Algae Treatment Scheduled for August 21
Lake Treatment Aug 21
By D.Ernes – Lake Management Committee
Since the last algae treatment, we have experienced a massive storm system that dropped significant rain, caused gale force winds and knocked out power, internet and in some cases cell service to a portion of our community. We have some recent data that shows that this event also had a significant impact on the water quality and conditions of the lake, especially in the northern end. This may be the cause of the bloom reports made by residents, our consultants, and the LMC team since that event.
While lake conditions can vary from day-to-day, after an evaluation of all available information, a decision was made to implement another algae treatment, this time in the northern half of the lake where most of the reports have been received and the water quality was most significantly impacted. Scheduling a treatment involves many moving parts and can not be done at moments notice. While there may be some disruptions, we have tried to minimize them.
In the meantime, it is necessary to repeat a statement that is made with every weekly testing summary, at most Board meetings, and in several articles.
AVOID DIRECT CONTACT WITH AN ACTIVE BLOOM.
This is especially important for the young, those with compromised health conditions, and even your pets, who can not read this warning.
The following steps will be done. *Please note that, should these plans change, we will let you know as soon as possible.
1) The lake level will be monitored and, if necessary, the lake will be lowered.
2) Please turn off all fountains or other devices that agitate the lake water north of Sugar Creek on Wednesday, August 21. They may be turned back on Friday morning, August 23.
3) Please refrain from any activities on the lake, including boating, jet skis, etc., starting Wednesday, August 21 to allow the treatment to be effective and to spread in a predictable manner. All activities may resume on the morning of Friday, August 23.
4) While the lake is deemed safe following the application, we are closing the beaches on Wednesday morning, August 21 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. Normal activities can resume on Friday, August 23.
5) Do not water your property with water from the lake during this 48-hour period.
Lake Management Update – After Treatment Comments
By D.Ernes – Lake Management Committee
This past Thursday, we completed the treatment of about half of the lake, from the south to around Beach 1. This treatment was needed as a result of an increase in the severity and intensity of blue-green algae in the southern end of the lake. The treatment area was adjusted from the original announcement due to the concern of further spread of the affected area due to around an inch of rain over a 48-hour period. The lake is a dynamic environment that can change by the hour, day or week and we need to respond accordingly.
There were reports of boat activity during the 48 hours following the treatment. This product is imbedded in a binder that allows it to float on the surface of the water for a time before it sinks, where it become bound in the lake sediment. The product is applied by trained individuals so that it can be spread by the currents in the lake, as well as the wind. Boat traffic during this period would push the product in an unpredictable manner. This could negatively impact the success of the treatment. In the future, please follow the restrictions so that we have the best chance for success.
Lake Treatment Scheduled
Update: The treatment was applied as planned on 8/1. Please no boating or swimming on the lake until Saturday morning. Thank you for your cooperation in helping our treatments be effective!
The southern area of the lake has seen an increased frequency of algal blooms over the past week. After discussions with our experts, we are scheduling a partial lake treatment for this week, as outlined below. The problem area does not include the entire southern half, so we are evaluating a partial treatment. We hope that by using this targeted approach, we may be able to do future treatments in localized areas. It is unknown if this will as effective, but it has great upside potential if it works. And it is fully expected to address the bloom in the southern end of the lake.
Flame Lake will be evaluated on Thursday and will be treated if warranted.
LAKE TREATMENT SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 1.
The following steps will be done. *Please note that with the weather predictions for this week, should these plans change, we will let you know as soon as possible.
1) The lake level will not need to be lowered as the drought has taken care of that for us.
2) Please turn off all fountains or other devices that agitate the lake water south of Sugar Creek on Thursday, August 1. They may be turned back on Saturday, August 3.
3) Please refrain from any activities on the lake, including boating, jet skis, etc, starting Thursday, August 1 to allow the treatment to be effective and to spread in a predictable manner. All activities may resume on the morning of Saturday , August 3.
4) While the lake is deemed safe following the application, we are closing the beaches on Thursday morning, August 1 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. Normal activities can resume on Saturday.
5) Do not water your property with water from the lake during this period.
As always, since the rest of the lake will not be treated at this time, please avoid direct contact with any active algal blooms.
Lake Treatment Scheduled 6/19
Update: Treatment went ahead as planned on 6/19. Please no boat traffic, water fountains, or lake swimming until Friday. Your cooperation helps the treatments be more effective. Thank you!
