Dave Ernes – Lake Management Committee

This article summarizes the Lake Management activities that were completed this past year. This is a brief overview, with more information available in previous articles available on the RRA website.

Algae Control:  One of the main focuses of the Lake Management Plan (LMP) is to control the appearance of harmful algal blooms or HABs. In 2021, this was accomplished with the use of VodaGuard C, a copper based product added to the lake to kill the cyanobacteria responsible for the HABs. This was continued this past year. Unlike 2021, we did not see the reappearance of the blooms later in the summer. While there are several reasons for this, one was that we had fewer storms.  Nutrients continued to be released from sediments in the lake bottom, but the lack of rain events prevented it from being mixed throughout the water column. As a result , a second treatment was not needed. The in-lake testing program conducted by EnviroScience, and reported in their recent report, verified that this year’s water quality was improved over last year. As we evaluate the data year-to-year, we can learn more about how our lake behaves and better plan for issues as they develop.

Watershed: External sources of nutrients arrive by run-off from the watershed which enters the lake from our individual properties, as well as via the various streams. The largest of these is Rock Creek to the south. We investigated this source in a number of activities. First, we hosted representatives from the Nature Conservancy and Ashtabula Soil and Water. They did an on-site evaluation of a section of the Rock Creek watershed and found that there are areas where a wetland has developed which is nature’s way of reducing nutrient inflows. In addition, we had testing of Rock Creek from Route 322 to the Route 6 bridge. It showed that during a “wet” period, the area identified as wetland did reduce the nutrient flow originating at 322. During dry periods, the area tested showed a consistent nutrient load. While the wetland reduces the nutrients from the south, background level of nutrients of Rock Creek is still the highest of the other watershed inputs.

Weekly Testing:  The beaches are tested weekly for the presence of bacteria (E.Coli) and at a different schedule for algal toxins. Overall, the bacteria results this past year were lower than they had been in the previous two years, and with fewer results above the EPA target levels. Some of this may be attributable to the use of lasers to discourage geese from frequenting this area. The goose droppings are a source of bacteria (and nutrients) in the beach area, as well as throughout the lake. The algal toxin levels measured were at the lowest level observed in recent years, with all well below the EPA Advisory Limit. This reflects our ability to control the algal blooms discussed above.

Fish Survey:  This year we had a fish survey conducted by Jones Fish. Overall, the fishery was stated to be healthy. There is a wide assortment of species from bluegill and sun fish to the preferred largemouth bass. While the latter were found to be healthy, the results did show a population “hole” in the two-three year olds. The cause was not identified but was suspected to be due to weather-induced issues during spawning. The most recent generation did not appear to show this decrease. We anticipate following up on this again in a few years.

In summary, the year 2022 was a good year for our lake as a whole with regard to water quality. This does not diminish the fact that some areas still have issues. It is not possible to predict what we may see in 2023, but we have experts available to monitor the lake water quality and make recommendations should they see any issues develop. You too can help by reporting anything of concern at romerocklmc@gmail.com. Our thanks to those of you who are helping us by following many of of the best practices we have reported.  As we move forwards, we can all be successful as long as everyone does their part to …

Be Lake Responsible

By David Ernes – Lake Management Committee

In order to reduce the incidence of algal blooms, one must reduce the nutrient load that feeds it. But first you need to know where to focus your efforts.  That is where a Nutrient Budget comes into play, something we recently contracted for Lake Roaming Rock. This is basically a modeling study whereby the various sources of nutrients (primarily phosphorous and nitrogen) are characterized. This includes measurements for both the internal sources (mainly from legacy sediment), watershed sources (run-off and stream inflows) as well as waterfowl and precipitation contributions. The results indicated that the former two constitute the major sources.

The internal loading portion was determined by collecting surface sediment samples from three location in the deeper areas of the lake, followed by analysis of the types of phosphorous detected. The results found elevated levels of phosphorous bound to iron that can be released under low oxygen conditions such as observed for our lake. This means that by reducing this source of phosphorous we can substantially reduce the growth of algae. The overall load from the sediment can be used to make cost-benefit calculations for various remediation approaches available such as aeration, alum, and others.  Several recent articles discussed these approaches.  The data also showed that the organic content of this sediment was only 11-13%, considered to be low. This means that the level of lake “slime” (a term often used to describe the degrading mass of leaves, plants, etc. on the lake bottom) often targeted by some vendors, may not be as effective for our lake.

The external loading is primarily from the watershed. This represents over 40,000 acres of land, 86 times the size of the lake. Literature data indicates that 42% of the watershed is agricultural.  In more detail, this area is subdivided into 86 defined sub-watersheds. From the modeling data for each, it is possible to identify sections of the watershed showing higher nutrient loadings. In this way, we can focus our efforts for nutrient reduction. This is important as the estimates suggest that 62% of the total phosphorous load to our lake is from the watershed.

