By D.Ernes – Lake Management Committee

We are slowly transitioning from winter to spring. Our lawns are also transitioning from the dormant state, where it is an off shade of brown, into the lush green we all want to enjoy. The important thing we each need to realize is that if we are not careful, our efforts to get a green lawn will contribute to us experiencing a green lake.

Grass, and blue-green algae, both need phosphorus to grow. For our lawns, phosphorous may be introduced as a component of fertilizers. But is it necessary? An inexpensive soil test will be a good idea before you apply any fertilizer. It is possible that if the pH of the soil is out of balance, it can inhibit the grasses’ ability to absorb nutrients. If this is the case, it could lead to over fertilizing and the excess nutrient will just end up in the lake after rain events.

Luckily, over time, most commercial fertilizers have reduced or eliminated the level of phosphorous that is in their products. If one looks at the bags, the three numbers appearing on each bag is the level of Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium. So, it is best to select products where the middle number is zero.

There have been a lot of articles stating that, for established lawns, it is not always necessary to add phosphorous to our lawns. This is especially true if one mulches the grass clippings, which returns the phosphorous the grass already contains back into the soil.

There may be a need to use phosphorous when first establishing a lawn. In this case, the use of Starter Fertilizers may come into play. Make sure that you do NOT select this type of product for an established lawn. Even when using Starter Fertilizers, an inexpensive soil test will let you know if it is even necessary. Also, when applying this or any fertilizer, proper application techniques (avoiding over spraying on impervious surfaces, and not applying it up to the waters edge) will help to reduce the likelihood of excess phosphorous in the lake.

When mowing your lawn, the best option is to mulch the grass clipping back into the lawn. If this is not desired, do not blow the clippings into the street or, more importantly, into the lake. The latter can incur a fine. If you see your neighbor or a lawn service employee discharging clippings (or debris for that matter) into the lake, talk to them and encourage them to use another approach. Use the compost site which is the best location for your yard waste.

These suggestions are valid whether you live on the lake or off. Our community is roughly 1500 acres. And we are the closest part of the watershed to the lake. If we all do our part, it will have an impact of the lake. Remember that every ounce of phosphorous that you add to the lake can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to eliminate. If you use a commercial company to handle the lawn treatments or maintenance, make sure that they follow practices to reduce their impact on our lake.

BE LAKE RESPONSIBLE

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

By G. Dixon – Lake Management Committee

“No Wake Zones” help keep our lake safe and provide lower impact to the enriched sediment.  It is important to understand the consequences for not maintaining a minimum steerage and the impact this has on increase costs to correct the algae blooms as well as the costs to maintain a healthy lake.  Watercraft all have a means of moving the vessel through the water.  Whether it is a jet, propeller, oar, or paddle,  they all rely on some means to push the vehicle forward, or in reverse. This action creates a wake which moves the water down as well as horizontally away from the vessel.  In our lake, the nutrients that are suspended in sediment particles are stirred up into the water by this wake, bringing nitrogen and phosphorus to the warm surface and feeding algae blooms.  Picture a snow globe: shake the globe and snow is resuspended in the water, let it settle and the snow returns to the bottom.  So, it is the same with our lake, especially in the shallow areas like the south end of our lake when a boat is traveling through the water.

Traveling at idling speed in “No Wake Zones” is the best prevention.  Rule of thumb is to look behind your boat; If you are unable to see any disturbance of the water, you are traveling at a speed with low water movement.  Some think that maintaining a certain speed like our roadways is important, but it is truly up to the pilot of the vessel to determine the minimum speed of their boat for safe travel.  While we state a maximum speed limit, the faster one goes, the greater the wake and the greater the damage. And in those areas so designated, you must maintain “No Wake” limits. And remember, this includes within 75 feet of the shoreline.   If your boat is designed to create a wake then it probably would be prudent to avoid the “No Wake Zones” with your boat.  If your boat is traveling faster than necessary in the “No Wake Zone”, or any where on the lake for that matter, there is an equal amount of water traveling in the other direction, causing shoreline erosion, stirring up the nutrients and thus contributing to the algae blooms.  Please use good judgement and Save Our Lake!

Be Lake Responsible

By D. Ernes – Lake Management Committee

The other day my wife and I were visiting a local MetroPark when we encountered two individuals wading in a pond along the shoreline. Always the inquisitive person, we asked what they were doing. They indicated that they were looking for evidence of tubers (root system) from Hydrilla. Hydrilla is an invasive aquatic plant that is prolific. For those Star Trek fans, think Tribbles on steroids. They can take over a water body, and strangle all other natural plants, also causing issues with fishery and recreation. You may recall that a few years ago, our lake was part of a MetroPark survey looking for the incidence of Hydrilla. Luckily none was found.

As the conversation continued, we asked how it got into the pond. The answer was from cross-contamination, mainly by people boating on a lake that is infested and then bringing their boat to another lake without proper cleaning. They even mentioned that their weighters were cleaned as the root systems can end up in the soles and be transferred. A single tuber a few inches long is enough to cause it to spread and take over a waterbody. Once it is present, it requires a massive effort (and money) with chemicals and other means to rid the infestation.

We are ramping up our boating season, with Memorial Day just around the corner. It is imperative that, if you use your boat at other lakes, that you diligently clean all exposed surfaces and any wet wells to ensure that nothing gets into our lake. One small hitchhiker could be a disaster for our lake. We already have some invasive species on our lake. Believe me, we do not want this one. Tell your friends especially if you know that they visit other lakes. This is definitely one of those times that we all need to …

BE LAKE RESPONSIBLE

By D.Ernes – Lake Management Committee

We are entering the season to get back into our yards. At the latest Board Meeting, I briefly went over a tri-fold pamphlet, available in the RRA office. It details a number of practices that can help individuals to reduce their nutrient footprint. And as we know, nutrients, especially phosphorus, are the fuel for algal blooms. So, anything that we as residents can do to reduce the nutrients entering the lake will be another step in our efforts to reduce blooms. This article paraphrases some of these Best Practices that each of us can do.