Lake Treatment Scheduled for
Wednesday, June 19th
This year, we implemented two new programs – enhanced monitoring of the lake using a handheld probe, and evaluation of ultrasonic buoys. The former measures key parameters including algal densities. The latter is a non-chemical means to limit algal growth and was implemented in key spots on the lake.
The probe data showed an increase in algal densities over the past few weeks. This culminated in a visible bloom observed at the southern end of the lake around Fisherman’s Cove. The weather forecast anticipates excessive temperatures, which is likely to accelerate the bloom formation. After discussions with our consultants, we are scheduling the first half of a whole lake algal treatment using VodaGuard C for Wednesday, June 19. This will include the southern half of the lake. Because of the on-going evaluation of the ultrasonic buoys, we will NOT be treating within the effective range of the buoys, which includes the area around Spanish Cove and Sugar Creek (near Beach 2). We will closely monitor these areas.
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 on or about Monday, June 17 sufficient to lower the lake level below the spillway. 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, June 19. They may be turned back on Friday, June 21.
3) The application will be applied during the day of Wednesday, June 19.
4) Please refrain from any activities on the lake, including boating, jet skis, etc, starting Wednesday, June 19 to allow the treatment to be effective and to spread in a predictable manner. Boat traffic may resume on the morning of Friday, June 21st. The boat ramp will be closed during this time period.
5) While the lake is deemed safe following the application, we are closing the beaches on Wednesday morning, June 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. Normal activities can resume on Friday.
6) Do not water your property with water from the lake during this period.
As always, since the northern half of the lake will not be treated at this time, please avoid direct contact with any active algal blooms.
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.
Algae Treatments Planned Week of June 13th
To Our Roaming Shores Neighbors,
After assessing the lake this past week, AquaDoc advises that we move forward with lake treatments to mitigate the Harmful Algae Blooms before they become a problem. The first half of the treatment is planned for Tuesday, June 14th. The second half will be applied approximately 2 weeks later. The following will occur before and after all treatments:
- The lake valve will be opened to lower the water by several inches as requested by the Ohio EPA. This will occur beginning tomorrow, Sunday, June 12th.
Please adjust your boat tie downs to accommodate the water level change. - The Vodaguard C treatment will be applied on Tuesday, June 14th.
- We are asking that there be no boat or jet ski traffic on the lake on Tuesday, June 14th and Wednesday, June 15th. Boat turbulence will risk the effectiveness of the treatment. Please stay off of the lake until Thursday the 16th.
- Please turn off all fountains and any equipment that moves water both on top and under the water surface.
- Although deemed safe for human contact, we request that there is no swimming in the lake until Friday, June 17th.
- The boat ramp will be closed during application on Tuesday, June 14th and Wednesday, June 15th.
- Do not water your property with lake water until Friday, June 17th
We expect to have a second round of treatments later in the season, depending on lake conditions. Thank you all for your cooperation and for giving these treatments the best opportunity for success.
RomeRock Association Board of Directors
Follow-up After Treatment
Some of our residents have reported seeing clumps of green and brown slime on the water surface. There are also reports of odors. Both of these are the result of the recent Vodaguard C algae treatment. In the main part of the lake, this is slowly dissipating. It is not dissipating as quickly in the coves and some protected areas. At this point, we have been told to not attempt to rake or stir up the clumps. Also, avoid contact with any floating clumps you may see. Hopefully, the forecast for rain will help to alleviate the situation. It is unfortunate that the attempt to fix one problem resulted in another. We are working with our lake advisors, Enviroscience and AquaDoc and will use this knowledge as we move forward.
As always, it is not a good idea to swim or come in contact with an Algal bloom, regardless if it is dead or active.
The Board and LMC
VodaGuard C Spot Treatment
While the main part of the lake does not show a significant bloom, this cannot be said for some of the coves. The rains we have been experiencing have been bringing nutrients into the lake. This, coupled by the calm waters in the coves and the high temperatures have caused the reappearance of blooms in some areas.
With the upcoming Holiday, AquaDoc and EnviroScience have decided that a spot treatment is warranted. Please see below the restrictions that will be in place during this treatment. (The lake will not be lowered for this small application.)
Note: While Flame Lake was not previously treated, it will be evaluated on the day of application. Therefore, please follow the same restrictions as below.
When: Tuesday, August 24
Boating restrictions: All watercraft are asked to stay off the lake on the day of application. Please turn off all fountains and bubblers as well.