With the recent appointment of our Lake Advisor, plans are advancing for them to make recommendations for short-term treatments for 2021 as we move to the ultimate long-term goal of improving our greatest asset. This Nutrient model is one more tool to be used to select the one(s) best suited for our lake. Remember…

Be Lake Responsible

Edited by Dave Ernes – Lake Management Committee

Once again it is time for the annual falling leaves article. By the time this article is published, we may be days or weeks away from the time when the trees become a painting of fall colors. The problem starts once they fall.

Every year, it is a good idea to remind residents that blowing their leaves into the lake is wrong, and that you can be fined. (The fines range from $100 for first offense to $300 and loss of membership rights for the third.) This also applies to grass clippings and other lawn debris.

Why is this the case? Because leaves are high in nutrients. The Planet Natural Research Center web site states that 50-80 percent of the nutrients that trees absorb end up in their leaves. If the leaves end up in the lake, they will decompose, releasing their stored nutrients that are then available in the fall or next spring to trigger algal blooms.

If you think this is an issue just for those living on the lake, leaves accumulating in the drainage culverts in off-lake properties can breakdown and the resulting high nutrient “tea” will flow into the lake through fall rain events.

What you CAN do:

• Some articles suggest leaving leaves on the lawn as it becomes dormant during the winter. However, too thick a mat could result in mold formation and thick mats can smother the lawn when it tries to awaken in the spring.
• Most articles suggest that you mulch your leaves when mowing.  Mowing more often in the fall will allow your mulching mower to do the hard work for you. When they are mulched into small pieces, the nutrients can be extracted much easier by water or rain and become absorbed by the soil (not the lake!) reducing the need to use as much commercial fertilizer in the spring. And it’s free!
• The old answer of course is to bag your leaves each fall.  You can always have your landscaper do it for you, or a young student looking for some quick cash. Whoever does it, they should all follow the guidelines of the Association.
• If you do collect the leaves, and don’t want to use them to protect your plants or to produce compost, you can dispose of them, along with other fall debris, in the Village’s Compost Site rather than the trash. This site is a great Roaming Shores resource! (A key can be obtained from the RRA office or Village Hall during normal hours. Special arrangements can be made to keep the key during off-hours.)

With the help of all our residents continuing to act as stewards of Lake Roaming Rock, our combined efforts will eliminate one more threat to the health of our biggest asset.

(Original Article written by Tim Langer)

Remember to Love the Lake and Be Lake Responsible

By D.Ernes – Lake Management Committee

We are all going through many new experiences as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Everyone is  doing things differently, if at all. Our focus, as it should be, is on the health of our family, friends and neighbors. These should be paramount as we move through this historic period. As the days warm, and the trees and flowers bloom, we begin to look outside. And that includes our lake. While the situations may limit what we can do on a whole lake approach this year, we can still pay attention to the simple things that each of us can do to help protect our greatest asset. Over the years, the Lake Management Committee (LMC), has written many articles on topics that are important for our lake.  Here are a few examples of practices that can have a positive impact on our lake.

Fertilizer – If you must use fertilizer, use phosphorous-free and slow-release nitrogen products. Test your lawn first to make sure you use the proper types and amounts (this could also saves you money!). Don’t apply fertilizer prior to a major storm, as most of it will end up in the lake and not in your lawn!

Lawn maintenance – When mowing your lawn, do not blow the clippings into the street or, more importantly, into the lake. If you see your neighbor or a lawn service discharging clippings or debris (leaves, etc.) into the lake, talk to them and encourage them to use another approach. They can contact the LMC through the RRA office or our email address and we would be happy to discuss this with them if they wish.  Use the compost site which is the best location for your yard waste.

Landscaping projects – When doing a new construction or an upgrade to your lawn-scape, think of the lake. We have written articles on buffer zones and rain gardens that can be both attractive as well as help to reduce nutrient run-off into the lake. Make use of silt barriers as appropriate.

Pets – Remember to pick up after your pet both in your lawn and when walking them through the neighborhood. The waste can add nutrients into the lake and can also affect the bacteria – especially at the beaches.

Cleaning Products – This is the season to wash our cars, our boats and maybe the siding on our house. Some detergents will be detrimental to the lake. There is a list of “green” products on the RRA website that can do the job while being good to the lake.

Overall, think about what you do outside. What is in your yard, may end up in the lake, even if you do not live right on the lake. The watershed for our lake is very large, so everyone should think about this. Just remember – the health of the lake effects the health of our community.

BE LAKE RESPONSIBLE and STAY SAFE

By Richard D. Gainar, CEBS – Lake Management Committee

Canada Geese are a valuable natural resource that provides recreation and enjoyment to bird watchers, hunters, and the public. The sight of the distinctive V-formation of a flock of Canada geese always brings a special thrill. Their calls herald the changing seasons. But in recent years, flocks of local-nesting or “resident” geese have become year-round inhabitants of our recreational areas, waterways, and residential areas, where they can cause significant problems.

