Lake Management Articles

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Report Goose Nests

To maintain a safe environment and ensure our lake is safe for all members, please inform the association of any nesting birds. In this manner, we can deter the proliferation of Canada Geese from Lake Roaming Rock. The population of geese if maintained through the Ohio Natural Resource Goose Damage Permitting System, works to keep the overpopulation from occurring.

The Ohio Natural Resources (ONR) writes, “Most people will welcome and start feeding the first pair of geese on their pond, but these geese will soon wear out their welcome. In just a few years, a pair of geese can easily become 50 to 100 birds. The feces will foul the areas around the pond and surrounding yards and damage the lawn, pond and other vegetation. Geese that are fed will lose their fear of humans and attack adults, children, and pets during the nesting season (March through June). DO NOT FEED GEESE. Feeding bread, corn, potato chips, popcorn and other human food items harms the geese and sets the scene for goose attacks on people.”

Ohio State University also writes “Degraded Water Quality – Large accumulations of feces near water can degrade water quality as rain wash the material into the water. Goose feces are high in phosphorus and nitrogen, nutrients that in excess can cause nuisance blooms of algae and aquatic plants in ponds and lakes. An excess of algae and submerged plants can lead to oxygen depletion at night due to plant respiration and can cause a fish kill.

In addition, goose feces can contain a variety of pathogens such as Giardia and Coliform bacteria, which can cause illness in humans. Large numbers of geese can elevate concentrations of these pathogens in pond and lake water, and accidental ingestion of such water can cause illness”.

With your help and ONR, we have used the Goose Damage Permitting System method for the past years and have found it works. Reductions in population, nest counts, and returning migrations are examples we realized. I encourage all our residents to continue with this effort and their notifications are important to our overall effort to keep our lake safe and healthy!

Gerry Dixon
Lake Management Committee

Overview of Recreational Season for 2023

By David Ernes – Lake Management Committee

The 2023 season turned out to be a season of unusual weather coupled with unexpected observations. Despite this, for the third straight year, we ended the season with no algal toxin levels exceeding the EPA Advisory limit. We also added over 400 pounds of feeder fish to enhance the excellent fishery. This document includes a review of the issues we faced and the conclusions from the reports from our consultants.

The report from EnviroScience related to the in-lake conditions found that, on a whole lake basis, the algaecide treatments were successful at maintaining the recreational use of the lake. Selected areas did observe issues but overall, the lake has seen an improvement since 2021. In August, algae populations increased primarily in the north, which was surprising, prompting the second partial algaecide treatment. The nitrogen levels were elevated above that seen in prior years. The report does encourage efforts being done to control the nutrients by seeking financial assistance.

The AquaDoc report, measuring the conditions south of the lake, showed phosphorus levels similar to last year. The increase in nitrogen levels primarily for nitrate, appeared at the end of June and originated in Whetstone Creek. It appeared as the weather shifted from a drought to heavy rain events. It slowly returned to normal as the summer progressed. While the source is unknown, the elevated nitrogen level is felt to be responsible for some of the unusual observations this season.

Throughout the course of the year, we have been in communication with our consultants to try to understand the unusual situations we experienced. The consensus opinions are briefly described below.

Filamentous Algal Mats. As has been discussed both at Board Meetings and e-blasts, an increase in non-toxic green, filamentous algae is expected as we work to control the more toxic blue-green algae. In addition, the increase in nitrogen (in the form of nitrates) entering the lake likely acted as a ‘fertilizer’ for the filamentous algae, increasing the magnitude of the problem, especially in the south.

Floating snails. At the end of June, an increased number of floating snails were observed. These snails, likely Mystery Snails, are invasive to our area. They seemed to originate in the south (observations in September found them to proliferate south of the lake) with the shells floating north with the current. The complicating factor is that these snails can float and still be alive. Observations by our consultants and the author have confirmed this. While there are several possibilities to explain why they behaved as they did, it is not clear which factor (or some combination of factors) was responsible. The fact that this was unique to this season suggests the nitrate level increase as a likely contributing factor.

