OLA/WALPA Conference Highlights
Steering Committee members Gary Witley, Diane Perlman and Dale Kinney attended the recent joint conference of the Oregon Lakes Association (OLA) and Washington Lakes Protection Association (WALPA) in Portland on October 9-11, 2024.
There were many scientific/technical presentations and quite a few centering on Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB).
Here are some helpful links to learn more about Toxic Algae and to report a bloom:
- Washington State Toxic Algae: LINK
- Report a Bloom: LINK (Tip: Click link and go to page 7 for Thurston County info)
- To request a sampling kit: Email: algaetoxinbottles@kingcounty.gov
- About Toxic Algae: LINK
Here are a few of the OLA/WALPA conference topics we found interesting:
- Remote Sensing as a Tool to Understand Harmful Algal Blooms in Western Washington Lakes
- A Lake-Scale Test of using Zero Valent Iron for Mitigation of Hazardous Algal Blooms
- Oxygen Saturation Technology for HAB Control in Washington Lakes.
- How Algae Sensors Work
- Prioritizing early Detection Work for Aquatic Nuisance Species
- Advancing Sediment Analysis for Phosphorus Mitigation in Lakes
- Mitigating External and Internal Phosphorus Loading on Moses Lake
- Panel on Lake Alum Treatments in Washington
One of the current issues on Offut Lake concerns Fragrant Waterlily (FWL), an invasive species. Here are some of the various options we learned about for controlling FWL:
- Hand pulling requires a group of dedicated hired workers or volunteers.
- Claw rake (to dig up tubers), harvester (to capture weed material), and a water curtain behind that to reduce the flow of weeds to other areas of the lake. Cheaper than suction dredging.
- Suction dredging to dig up tubers. Material off-loaded to a boat, then to the shore for disposal. This method is not good for big tubers – it clogs the suction pipe. There are currently no companies in Washington State that provide this service.
- Herbicide on lily pads followed by mechanical harvesting. Material moved to shore for disposal. Herbicides are the least expensive control method.
If you have been following our OLMD you know that we are about to present a draft work plan to all Offut Lake residents for explaining the various control methods for weeds.
Be sure to attend the public meeting on November 12, 2024, from 6-7:30pm at Lady of the Lake Restaurant to provide your feedback/input on this draft work plan.
Click this LINK to RSVP to attend this meeting and provide your feedback.
NOTE: Visit our website (offutlake.org) after Nov. 4, 2024, to download/view the draft work. This will give you time to read through the draft so you can bring your comments/feedback to the meeting.
