How to Prevent Algae blooms on Lake Buel!

Posted on May 29, 2019 by Ginny H

How to prevent algal blooms at your lake
By Sara Laux
Published: May 10, 2018

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algal-blooms-in-lake Photo by C N Elliott/Shutterstock
An oxygen-starved area of almost 165,000 square kilometres in the Gulf of Oman is now the world’s largest marine “dead zone.” Incapable of supporting life, dead zones can occur naturally in deep water but are becoming more common in coastal waters because of algal blooms that use up the water’s oxygen when they die and decompose. Algal blooms, meanwhile, are increasing as agricultural runoff, containing chemical fertilizers like phosphorus, contaminates water sources.

Algal blooms aren’t just an ocean problem. At one point in the 1960s, Lake Erie was thought to be dying because of extensive blooms, which led to 1972’s Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between the U.S. and Canada. And while phosphorus levels dropped in Lake Erie and the other Great Lakes in the 1980s, rising lake temperatures caused by climate change mean algae growth is now a problem in the Great Lakes once again.

Dead zones aren’t the only problem with algal blooms. Some species of algae are toxic to animals and humans, affecting fish and bird populations as well as making swimming and fishing dangerous. Cyanobacteria, which is called blue-green algae but is actually a photosynthesizing bacteria, can contaminate water supplies and cause headaches, fever, nausea, vomiting and, in serious cases, severe liver damage.

Algae doesn’t necessarily mean poor water quality, but it can be a problem. So what’s the key to reducing algae on your lake? The most effective thing to do is reduce the number of algae-feeding nutrients, especially phosphorus, that make it into the water. Here are some tips to keep your lake in tip-top shape.

Be careful with fertilizer

Sure, you want a nice green lawn and healthy plants — but that fertilizer you spread in your garden also encourages algae to bloom. It’s best to avoid fertilizer altogether if you’re close to a water source — plant native plants instead, which are well-adapted to the environment and don’t require special maintenance. If you must fertilize, try and find a phosphorus-free product, and reduce run-off by applying it when there’s no rain in the forecast.

And don’t think natural fertilizer like manure or compost is any better than a chemical version, anything that’s going to make your garden plants grow is going to make algae grow as well.It’s best to avoid fertilizers generally.

Check your septic system

Just as manure encourages algae to grow, so does human sewage. (Plus, gross.) A leaky septic system can easily contaminate water sources, so make sure you keep your septic tank well maintained and be on the lookout for cracks and fissures.

It also goes without saying that you shouldn’t, ahem, go number 2 anywhere close to a water source, and don’t allow your pets to poop close to the water either. Even if you didn’t run the risk of making people sick, you don’t want to give algae any extra nutrients.

Don’t use a garburator

Compost is great for gardens — which means it’s great for algae, too. Garburators, or in-sink garbage disposals, deposit food waste into the water system, which can lead to “nutrient loading” into lakes through water treatment plants. Land composting is a much better option for kitchen waste.

Combat shoreline erosion

An eroded shoreline, meaning few plants or trees, means more run-off from the land into your lake. Make sure your shoreline is planted with native species to help keep its integrity intact and run-off out of the lake, and don’t cut down vegetation that’s already there.

Don’t lather up near water sources

Even if you’re using biodegradable or organic soap, it’s best to keep it far from water sources. Use a bucket or other container for your wash water, then bury your rinse water so bacteria in the soil can break down any contaminants. It sounds like a pain, but it’s better than washing in slimy, smelly algae.

Be careful with your detergents

Canada banned phosphates in household cleaning products in 2010, but if you’re using an old bottle of dish detergent, you could still be dumping algae-feeding nutrients into your lake. Make sure you’re using phosphate-free cleaners and soaps.

Minimize impervious surfaces close to the water where possible

The goal in preventing nutrient-rich runoff from making it into lakes and other water sources is making sure it’s absorbed by the earth, which is a lot harder to do if you’ve paved right up to the edge of your shoreline. Ideally, you’ll have a nice, natural shoreline, complete with plenty of native plants, around your lake to make sure run-off stays on land.

Opposition to Industrial Complex Buildout

Posted on February 23, 2018 by Ginny H

February 28, 2018

Dear Selectmen,

Board of Selectmen
807 Mill River Southfield Road
Mill River, MA 01244

I am writing to you as a board member of the Lake Buel Restoration and Preservation District (LBD). The LBD, created approximately 25 years ago, is a unique municipality representing all property owners with access to Lake Buel. The Board represents both New Marlborough and Monterey landowners.
It has come to our attention that a Special Permit Hearing is scheduled for March 12, 2018 to consider Mr. Setiz’s application to construct an Industrial Complex in Hartsville. The application survey shows that the complex will consist of over 110,000 square feet of covered space and indicates future expansion to include a Solar Farm, Lodging of some sort, parking spaces planned for 48 vehicles, and creation of a new access road.

