boat registration. Poster sized informational signs for aquatic invasive species were posted at Member Services.
3. Dredging- The dredge is presently on the Main Lake in Cove #2. Dredging operations were completed in Keaton’s Lake in October. Before operations were moved to the Main Lake, needed maintenance to the dredge, barge, and clam truck were completed by LOWA Maintenance staff. After moving operations to the Main Lake, it was soon discovered that the old barge was sinking from taking on water through small holes that were forming in its aging, rusting, hull; beyond cost efficient repair. A new barge was built from scratch by Lee Felterman & Associates, LLC of Patterson, LA, and was delivered to LOWA February 26^th. Lake sediment dredging was completed in coves K3, K5, and K9, on Keaton’s Lake, and Cove #2 on the Main Lake, since the semi-annual review last October. Approximately 560 cubic yards of sediment were removed from these coves.

4. Roadside Ditch Reconstruction Program- LOWA Roads Crew’s work combined with work of annual contractors yield the following results:

See Section B.b for 2018 plans.

4. Water Quality- LOWA staff completed all annual, quarterly, and monthly water quality testing for 2017, and thus far for 2018, including nutrient monitoring, physico-chemical monitoring, petroleum monitoring, heavy metals monitoring, and also bacteriological monitoring.
5. Aquatic Plant Management- Vegetation survey was completed this past October. Results for 2017 show 40.1 total acres of submerged aquatic vegetation. This is about 9 acres less than 2016 results of 49.1 total acres. In accordance with the Lakes Management Implementation Plan/Schedule 2017-2018, to maintain a multi-use lake, a goal of 5%-15% (25-75 acres) for total SAV has been established. The 2017 survey indicates the lake is inside the target range at 40.1 total SAV acres. Hydrilla growth reduced from 9.7 acres in 2016 to 5.8 acres in 2017, and will continue to be monitored in the spring survey.

B. Works in Progress-

1. Structural Projects-

• Flat Run Forebay – Design contractor Stantec has provided concept drawings for two in-lake forebay options for Flat Run (see attachment). Both designs initially appear effective and relatively cost efficient. Flat Run Forebay has a construction budget of $138,100. Depending upon cost estimate, this construction budget may cover the cost of design/permitting and construction. A cost estimate for design/permitting services and construction services, should be first obtained. If additional monies are needed, Culp’s Cove Stream Restoration has a design budget of $87,500, and could have available surplus funds (actual design cost dependent), for example. Flat Run Forebay provides a greater opportunity for water quality improvement at cost than Culp’s Cove Stream Restoration. Once a decision to proceed has been made, it is possible to complete design and permitting (Army Corps of Engineers dependent) in approximately 3 months. Request for proposal for construction services, interviews and selection of construction contractor could take an additional month. Approximate expected construction time would be three to four months. This would yield an approximate expected completion date for construction December 2018/ January 2019.
• 14^th Pond Retrofit with Forebay - A. Morton Thomas & Associates and golf course design partner Ault, Clark, & Associates were selected for design and permitting for the 14^th Pond Retrofit with Forebay. 30% designs were presented February 6^th at the Woods Center. Comments were integrated into 60% design which will be presented April 23^rd. 90% design will be presented in May, date to be determined upon design completion. 100% design should be available June/July, with competitive bidding for construction services to follow. The expected construction completion is January 2019, weather and permitting dependent.

2. Roadside Ditch Reconstruction- Contractor will complete one mile of roadside ditch reconstruction in September-October 2018. Erosion & Sediment Control Inspector will release a request for proposal in June, and roadside ditch reconstruction will begin in September.
3. Public Education- Environmental articles will continue to be written for the Lake Currents newspaper. Continue to promote local resources and organizations for members to utilize.
4. Grant Funding- Additional grants will continue to be sought and applied for to aid in the funding of projects.
5. Dredging- Dredging operations will continue in scheduled coves on the Main Lake through October 2019.
6. Water Quality- LOWA staff will conduct annual, quarterly, and monthly water quality testing throughout 2018.
7. Fisheries/ Habitat Management- Blue Gill Sunfish, Redear Sunfish and forage minnows will be stocked in the Main Lake and Keaton’s Lake. Stocking will occur in May.
8. Aquatic Plant Management- Fall vegetation survey was completed this past October. Preliminary spring survey will take place in May to identify potential problem areas.

