Dave Ernes – Lake Management Committee

As many have been noticing, the lake is experiencing a return of blue-green algal blooms. We have been monitoring the situation and have obtained some additional testing results. What we are experiencing is the equivalent of the perfect storm.

We have discussed in the past the that the lake stratifies during the summer. This results in the release of phosphorous from the lake bottom sediment in the lake below 12-15 feet, which typically Read more

Update: The treatment was applied as planned on 8-26. All lake activities may resume as of 8-28. Have a great and safe Labor Day Weekend!

Conditions on the lake have resulted in a decision to schedule an algaecide treatment on the northern half of the lake for Tuesday, August 26th. This includes a line from about Sugar Creek north. The southern half of the lake will not be treated at this time. Therefore, those in the untreated areas, please Read more

Update: Lake algae treatment was performed as scheduled on Aug 13th. Please no boating or fountain use until Friday, lake swimming is not advised until Saturday morning.

Conditions on the lake have resulted in a decision to schedule an algaecide treatment on the southern half of the lake for August 13th. This includes a line from about Sugar Creek south. Because of EPA requirements, the northern half of the lake will not be treated at this time. Therefore, those Read more

7/15 Update: The treatment has been applied. Please stay off the lake to allow the treatment to be effective.

This past week, we have received reports of an algal bloom forming in the northern half of the lake. This was also reported by our maintenance department. Therefore, we are scheduling an algaecide treatment on the northern half of the lake for July 15th. This includes a line from Sugar Creek north. Because of EPA requirements, the southern half of Read more

Boaters take notice, the RomeRock Association has deployed ultrasonic buoys for the season.

What are the ultrasonic buoys? These buoys use solar panels to power ultrasonic emitters that are suspended in the water. The sound waves disrupt the ability of blue-green algae to rise to the surface, depriving them of the sunlight they need to survive. As a result, they will die and drop to the bottom of the lake. This is a non-chemical alternative to the algaecides we Read more

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 Read more

By D.Ernes – Lake Management Committee

Some of you may have seen the recent articles in the paper and on the news about pets (mainly dogs) dying after exposure to algae in lakes and ponds. I want to relay some information I have found on this issue.

First, the articles 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 Read more

By Tim Langer, David Ernes and Richard D. Gainar, CEBS – Lake Management Committee

If you have seen the news articles and reports about the severity of algal blooms in Lake Erie and their predictions, you can imagine how much attention this topic is getting at the State and Federal level. As your Lake Management Committee has mentioned before, most of the regulations and training are focused for Northwest Ohio and those watersheds feeding Lake Erie’s Western Basin. Within Read more

By David Ernes – Lake Management Committee

If you recall, not all algae are bad. Green algae usually pose no significant concerns, other than their aesthetic appearance. On the other hand, blue-green algae have the potential to generate toxins that can be harmful. How does one decide if what they see is green algae or blue-green algae? Unfortunately, the only accurate method is to examine the organism under magnification and assess its structure by experts in this type of Read more

  By David Ernes – Lake Management Committee

The only way to make informed decisions regarding lake management is to have accurate data. Whether it is the level of nutrients, or toxins, or even a Secchi disk depth measurement, each value requires testing. Testing itself is a multistep process. It involves (1) planning – to decide what to test; (2) sampling; (3) the actual analysis, and finally (4) the interpretation – or what does it all mean. Each step Read more