Swimming restrictions: Please refrain from swimming in the lake for 72 hours (August 24 – 26). This includes manual watercraft such as kayaks. For PWC, use appropriate precautions.
Should the date change due to unforeseen circumstances, an update will be issued.
RRA Board and the Lake Management Committee
Important Information Regarding Algae Treatments
6/17/21 Update: Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this first round of algae treatments. Boating may resume at noon. Please refrain from swimming in the lake until Friday.
To Our Roaming Shores Neighbors,
We are pleased to be moving forward with lake treatments to mitigate the Harmful Algae Blooms we have experienced over the last several years. The first half of the treatment is planned for Tuesday, June 15th. The second half will be applied approximately 2 weeks later (this treatment will not affect the 4th of July weekend). The following will occur before and after all treatments:
- The lake valve will be open to lower the water by several inches as requested by the Ohio EPA. This will occur from Friday, June 11th thru Monday, June 14th.
Please adjust your boat tie downs to accommodate the water level change. - The first of two Vodaguard C treatments will be applied on Tuesday, June 15th with the second treatment approximately 2 weeks later.
- We are asking that there be no boat or jet ski traffic on the lake from Tuesday, June 15th through Wednesday, June 16th. Boat turbulence will risk the effectiveness of the treatment. Please stay off of the water until Thursday at noon.
- Please turn off all fountains and any equipment that moves water both on top and under the water surface.
- Although deemed safe for human contact, we request that there is no swimming in the lake until Friday, June 18th.
- The boat ramp will be closed during application on Tuesday, June 15th and Wednesday, June 16th.
- Do not water your property with lake water until Friday, June 18th
We expect to have a second round of treatments later in the season, depending on lake conditions. Thank you all for your cooperation and for giving these treatments the best opportunity for success.
RomeRock Association Board of Directors
Lake Management Techniques: Algaecides
By David Ernes – Lake Management Committee
In an upcoming series of articles, the Lake Management Committee will be presenting a brief overview of the mitigation options we are investigating for our lake. The purpose of these options is to reduce the frequency and intensity of harmful algal blooms (HAB). The techniques can be summarized as being mechanical, biological or chemical in nature.
Algaecides are one example of a chemical option. While they kill the algae population, they are not retained in the water column. Instead they either sink to the bottom and become mixed with the sediment or breakdown to a form that is no longer effective. As such they must be applied at a frequency that is determined based on the characteristics of each lake (e.g. nutrient sources). It is important to realize that the effectiveness and longevity observed for one lake is unlikely to be predictive for another lake, like ours.
The two most common types of Algaecides used for HAB’s are based on either copper sulfate or hydrogen peroxide. The former has been used for years and is highly effective at killing cyanobacteria. While most people have heard that copper can be toxic to fish, plants and other species, this side effect largely depends on the form of copper used and its dosage. There has been a lot of discussion lately related to the use of a new copper-based product, LakeGuard Blue, which was used successfully at Chippewa Lake. They reported no adverse effects. Since the product allows the copper to stay suspended in the water column for up to 24 hours, a lower dose can be effective.
The RRA Board, as well as members of the LMC and EAC, recently attended a Zoom call with representatives from Chippewa Lake. We also hosted a representative from BlueGreen Water Technologies, the manufacturers of the product, at our lake. Both spoke highly of the product, and its efficacy. However, there is no guarantee that we would see the same success or longevity. The supplier also advocates testing to be used in conjunction with the product for the best outcome.
The second product, often referred as SPC, or PAK 27, breaks down in contact with water forming hydrogen peroxide. The released peroxide destroys cyanobacteria and has the added effect of also breaking down the toxins that can be released when they die. SPC does not accumulate, rather it further breaks down to water and oxygen. The disadvantages are a higher cost, and the fact that it is not as effective as copper on HAB. BlueGreen has a product, LakeGuard OXY, with the same suspension properties as the Blue product and is currently being evaluated in Florida.
Overall, these products are suitable for their intended application. However, as stated above, they are not a long term solution and have some disadvantages. In fact, where copper was used on a lake over a number of years, they saw the need for increasingly higher doses to achieve the same desired effects. And the longer it is used, the greater the chance for the buildup to cause negative effects.
These are just two of the options being investigated. Their advantages and disadvantages will be compared with the others. Then, in conjunction with the results of the Nutrient Budget, and the advice of experts, we will work to develop both short and long term plans for our lake.
Be Lake Responsible
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