FRIENDS OF THE LAKE A Review
New Leadership Takes the Helm
At the end of 2015 we bid a fond farewell to our advocate and champion, Jan Knox, as committee chair. However, Erin Johnson and Niki Koehler soon stepped up to take on the role of Co-Chairs. The Friends of the Lake Committee and entire Lake Linganore community has benefited from their leadership through a successful 2016.
Volunteer of the Year!
The Friends of the Lake is proud to lay claim to the 2016 Lake Linganore Volunteer of the Year, Eric Roberts! Eric oversees our Water Quality Committee and when you read the following, you’ ll understand why he was the awesome volunteer of 2016.
• Arranged for Lake Linganore Association staff and equipment to help Hood College researchers with twice monthly data collection and analyses of both Lake Anita Louise and Lake Linganore.
• During the summer months, managed daily water sampling and E. coli analysis and communicated the results on the Lake Linganore web site, community Facebook pages and other social media outlets.
• Worked with Hood College researchers and students to present results from the May through August monitoring of Lake Anita Louise and Lake Linganore.
• Coordinated a volunteer SCUBA diver to collect core samples from the bottom of Lake Anita Louise. The samples were used by Maryland researchers to assess the role of sediments on the lake bottom in releasing phosphorous and fueling algae growth.
• Helped develop and implement a plan to proactively address residual Planktothrix in Lake Anita Louise to help prevent another algae bloom.
Keeping a Close Eye on Water Quality
The Water Quality Sub-Committee focused on Lake Anita Louise and Lake Linganore in 2016. The unexpected appearance and proliferation of a red alpine cyanobacteria in Lake Anita Louise during the winter of 2015-2016 led to a flurry of unplanned activity in both lakes.
More specifically, we:
• Collaborated with researchers from the Hood College, Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies and the Maryland Department of the Environment( MDE) to identify the cyanobacteria( Planktothrix) causing the lake to turn red and to quantify associated lake toxins.
• Worked with Hood, the Lake Linganore Association, and Frederick City and County to develop a sampling and analyses plan agreement to monitor and share data on algae, bacteria, and nutrient conditions inside and entering the lakes. The two-fold goal of the data sharing is to protect residents and pets and assess potential causes and remedies.
• Coordinated regular MDE analyses of Lake Anita Louise for the Planktothrix and associated toxin and reported available data on Facebook and other available social media outlets.
• Consulted with Frederick County health officials and the Lake Linganore Association on placing appropriate signage around Lake Anita Louise.
• Engaged the Hood College robotics team to complete a bathometric survey and map of Lake Anita Louise. The purpose of the survey was to understand the depth and configuration of the lake bottom to plan for testing and remediation.
New Reforestation Areas
In spring 2016, we led the way for three new reforestation areas— in Nightingale, along Lake Merle, and in Summerfield. We worked with the Lake Linganore Association to hire a contractor to professionally plant 750 native hardwood saplings. For extra protection, the saplings were planted in tree tubes with weed mats. When checked this fall, all the areas were showing a high survival rate.
These new reforestation areas are a continuation of our efforts to mitigate the deforestation that results from ongoing development. In previous years, Friends of the Lake advocated for the reforestation areas in front of the Audubon Condos and along the Indian Caves Trail in the Meadows.
You can help us improve the success of these areas. If you happen to notice that tree tubes have fallen over, feel free to pitch in and return them to their upright position. The netting is in place to deter birds and other wildlife from entering and getting trapped in the tubes. The netting should only be removed once the trees pop out of the top. If you notice askew netting, you can help by replacing it.
12 LakeTalk January 2017