Odor in the South.  Around September 22, a sewer-like odor was observed in the south end of the lake, extending upstream of the bridge. This was found to be due to a condition called hypoxia, where the oxygen level in the lake was depleted. When this happens, odor-causing chemicals are released as the aquatic vegetation and algae die off at that time of year, consuming dissolved oxygen in the water. Normally the fall rain brings in freshly oxygenated water, but the unusually dry September prevented this, so the normal processes occurring in the lake were again disturbed. In addition, the high level of filamentous algae, and the excessive vegetation in the lake below Spanish Cove and extending south of the Route 6 bridge added to the load. This drop in oxygen also adversely affected the fish (and snail) population in this area. With artificial aeration and returning rainfall, the situation was corrected.

Overall, this year we saw that factors beyond our control acted against our efforts to improve conditions in the lake. Until we find a Bond villain with a weather control machine, we will have to do our best to adapt. As in the past, we will use lessons learned this season to direct our plans moving forward. Because, as always, we all must do our best to…

Be Lake Responsible

Algal Toxins and Pets

By D.Ernes – Lake Management Committee

There have been additional reports of pets encountering active blooms resulting in illness and in some cases death. It is useful to remind people of the risks to our for-legged friends.

First, these reports are talking about exposure to toxins that can be released from cyanobacteria [CB], which most people refer to as blue-green algae. As an organism, CB has been around as long as water has been on earth. It is present in a great many lakes in Ohio including ours. But why is this an issue with dogs?

Unlike us, dogs cannot read beach warning signs, or e-blasts and have no issues drinking water that has green swirls in it. The EPA website says “When in doubt, keep pets out”. Additionally, dogs (and other animals as well) may be more susceptible to the toxins that can be present. The most common toxin, microcystin, can cause liver damage that can be fatal in dogs. Here are some things that you should know.

  1. This is not something new. There have been reports of animal deaths related to ingestion of lake water as early as 1878. It has become very visible in our 24/7 news environment.
  2. Symptoms of exposure include: diarrhea, vomiting, drooling, weakness, seizures and breathing difficulties to name a few. If you notice these symptoms, take your pet immediately to the vet. Exposure can be fatal after a few hours to several days depending on the size of the pet and the quantity ingested. There is no cure, but treatments have been shown to be successful.
  3. The Veterinary Merck Manual indicates that the greatest effect is from ingestion of a concentrated bloom. The amount of water ingested that can be fatal can vary from a few ounces to several gallons. For those of you with a health background, it states that the toxins have a steep dose-response curve where as much as 90% of a lethal dose can be ingested without measurable effect.

I have been unable to find any references regarding exposure limits for pets to toxins like there are for humans. So, if you see that there is a bloom on the surface of the water (often seen in the early hours of the day), keep your pet away from it. If they go in, don’t panic. Just get them out, rinse them off and keep an eye out for symptoms. If you send them outside, make sure they drink clean water before they go out, so that they are not thirsty. Have clean water available to them when they are outside, so they are not tempted to drink from the lake. Take care of our furry friends and …

BE LAKE (And PET) RESPONSIBLE

Lake Treatment 2.0

This past week, a major rain event interfered with our recent attempt to treat the lake. Working with AquaDoc, we will be trying again to do the first half treatment on August 21. Unfortunately, we will not be able to treat the entire lake before the Labor Day holiday. As such, we have decided to treat the northern half of the lake first. This is because a significant amount of the in-lake activities occurs in the northern half. Because of EPA requirements, the southern half of the lake will not be treated before the holiday weekend. We had this same split treatment schedule for the first treatment the end of June with the northern half delayed until after the Fourth holiday.

With sections of the lake untreated for the Holiday weekend, everyone needs to be vigilant and avoid contact with any area showing signs of blue-green algae (swirls of green similar to paint). Please note that the copper algaecide is effective for blue-green algae but may not eliminate the filamentous green algae completely. We will send an update once we have a plan for the southern half.

*Please note that should these plans change; we will let you know as soon as possible. 
 
