July 2024 All Member POACRE Meeting .pptx

Presentation about the history of Lake Lariat and the Lakes Preservation Committee of POACRE.

1. Lakes Preservation Committee Chair (going forward)- Justin Hodges Secretary – Dave Hardy (in memoriam) Linda Jacobson Lila West John Glynn Martin Greenbaum Ruth Kraemer Phil Allen Saunté Sutton Chair (retiring) – Dr. Andy Rogers POACRE All Member Meeting July 2024 Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart. Elizabeth Andrew

2. Goals for Lake Lariat: Safe - Pleasing To Look At - Free From Unpleasant Odors - Good For Fishing - Good For Boating - Swimmable - Healthy

3. What the LPC Does Monitor Lake Lariat. Study the literature. Interview experts in government, industry and academia. When we get new information, we review it carefully. Look for environmentally sound solutions Implement solutions. Not looking for quick fixes or expensive, hard to maintain equipment. Address member concerns Working with POACRE administration to bring in outside dollars Foundation for Community Partnerships County

4. Lake Lariat Water Quality Concerns E. Coli Mercury Blue green algae Eutrophication 5

5. Calvert County Testing Results for E. Coli 2003 – 2014 Average E. Coli rating based on the geometric mean of 5 samples taken the same day on the Lake Lariat beach If geometric mean exceeds 235 cells/ml, Calvert County issues an advisory If the 30-day geometric mean exceeds 126 ml, Calvert County issues an advisory. For advisories go to: http:// www.calverthealth.org /community/ environmentalhealthservices / beachmap.htm From 2014 to present there was one beach closing according to state health department data.

6. Causes of E. Coli Failing septic systems Stormwater carrying pet waste Wild animals Major rain events can wash a fair amount of animal waste into any nearby bodies of water.

7. Mercury Lake Lariat is considered impaired because it is not safe to eat a constant diet of large mouth bass (no more than 10 8-ounce servings per year.) and other fish from the lake. US EPA safe drinking water level for mercury is 1000 times higher than the mercury level in Lake Lariat water. 8

8. Lake Lariat in 2008

9. Floating Treatment Wetlands Text, graphics and opinions by Andy Rogers

10. Blue Green Algae 11 Only small localized blooms have been reported on Lake Lariat for several years. July 2011 Photo

11. Fishery DNR study (2009) shows lack of cover for fish development in Lake Lariat. This includes downed trees and wetland/aquatic plants. Solution: We installed artificial cover in 2011 and 2012. Floating islands provide cover as well. Fisheries expert Dave Beasley recommended encouraging fishermen to take home what they legally catch to improve the fishery.

12. Fish Habitat Installation

13. Installed Units

14. Invasive Species Snakeheads Corbicula clams Canada Geese

15. Snakeheads There have been reports of them being caught in Lake Lariat They are reported to be “Delicious”.

16. Corbicula (Asian) clams Twenty or so were found at Lake Lariat Beach a decade ago. According to DNR they could have been introduced to the lake by several means. No known way to remove them. You can harvest them but it requires a permit to stock them in a pond or lake. They are known for being a delicacy, however, DNR advised against harvesting them out of the lake.

17. Canada Geese down to 2 nesting pairs recently Fencing along beach during winter and fencing (not shown) blocking access to dam all year round seems to have been successful.

18. Everblue Lakes We hired a professional lake management company, Everblue Lakes, to look at Lake Lariat and make recommendations. General outcome is that Lake Lariat is on the cusp where it could become eutrophic or it could continue just as it is.

19. Some Don’ts Do NOT put Hydrilla in our lake. It can become so dense that swimmers and motorboats cannot pass. It can harbor blue green algae leading to the death of birds including bald eagles. It can grow in 20 feet of water. If you think you have a great idea for how to fix the lake, please come to the LPC. We are in communication with experts.

20. What you can do. Reduce nutrient inputs to the lake Rain gardens Rain barrels Reduce fertilizer use Fix your septic system Encourage proper stormwater management

21. 22 Volunteers Needed We need a secretary To Volunteer Contact CRE office or use Unofficial Facebook Page: CRE Lakes