Passage of this application will bring dramatic change to Hartsville with increased traffic, and potential adverse affects to wildlife, environmental and other impacts we may not foresee today. The processing of Marijuana produces many by-products, both liquid and solids, that need to be labeled Hazardous Waste. Oversight by the town would need to be comprehensive and expensive.

The legalization of marijuana is not a closed issue, as the Federal Government still lists Marijuana as a controlled substance. As you know, the areas that lie below the proposed project are sensitive wetlands as a ride along Adsit Crosby road will demonstrate. These wetlands receive drainage from the mountain above and then drain into the Konkapot River. The Konkapot River over the last 15 years has flowed backward into Lake Buel at least three times. Contamination of these wetlands backing up into Lake Buel could have very negative consequences. These sensitive areas should be protected and the construction of a large Industrial Complex will pose serious problems.

Aesthetically, the project will be a disaster to the beauty of New Marlborough. Being perched on the hillside, visible in all directions, is not how we want to grow Hartsville or New Marlborough. Future plans for lodging will only bring further blight to that area. Lake Buel landowners, who represent a very significant portion of the taxes raised in New Marlborough, currently pay a large premium for the views of the lake and surrounding hills and mountains. The proposed project would be visible from most of the Lake and even worse, 24 hour security lighting will create severe light pollution!

Lake Buel is a significant asset to New Marlborough which attracts tourists and second home owners that demand very little from the towns’ resources. Let’s try to keep this asset intact and allow future generations to appreciate it as it is today.

In conclusion, let it be clear that the Lake Buel District Board, representing landowners of New Marlborough and Monterey who have access to the lake, strongly oppose the construction of this large Industrial Complex at the currently proposed site. Your negative vote will help protect Hartsville, the environment, and preserve the unique beauty of our community.

Respectfully,
Cc: New Marlborough Conservation Committee
Peter Hagen, Chairman
Lake Buel Restoration and Preservation District Board

Weed Harvesting update from Paula Hatch, Prudential Committee Chairperson

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Chuck Pierce

“As many of you know by now, the District has hired Tryon Construction, a Monterey business with years of experience operating and maintaining heavy equipment, to take over the weed harvesting operation on the lake. Our former harvester, Dave Lewis, was rare in that he had over 25 years of experience with weed harvesting and was also capable of handling the maintenance of the equipment either single-handedly or with his team of resources. Going into the hiring process, the Prudential Committee understood that no one would be able to step seamlessly into Dave’s shoes and that this year’s harvesting would present a steep learning curve to the newbie”.

Nevertheless, Leigh Tryon and his “designated driver” Mike Ordyna, have taken on the task with a can-do spirit and are working long hours to tackle this year’s heavy weed growth. Mike has already spent several weeks getting used to the harvester by working on the off-shore areas of weed growth. He is now ready to begin working on the shoreline, the most challenging part of weed harvesting, and he will put in extra hours in advance of the July 4^th weekend in an effort to make swimming and boating as enjoyable as possible.

We are fortunate to have a new team who is so well prepared for this unique enterprise. Please be patient and respectful of the challenges facing our new team. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact a member of the Prudential Committee. We are committed to making this transition year a good one.

With happy wishes for a great summer,

Paula Hatch

Chairperson, Prudential Committee, Lake Buel Restoration/Preservation District

It’s not just the Lake water that’s under threat from invasives

Posted on August 26, 2012 by Chuck Pierce

There’s nothing quite like sitting by a wood stove or an open fireplace to take the chill off as the days grow shorter and the temps fall. Perhaps you also get satisfaction from knowing that burning wood is displacing use of expensive heating oil or propane. But did you also know that you could inadvertently be introducing invasive insects to Lake Buel’s shorelines? It’s true if you ‘import’ firewood.

The beautiful forests surrounding our Lake are under assault from invasive species. Common threats include woolly adelgid killing Hemlocks and the Asian Longhorned beetle and emerald ash borer insects attacking hardwood trees. Already woolly adelgid is ravaging eastern MA and metro New York, and Asian Longhorn beetles are prevalent in sections of Worcester County, MA and have been sighted in Brookline and Boston. With its initial infestation point most likely Brooklyn, the Asian Longhorned beetle has since spread throughout metro New York City including New Jersey. Even Central Park has not been immune! It has been described as the most destructive non-native insect in the US.

What can we do? Be very careful about buying firewood. Know where it is sourced, and insist on buying from reputable local firewood dealers. And be very skeptical of buying bargain firewood in areas where the Asian Longhorned beetles are prevalent. Don’t inadvertently accelerate the spread of invasive species by “importing” diseased firewood to Lake Buel. Buy local!

What to learn more? Here are a few sites you might find helpful:

Don’t Move Firewood

New York Dept of Environmental Protection

New Jersey Dept of Agriculture

Connecticut Dept of Energy and Environmental Protection