Fertilizer – If you must use lawn fertilizer, use phosphorous-free and slow-release nitrogen products. Most fertilizers have three numbers separated by a dash somewhere on the bag. In some cases it is in the small print. The middle number is the phosphorus content, so it’s best to use a product that has a zero here (4-0-3). The major suppliers like Scott’s have mostly moved to zero phosphorus lawn products. One thing to consider is that garden fertilizers almost exclusively have high phosphorus content. So if you use this product, please use it sparingly. Take advantage of test kits to insure you even need the phosphorus. 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, culvert, or, 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. (And they can be fined.)  Use the compost site which is the best location for 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. There are also a number of plants that will absorb nutrients at a greater efficiency than others. For those on the lake, break up any steep slopes that direct runoff into the lake with stones, mulched beds, etc. If you use landscaping pavers, consider porous products.

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

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 you do on your property, can affect the lake, either positively or negatively. So, each of us has a responsibility as resident of our Lake Community to …

BE LAKE RESPONSIBLE

Cheryl Fain – Lake Management Committee

The Five Ws are questions whose answers are considered basic in information gathering or problem solving. The problem is how to keep our lake healthy. Let’s consider a tree canopy.

Who: You, who are reading this article. Your actions can keep our lake healthy.

What: Trees, a critical part of a Buffer Zone or Riparian Zone. Plant them. Keep our lake healthy.

Where: Here, at Lake Roaming Rock. Keep the trees that are there or if there are none, plant some. Keep our lake healthy.

When: As soon as possible. Today. Tomorrow. Keep our lake healthy.

Why: The tree canopy becomes part of the natural filtration system for our beautiful lake.

We must curtail removing them from our lots. Instead, leave as many trees as possible, as their roots become filters for nutrients and silt. Plant them, especially the ones that are part of our North East Ohio ecosystem. Even though warnings are out there that our climate change has already started to influence the types of trees that can be sustained in warmer weather. Here are some suggestions that do well: Bitternut Hickory, Black Oak, Black Walnut, Bur Oak, Eastern Red Cedar, and Scarlet Oak. I found this information on the Holden Arboretum web page. They list “New Neighbors” which will adapt to the weather changes. They also list the endemic trees that are in trouble. It’s also important to remember that trees not only release oxygen but also consume carbon dioxide.

Sometimes, a sixth item is included with the 5W’s.  

How: Do not remove all trees from your lots. If possible plant trees as part of your buffer zone from the watershed that surrounds our lake.

[Chairman’s note: If you have vacant lots, remember that if you clear a lot, and you do not start construction within two weeks, you must plant grass, as stated in part of the Village Ordnance on erosion control.]

Love the lake and be lake responsible. And Keep our Lake Healthy.

By Richard D. Gainar, CEBS – Lake Management Committee

Several of your Lake Management Members have already written to illustrate the significant value of buffer zones on our lakefront properties.  Some residents have contacted me with the worry that their properties will not be attractive with natural plants.  Creating and maintaining natural buffer zones along the shore does not mean your property has to look unkempt.  Buffers and upland islands of trees, shrubs, and flowers can bring natural beauty to your yard.  Additionally, tall native plants typically have deep root systems.  They will slow erosion, decrease ice damage, increase rain infiltration, and act as a barrier to discourage geese from walking (as well as other things…) on your shoreline property.

Your shoreline is part of a larger community and ecosystem.  Individual choices by many have cumulative impacts on a lake and its ecosystem.  Your actions can restore or degrade the quality of the ecosystem.  Restoring your lakeshore to a more natural condition is important, even if your neighbors are not restoring theirs, because it can help wildlife habitat, water quality, and fish. (Chairman’s note: You can see more examples of this idea on-line by searching for Aquascaping or Lakescaping.)

Love the lake and be lake responsible.

By D.Ernes – Lake Management Committee

One of the main activities on our lake during the summer months is boating. Arguably, it is one of the main reasons to own property on or near a lake. If you have gone to recent Board meetings and the Annual meeting, boating safety has been a major topic of discussion. This is mainly directed to the increased incidence of boaters and other powered watercraft users ignoring the no-wake areas. But there is also a negative effect of boating at fast speeds in no-wake areas on the health of the lake.

As the lake depth becomes shallower, such as along the shore or in the coves, the action of the propeller can stir up the sediment on the lake bottom. This can increase the turbidity of the lake and release more nutrients to the lake surface, which can increase the likelihood of algal blooms. It can also disturb the plants and animals who may reside along the lake bottom that are vital to the lake. It can take up to 24 hours for the sediment to resettle on the lake bottom. The literature states that turbulence from a propeller can reach up to 10 feet below the water surface. This can reach even further, and with more energy, with wake boats. In addition to this, most of the lake-front properties have retaining walls, which are effective at reflecting the turbulence back out into the lake, and cause more mixing if one is speeding too close to the shore.

Some wake boats can have another impact. Depending on the design, they may lower the rear of the boat by injecting lake water into a ballast. If one moves this type of boat from another lake to ours without flushing these ballasts, it is possible that invasive species of plants, and animals can be introduced into our lake. This is what happened in Lake Erie with the zebra mussels from cargo boats.

So, obeying the no-wake zones in the coves and within 75 feet of the shores is a good idea. It makes it safer for those who may use kayaks and paddleboards as well as swimmers. It also helps to protect the health of the lake.

BE LAKE RESPONSIBLE