1) The lake level will be lowered to comply with the Ohio EPA requirements for this application. We hope to only lower it 2-4 inches. Please adjust your boat tie downs to accommodate the water level change. 
 
2) Please turn off all fountains or other devices that agitate the lake water in the application area on Monday AM. They may be turned back on Wednesday, August 23.
 
3) The application will be applied during the day of August 21. 
 
4) Please refrain from any activities on the lake, including boating, jet skis, etc, starting Monday August 21 to allow the treatment to be effective and to spread in a predictable manner. Boat traffic may resume on Wednesday, August 23.  The boat ramp will be closed from Monday AM until Wednesday AM.
 
5) While the lake is deemed safe following the application, we are closing the beaches Monday August 21, and reopening them on Friday, August 25, as a precautionary measure. Swimming and other activities involving direct contact with the lake should be avoided during this time. While unlikely, if you observe any undisposed product (a powder with a bluish tint), avoid direct contact and let the office know where it is observed.
 
6) Do not water your property with water from the lake during this period.

7) If you live in the southern end of the lake, please avoid contact with any active blooms until it can be treated.
 
While these steps may be inconvenient, they are necessary to insure the best chance for a successful application.

Postponed: Algae Treatment August 16

8/16 Update: Treatment Update

The heavy rains last night prevented us from lowering the lake sufficiently to allow the treatment to proceed. Our EPA permit requires that no water is flowing over the spillway. Therefore, we will be postponing the first half treatment until next week. All restrictions have been lifted. However, since we are observing active blue-green algal blooms, use caution when on the lake and avoid direct contact with an active bloom. Stay safe.


We have noticed the reappearance of blue-green algae. As such, it is important that everyone avoid contact with an active bloom. It is unfortunate that this happened so quickly, but we will try to get the lake treated before the Labor Day holiday. We will need your help and patience. Please note that the algaecide is effective for blue-green algae, but may not eliminate the filamentous green algae completely.
 
We are scheduling the first half of the whole lake algal treatment for Wednesday, August 16.  This will include the northern end of the lake. The following steps will be done during the first treatment. *Please note that should these plans change, we will let you know as soon as possible. 
 
1) The lake level will be lowered to comply with the Ohio EPA requirements for this application. The valve is expected to be opened tonight. Please adjust your boat tie downs to accommodate the water level change. 
 
2) Please turn off all fountains or other devices that agitate the lake water in the application area on Wednesday AM.  They may be turned back on Friday, August 18.
 
3) The application will be applied during the day of August 16. 
 
4) Please refrain from any activities on the lake, including boating, jet skis, etc, starting Wednesday August 16 to allow the treatment to be effective and to spread in a predictable manner. Boat traffic may resume on Friday, August 18.  The boat ramp will be closed from Wednesday AM until Friday AM.
 
5) While the lake is deemed safe following the application, we are closing the beaches Wednesday, August 16, and reopening them on Saturday, August 19, as a precautionary measure. Swimming and other activities involving direct contact with the lake should be avoided during this time. While unlikely, if you observe any undisposed product (a powder with a bluish tint), avoid direct contact and let the office know where it is observed.
 
6) Do not water your property with water from the lake during this period.
 
7) If you live in the southern end of the lake, please avoid contact with any active blooms until it can be treated.
 
While these steps may be inconvenient, they are necessary to insure the best chance for a successful application. The northern half of the lake will be treated in two weeks. A notice will be issued once it has been scheduled.

Lake Management – Status Update

Most of us remember the days when the lake was green with swirls of blue-green algae on the surface. We saw toxin levels exceed EPA limits, cautioning residents to avoid contact with the lake. The water was also cloudy, with poor transparency. 

Over three years ago, we began an effort to develop a Lake Management Plan. This plan has been flexible to allow changes while continuing to move forwards with actions that have shown success.

As a result of the Plan, we have seen a shift in those poor conditions. We have begun treating the blue-green algae before it gains a foothold, in spite of roadblocks that mother nature places on us. The lake is now clearer. The recent study shows that the fishery is healthy. And the algal toxins have been in control.

