2013-06-05 P & R Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Improving Peliter Lake Everyone, please answer the IMPORTANT QUESTIONS below. See COMMUNICATION at the end Thanks. If you want future information, see COMMUNICATION at the end. * ** This is the only mailing.*** This letter has sections as follows: 1. INFORMATION 2. IMPORTANT OUESTIONS 3. OTHER QUESTIONS 4. WHAT YOU CAN DO �;� 0- 4,— 5. COMMUNICATION �eCr Ss. 6. COMMUNICATION SUMMARY I also enclose a Great Blue Heron report from Feb 2013. Some might not know that I have remained very active in lake and environmental issues. I'm glad to see Mark Fairbanks and Ron Solfest taking actions to try to improve Peltier Lake. This letter is a summary of information and activities that could be useful to improve the lake. 1. INFORMATION How can Peltier Lake be improved? I've been wrestling with that question ever since moving here in 1979 and starting a formal Lake Association in 1988. Here is some of what I've found over those years. This is a bit technical and long. If time is limited, jump to the IMPORTANT QUESTIONS section. Are the aquatic plants in Peltier Lake causing the problem in the lake? Or is there more to it? There are bad aquatic plants and good aquatic plants. If only we could make them all, "good" aquatic plants. Peltier's bad invasive aquatic plants are Curlyleaf Pondweed and Eurasian Watermilfoil. The Curlyleaf can cause a problem when it dies in midsummer. The Eurasian Watermilfoil, so far, has not been a problem. Invasive species are only part of a much bigger problem, excessive nutrients, particularly phosphorus. There are also problems with carp disturbing the bottom and the "turbid state" of the shallow lake among other problems. (A shallow lake like Peltier can have 2 "states," a "clear state" and a "turbid state. ") Unfortunately, these issues go beyond the capabilities of the lake residents. The best hope for improving Peltier Lake is the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD). It has experts, information, regulations, engineering and funding to do projects. The RCWD is now processing a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study on Peltier Lake to tackle the multiple problems of the lake. This detailed study identifies the problems of excessive nutrient loading and other factors, beginning the process of developing an action plan to improve lake quality. The nearly complete TMDL is currently the best hope for improving water quality in Peltier Lake. Potentially, it could be approved in a matter of months with possible implementation this or next fall. I have been monitoring and encouraging this TMDL study for years. Peltier Lake phosphorus levels are around 240 ug/1, the larger numbers being more damaging. In Minnesota, the TMDL target standard for shallow lakes like Peltier is 60. Compared to other similar lakes in the region, Centerville Lake is 61 and White Bear Lake is 22. Peltier's phosphorus level of 240 ug/1 is off the charts. All that nasty phosphorus comes from the upstream watershed (external loading) and from phosphorus already in the sediments of the lake (internal loading). Watershed management of various forms treats upstream loading, while application of alum or drawdown, for example, could treat internal loading. To get the 240 down to 60 might be a monumental task. The TMDL action plan might suggest some drastic measures like drawing down the lake 3 to 6' over winter to consolidate the sediments and kill most of the invasive Curlyleaf Pondweed. Only the RCWD could implement measures so drastic and it will need the cooperation of people using the lake. Solving Peltier's problems will take long term vision, good science and citizen cooperation.