Canada Geese deposit their feces anywhere the urge hits them. They too often like the same areas we do – swimming beaches, lawns, docks, and boat launches. During the day, a goose drops one pound of dung. In addition to contributing to E. coli levels in the lake, geese are also major contributors of phosphorus and nitrogen in lakes and waterways that encourage algae and weeds to grow rapidly.

In January and February migratory geese are moving through our area with some of the breeding age geese breaking away from the flocks in early preparation of the nesting season. These geese begin to pair up and separate themselves from the migratory flock. By March geese are paired and begin to set up nesting territories laying their eggs in early April and incubating the eggs late in the month. Goose eggs begin to hatch in May. In June adult geese begin their molting and, like their goslings, are unable to fly.

Flight feathers grow and mature on both adult and young geese enabling them to fly in mid-July. July is an important time of the year for us marking the beginning of our annual ‘Goosebusters’ campaign to harass the geese encouraging them to make their home elsewhere. Some geese find our lake too comfortable and safe and will, unfortunately, become “resident” geese forming flocks in August and September to stay for the season. Migratory geese move out of our area in October through December.

Your Lake Management Committee thanks you for your efforts last year reporting nesting sites and harassing geese to move them along. You’ve made a noticeable contribution to benefit our lake community.

Love our lake and be lake responsible.

By David Ernes – Lake Management Committee

You may have heard a lot of discussion lately on ‘developing a Lake Management Plan’. But just what is it? According to the North American Lake Management Society, “A lake and/or watershed management plan is a dynamic document that identifies goals and action items for the purpose of creating, protecting and/or maintaining desired conditions in a lake and its watershed for a given period of time.” No two plans are the same. In general they address some or all of the following issues – management of aquatic species, fishery, recreational activities and watersheds as well as protection of shorelines, and water quality. Many of these activities have actually been on-going since the creation of Lake Roaming Rock. You can read about some of those activities from Carolyn Tharp’s excellent history available on the RRA web site. These range from control of shoreline erosion by retaining wall requirements early in the life of the lake to the on-going dredging operations conducted by Dan Mullins and his team. There have also been a number of water quality studies done by several agencies over the years. This body of information allows us to understand many aspects of our lake from vegetation to sediment deposition to water quality.

So, where are we in this process? As in the past, the LMC continues to coordinate testing of the lake for bacteria and toxins. At the same time, the LMC, along with the Environmental Advocacy Club, are working with our consultants and other experts to investigate options to be considered for this plan, with the primary objective of a positive impact on the lake.

A management plan is not necessarily fast. When one is dealing with nearly 54 years of environmental and human impacts on the lake, it is not surprising that it will not be reversed in a few weeks or months. Also, every option has advantages and disadvantages and it is the balance that has the best chance for success. Just remember, we are talking about 2.5 billion gallons of water. With everyone working together, and understanding the importance of the process, we can move forward to ensuring that our lake is something to be enjoyed for years to come.

BE LAKE RESPONSIBLE

By David Ernes – Lake Management Committee

A frozen lake is just one more sign that winter has come to Roaming Shores. It presents a frozen snapshot of the beauty of the lake that has an almost alien quality to it. A lake’s “winter” season is not usually associated with December 21^st to March 21^st, but is often based on the dates that the lake becomes fully ice covered. Once the surface of the lake is frozen, the entire ecosystem under the ice changes to cope with the colder temperatures.

The microscopic animals (zooplankton) and photosynthetic organisms (phytoplankton) produce thick-walled resistant cells, which allows them to survive until spring. Some species of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) can survive at the cold temperatures by become cannibals and consuming other algae species for food they will not get from the sun. It is unlikely that they will form blooms since the conditions are not ideal, although it is not impossible.

If the algae do not completely become dormant, they may actually produce oxygen, which would be beneficial to the fish, who also share this space under the ice. If not, fish normally seek the warmer waters under the ice and can survive as long as the oxygen levels in the water are adequate. They likely migrate to the sections in the lake that are the deepest, to have the best chances for survival. Since they are not warm blooded, their metabolism slows and their activity level decreases, requiring less energy to survive. This continues until the ice melts and the water starts to warm up again.

Aquatic plants can actually handle the winter better than their terrestrial cousins if they are protected under the water. The main body of the plant dies, but the roots can survive. Some will form nodules, which can store energy while they wait for the sun to reappear. However, if they are exposed to the cold air, they may dry out and even the roots can then freeze. Lakes who perform a winter drawdown use this behavior as a method to reduce nuisance plants.