There have been a number of recent comments concerning what we are now seeing on the lake that we wanted to address. With the clearer waters, aquatic weeds and green filamentous algae are becoming more prevalent. An additional reason for their growth is that nutrients are driving the productivity of the lake. Until we begin to control the nutrients, something will grow using those nutrients. It is also possible that the early drought and the now prevalent rains are driving this growth. While less desirable aesthetically, these consequences are not detrimental to the health of the lake.

For the next steps, we have been working with outside vendors to develop programs to start to mitigate the nutrients and thus reduce the secondary effects of the control measures targeting blue-green algae. These efforts are more costly, and we are seeking ways to get financial assistance.

Until we move into the next phase of our plan, we will need to find ways to adapt to the changes. Many have indicated that they are manually harvesting the filamentous algae. It should be reminded that you should use precautions such as protective clothing and gloves while removing the clumps. Also, dispose of the material properly so that it does not come in contact with children or pets while it is drying. Filamentous algae is not toxic, but the clumps can contain other materials which some people may be sensitive to. We will also look for other ways of reducing the filamentous algae.

We don’t believe that anyone wants to go back to a blue-green algae dominated lake. It will take some patience, and maybe a little work, to get through this stage in our journey. Enjoy the lake!

No Wake and Wakesurfing on the Lake

By D. Ernes – Lake Management Committee

One of the more popular activities on the lake is boating. Just look at the lake during a nice weekend, and you will see a number of different types of boats, engaged in different types of activities. While each of us has their own idea of a pleasurable day on the lake, we must also consider one important effect of boating – the wake. It can have significant impacts. They include 1) risks to the safety of other boaters and swimmers, 2) the impact of the wake energy on the docks and boats tied off at lake front homeowner’s properties, and 3) the resuspension of sediment at the bottom of the lake which can cause an increase in phosphorous, fueling algal blooms.

Throughout the lake there are no wake zones. In these areas one must operate at no wake speeds which is defined as traveling at the minimum speed necessary for steerage of the vessel. But don’t get tied up on terminology – it really just means going slow. No wake buoys are placed at the entry of the coves, which are the shallowest parts of the lake. They also are usually the narrowest areas in the lake. Therefore, each of the negative aspects of wakes are amplified in these areas. The other important no wake zone is along the shoreline in the main body of the lake where you should travel at no wake speeds within 75 feet of the shoreline. There are a few studies that verify that by obeying no wake areas, negative impacts are minimized.

Recently, there has been some discussion on the impacts of wake boats. While the boat itself is not a problem, certain activities such as wakesurfing are of interest. There are a number of states, including Michigan and Wisconsin, who are looking at limiting wakesurfing and the impacts it has relative to a standard powerboat. One study found that wakesurfing generates 2-17 times the amount of wake energy as a standard outboard. And the distance it takes for the wake to dissipate is 2-3 times that of a standard boat. The wake energy downwards is also magnified, which can scour the lake bottom. The resuspended sediment can stay dispersed for hours, increasing the nutrients that can be released.

Each of the negative effects of boating on our lake and on our fellow resident’s property is magnified by several times while wakesurfing. It is suggested that, if you are operating your wake boat for wakesurfing or wakeboarding, that you try to confine the activities to the center of the lake, where it is the deepest.

We are working hard to develop a Lake Management Plan to improve the lake today and into the future. Anyone who chooses to ignore the no wake guidelines regardless of the type of watercraft, are making this task more difficult and more expensive for you and everyone else in the community.

BE WAKE RESPONSIBLE

2nd Half Algae Treatment Planned for Monday, July 10

To complete the whole lake algaecide treatment, the second half is tentatively scheduled for July 10th. This will include the northern end of the lake starting  just north of the beaches. The following steps will be done similar to what was done for the first first treatment.

*Please note that with the uncertainty in the weather,  should these plans change, we will let you know as soon as possible. 

1) The lake level will be assessed and if necessary, it may be lowered to comply with the Ohio EPA requirements for this application. Please adjust your boat tie downs to accommodate the water level change. 

2) Please turn off all fountains or other devices that agitate the lake water in the application area on Monday AM.  They may be turned back on Wednesday, July 12.

