Fall Leaf Raking.
I recently read the procedures on monitoring dissolved oxygen which is part of our lake testing program. Coincidentally, I also ventured around our Lake on my paddle boat. I noticed a lot of leaves still on the trees , but some were already beginning to change . Soon the leaves will change color and begin to fall on the ground , eventually ending on the bottom of the lake. This prompted me to write a small piece on lake health as it relates to leaf raking in the fall. Dissolved oxygen in the water is very important to the lake and is affected by a number of things. Photosynthesis from plant life increased the oxygen along with atmospheric replenishment. As water temperature increased the amount of atmospheric oxygen that can be dissolved in water decreases. Obviously, these are things that we can't control. There is another piece that we can at least help with. Organic matter (leaves, clippings, branches, etc.) that lay on the bottom of the lake use dissolved oxygen in the decaying process. With that in mind, I encourage everyone to rake leaves and keep them out of the water as best they can. Obviously, many will blow into the water directly from the trees, or from the ground before we can rake them, but please do not pile them, burn them on the beach or rake them into the water.
Preserving our resource
What is the best lawn fertilizer?
In an effort to protect water quality in the Lake we are asking all residents to consider using no-phosphorous lawn fertilizer. It is estimated that just one pound of phosphorous in the water will produce 500 pounds of blue-green algae. Much of the phosphorus you apply actually runs off the lawn before penetrating the soil. That means that it gets into the lake contributing to the glue-green algae bloom in the spring and the growth of other aquatic plants. Blue-green algae not only stinks but can be toxic to animals and children. When the algae bloom decays, it reduces the oxygen in the water and can cause fish kills. Phosphorus run-off from feed lots, agricultural land and lawns is the main contributor to phosphorus in lakes. The best time to fertilize is May and early June (now). Your lawn does not need phosphorus! Unless you have a newly seeded lawn most soil provides all the phosphorus your established lawn needs.
Aquatic Plants.
Aquatic plants perform some of the same roles in your lake as trees do in a forest. While most people are aware of the consequences of poor logging practices in a forest, most are unaware of what changes in the aquatic plant community will do to their lake. Like trees in a forest, aquatic plants provide structure and food for other organisms. They also stabilize soft lake bottoms and minimize shoreline erosion by dampening the effect of waves like trees hold the soil and block the wind in a forest. These plants also absorb and use nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, making less available for algae. A healthy plant community in our lake also makes our lake Healthier. Consider planting some aqutic plants near your shoreline in the spring.