The most important aspect of the lake in winter is ice thickness. Remember, it may look solid, but with 450 acres of surface area, conditions may differ from one location to another. Some residents may use “ice cutters”, resulting in open water even if the rest of the lake is frozen. If you do venture out on the ice, use extreme caution and don’t do it alone.

(Some information presented in this article was extracted from Lakeline Vol 34, #4 (2014))

BE LAKE RESPONSIBLE And HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON

By David Ernes – Lake Management Committee

The Cleveland MetroParks Aquatic Invasive Species Program involves an assessment of around 200 bodies of water in Ohio’s Lake Erie basin. Our lake was selected as one of those locations. We have received the final report titled “2019 Aquatic Invasive Plant Survey at Lake Roaming Rock”. The intent of this report was to review the results of a survey completed on June 17, 2019 that involved identifying the plant species detected at 15 sampling locations throughout our lake. To get a perspective on this, in 2010, EnviroScience did an aquatic vegetation study which involved 190 locations. The MetroParks study focused primarily on the marina and Plum Creek Cove to the north and several locations south of Fisherman’s Cove. The purpose was to identify the spread of invasive aquatic plants throughout the Lake Erie basin.

On an average, 4.5 different plant species were detected at each location on our lake, the most found at the marina. Those plants present with the highest frequency were Eurasian water-milfoil [EWM] and coontail, both present at 93% of the locations. These same species were detected in the 2010 study, but the EWM was present at only a low percentage (<5%). Eighteen different species of aquatic plants were detected overall, showing greater diversity than seen in 2010 (ten species). Of those detected in the current study, three are considered invasive (including EWM). Hydrilla, the most difficult invasive species to remove from a lake, was not detected. Very good news!

The report does include several aquatic vegetation management options. They include the use of grass carp, continuation of the use of the weed harvester, and chemical control. It was clearly stated that the MetroParks program is not intended to advise as to a recommended course of action.

The last part of the report discussed prevention of further invasive species becoming an issue at our lake. They mentioned the Ohio Clean Marina Program with a Clean Boater Pledge. These programs are intended to reduce the chance for “hitchhikers” from entering our lake from other locations. They also mention that some local aquatic plant nurseries have been found to be contaminated with invasive species that are then used in decorative water gardens or rain gardens. So, due diligence is highly recommended should you use your boat at other bodies of water or plan on intentionally planting aquatic plants around your property. More will be coming with regard to this important issue.

While not a comprehensive study, the report gives us some valuable information. If you wish to read the full report, it can be found here.

[If you have any questions on this study or other issues for the Lake Management Committee, we now have a dedicated email address. Send your questions to romerocklmc@gmail.com. We will get back with you with an answer.]

Edited by Dave Ernes – Lake Management Committee

Fall is in the air. So too are the myriad of leaves which end up covering every flat surface on your property. The question is: what is the best thing that can be done with them.

Some residents may be inclined to simply blow their leaves into the lake or culverts.  After all, Mother Nature does this on her own. However, unlike Mother Nature, you can be fined if you intentionally blow leaves into the lake. (The fines range from $100 for first offense to $300 and loss of membership rights for the third.) This also applies to grass clippings and other lawn debris.

Why is this important? Nutrients fuel algal blooms. ‘Nuff said? The Planet Natural Research Center web site states that 50-80 percent of the nutrients that trees absorb end up in the leaves. So, if you think that your tree is helping to reduce the nutrients ending up in the lake, make sure that the leaves don’t end up there or you have defeated the purpose.  

If you think this is an issue just for those living on the lake, leaves accumulating in the drainage culverts in off-lake properties can breakdown and the resulting high nutrient “tea” will flow into the lake.

What you CAN do:

• Some articles suggest leaving leaves on the lawn as it becomes dormant during the winter. However, too thick a mat could result in mold formation and thick mats can smother the lawn when it tries to awaken in the spring. Make sure culverts are clear if you choose this option.
• Most articles suggest that you mulch your leaves when mowing. Mowing more often in the fall will allow your mulching mower to do the hard work.  When they are mulched into small pieces, the nutrients can be extracted much easier by water or rain and become absorbed by the soil (not the lake!) reducing the need to use as much commercial fertilizer.  And it’s free!
• The old answer of course is to bag your leaves each fall. Or you can always have your landscaper do it for you. They should all follow the guidelines of the Association.
• If you do collect the leaves, and don’t want to use them to protect your plants or to produce compost, you can dispose of them, along with other fall debris, in the Association Compost Site rather than the trash. This site is a great Roaming Shores resource! (A key can be obtained from the RRA office during normal hours. Special arrangements can be made to keep the key during off-hours.)

With the help of all our residents continuing to act as stewards of Lake Roaming Rock, our combined efforts will eliminate one more threat to the health of our biggest asset.

(Original Article written by Tim Langer)

Remember to Love the Lake and Be Lake Responsible