3) The application will be applied during the day of July 10. 

4) Please refrain from any activities on the lake, including boating, jet skis, etc, starting Monday, July 10 to allow the treatment to be effective and to spread in a predictable manner. Boat traffic may resume on Wednesday, July 12. The boat ramp will be closed from Monday AM through Wednesday AM.

5) While the lake is deemed safe following the application, we are closing the beaches Monday July 10 through Thursday as a precautionary measure. Swimming and other activities involving direct contact with the lake should be avoided during this time. While unlikely, if you observe any undispersed product (a powder with a bluish tint), avoid direct contact and let the office know where it is observed.

6) Do not water your property with water from the lake during this period. While these steps may be inconvenient, they are necessary to insure the best chance for a successful application. 

Good job so far!

By Richard D. Gainar, CEBS – Lake Management Committee

The Canada Goose goslings began hatching out around May 1st.  We did a pretty good job neutralizing the goose nests that were located earlier thanks to your support and reports we received from concerned residents.  Now and through June is the time to be vigilant in watching for goslings and begin harassing them the day they show up.

According to Geoffery Westerfield of the ODNR, harassing the goslings is very important for limiting the number of resident geese on our lake during the rest of the year.  Separating the goslings from their parents even for a short time is an effective form of harassment.  Geoffery advises that whenever you can, try to separate goslings from the adult geese by stepping between them shooing the goslings away from the adults by waving your arms and making loud noises (do not make contact).  “Don’t stop anywhere short of the geese leaving your property”, says Geoffery.  Keep up the consistent and persistent harassment. Your goal is to send the message to the adult geese that your property is not a safe place to raise their young and to the goslings that Lake Roaming Rock can be a scary place.

June 1st is an important date.  Geese will begin to molt (i.e. lose their flight feathers) around June 1st.  If you don’t harass them off the property by that date, it becomes very difficult to remove them and you will likely be stuck with the geese till mid-July.

Geese excrement is a contributor to the E. coli levels in our lake.  In addition, it provides excess nutrients that feed the algae and weeds.  We love our geese, but a few less wouldn’t hurt either. 

Thanks for being lake responsible!

Resident Canada Geese

By Richard D. Gainar, CEBS – Lake Management Committee

Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) are a modern success story for wildlife management. In Ohio, there are several races that migrate through the state in the early spring and late fall, but the giant Canada goose is the race that commonly nests and breeds in Ohio. True to its name, the giant Canada goose is the largest of all the races; a full grown adult averages 11–13 pounds. These local geese are often referred to as “resident geese” and have limited to no migration patterns. These resident geese populations are mostly responsible for the conflicts and problems associated with geese today. 

At one time, numbers of Canada geese were in decline.  However, time and the actions of various wildlife agencies have brought their numbers in Ohio to well over 100,000 individuals.  Unfortunately, this dramatic increase in population has resulted in some negative consequences including contributing to excess nutrients and bacteria in our lake which encourage nuisance weeds and harmful algae. 

Did you ever wonder how the geese that are congregating on our beaches and in your backyard are affecting the ecology of our lake?  Considering each goose can produce 1 to 2 pounds of droppings each day, and a giant Canada goose may poop 28 times a day, it doesn’t look good for homeowners – or our lake.

By April we have seen geese pair up to select nesting sites typically found near the lake within direct sight of the water.  To limit geese production your Lake Management Committee notes these nest sites for a timely visit by ODNR-licensed individuals to addle the eggs.  Addling is a humane process to prevent eggs from hatching while encouraging geese to continue incubating their eggs and not re-nesting.  If eggs or nest are removed before the goose has satisfied the nesting instinct, it will simply build another nest and lay additional eggs.  Association residents that discover goose nests on their properties or nearby recreational areas could report the sites by email or telephone to the RRA Office (it@roamingshores.org or 440-563-3170) to arrange for egg addling.

You will be hearing much more about geese conflict management and damage prevention strategies from your Lake Management Committee this summer including some techniques to help keep the resident geese moving along out of our area. 

Love our lake and be lake responsible.

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