C. State of the Lakes-
The following is a brief overview of the health of the lakes as indicated from water quality data collected from 2017.
The Main Lake and Keaton’s Lake consistently score poorer than EPA water quality standards for Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorous. This is an ongoing concern.

1. Main Lake- Over the past four years, Total Nitrogen has been higher than the recommended EPA level. The Main Lake has averaged approximately 2.5 times the EPA standard. This is an ongoing concern. Over the past four years, Total Phosphorous has also been higher than the recommended EPA level. The Main Lake has averaged approximately 3 times the EPA standard. This is an ongoing concern.
2. Keaton’s Lake- Over the past four years, Total Nitrogen has been higher than the recommended EPA level. Keaton’s Lake has averaged approximately 3 times the EPA standard. This is an ongoing concern. Over the past four years, Total Phosphorous has also been higher than the recommended EPA level. Keaton’s Lake has averaged approximately 3 times the EPA standard. This is an ongoing concern.

Over the past four years, Chlorophyll-a results in both Lakes remain below state threshold levels; no reason for concern.
Further improvement of water quality results can be achieved through construction of additional sediment & nutrient removing structural projects, and public education. Public education in the areas of restricted nutrient fertilizers (use phosphorous-free), and leaves/pet waste as excessive nutrient runoff in ditches to the Lakes will continue to be emphasized.

c. Nutrient Levels: (Phosphorus, Nitrogen, & Chlorophyll-α)
ML- Average Total Nitrogen Concentrations
ML- Average Phosphorus Concentrations 
ML- Average Phosphorus Concentrations 

KL- Average Total Nitrogen Concentrations  

KL- Average Phosphorus Concentrations 

 ML & KL- Chlorophyll-α
Physical Properties

 
 

• pH: Within the standards for aquatic life.
• Dissolved Oxygen: DO levels fluctuate in both lakes as water temperatures change seasonally. DO is at acceptable levels in both Lakes.
• Temp: Both Lakes are within the acceptable level.
• Secchi Depth: Main Lake is well within the standard.  Keaton’s Lake water clarity has continued to improve on average over the past four years.  
• Conductivity: Acceptable level for both lakes. General standard for lakes is 50-1500µS/cm. (2014, Teton Science)
• Turbidity & TSS: Acceptable level for both lakes.  General standard for turbidity is 10-50 NTU (2004, EPA.)  Keaton’s Lake has higher levels on average than the Main Lake; this is expected given the lower Secchi Depth readings on Keaton’s Lake.
• The dark line separating 8/14/2014 and 11/4/2014, marks the completion of the 13^th Fairway Stream Restoration Project.
• The dark line separating 12/19/2016 and 5/10/2017, marks the completion of Eastover Park Water Quality Retrofit. Total suspended sediment results, and turbidity results are both lower on average (less cloudy water, desirable), since completion of projects. Secchi Depth results have increased on average (more transparent, clearer water to greater depths, desirable) since completion of projects. In 2017, we did not need to treat Keaton’s Lake for harmful blue-green algae, after having two treated outbreaks a year from 2013-2016.

 
 
Lakes Management Implementation Plan – Sediment & Nutrient Reduction Projects
 

• Keaton’s Lake = 38,349 feet reconstructed roadside ditches; two structural projects completed: 13^th Fairway Stream Restoration, and Eastover Park Water Quality Retrofit; one structural project in design: 14^th Pond Retrofit with Forebay
• Main Lake = 20,971 feet reconstructed roadside ditches; with the first structural project, Flat Run Forebay, in design