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Toxic Algae Bloom
Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 11:30 am
by leahcim_dahc
Found this article while surfing the interweb this morning...looks like a few lakes to cross off my list to visit for a while. Too bad.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/loca ... 76383.html
Chad
RE:Toxic Algae Bloom
Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 1:25 am
by VooDuuChild
Yeah, got that up in these here parts too; go ahead and add Lake Cassidy to that list. I still fished it, got nuttin. Now I have to change out my line on my trollin pole too cuz that stuff is all over my line on the spool. Don't wanna spread that nasty stuff to my other lakes.
RE:Toxic Algae Bloom
Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 1:43 am
by leahcim_dahc
Nah...wouldn't want to spread it, either. From the reading I have done...make sure you wash your hands if your handling anything contaminated by it. I didn't know much about it, was reading up on a couple types and the blue-green can kill animals if ingested, also can cause problems in humans neurologically and in the liver. My guess that is a worse case scenario, though. Supposedly doesn't cause much harm to fish unless it is at super high levels...or the golden algae, or whatever other type it is.
Chad
RE:Toxic Algae Bloom
Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 8:47 pm
by Marc Martyn
The article says that it exists, but doesn't say what they think is causing it. Could it be too high of a nitrogen level?
RE:Toxic Algae Bloom
Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 10:18 pm
by leahcim_dahc
From the reading I have done...that is the most likely cause. I am no biologist...so that could be taken with a grain of salt.
My simple arithmetic:
Ohop, Tanwax, & Steilacoom lakes + Toxic Algae Bloom / many residences surrounding lakes X high nitrogen levels = pooh in the water 
I don't think I'll be eating any fish out of those lakes...bleck!!
No warranty expressed or implied...mileage may vary,
Chad
RE:Toxic Algae Bloom
Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 11:42 pm
by Marc Martyn
I am not familiar with the above lakes mentioned, being from the eastside. However, if there is a high concentration of homes around the lake, it is possible that lawn fertilizers are leeching into the water. At least that is one of the theories I have heard for other locations. That 28-5-5 fertilizer people put on there lawns has got to go somewhere.
West Medical near Spokane, has a bad algae bloom also. It may not be toxic though. It's problem started with the sewage treatment facility (which has been closed for several years) on the state hospital ground. The surrounding area has a lot of farm land that drains into the lake. I feel that fertilizers are making it worse each year.
RE:Toxic Algae Bloom
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 12:04 am
by leahcim_dahc
However, if there is a high concentration of homes around the lake, it is possible that lawn fertilizers are leeching into the water.
Seems that is one of the biggest culprits...along with sewage whether human or otherwise.
I feel that fertilizers are making it worse each year.
++
Below are a couple links with some more information.
http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/Waterres/lak ... cAlgae.htm
http://www.tpchd.org/page.php?id=148
Tacoma | Pierce County Health Department wrote:What Can I Do About It?
Algae blooms are likely to occur during sunny, calm weather when high concentrations of nutrients are present in the water. People can have a big effect on the amount of nutrients in a lake. Two important nutrients algae require are phosphorous and nitrogen. These are found in animal and human waste (sewage) and in fertilizers. Excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus may lead to "nutrient loading" and eventually to an algae bloom. To help decrease nutrient loading:
1. Maintain or restore native plants around lake shorelines and streams that feed the lake. Native wetland plants help filter water and don't require pesticides or fertilizers for maintenance.
2. Be extremely cautious with lawn and plant fertilizers and pesticides. Don't over-water, over-fertilize, or use more than the recommended amount of pesticides.
3. Improperly operating or damaged septic systems are a major cause of nutrient loading into nearby water. Proper care and maintenance of your septic system are essential. For information on how to maintain your septic system please call the health department at 253-798-6470.
4. Prevent surface water runoff from agricultural and livestock areas. Do not allow livestock to drink or defecate in streams or lakes. Don't feed waterfowl.
5. Take steps to prevent erosion around construction and logging operations. Erosion can carry nutrient-rich soil into nearby lake
Chad
RE:Toxic Algae Bloom
Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 10:56 pm
by Marc Martyn
It is also believed that a lake with a high concentration of water fowl will be at a higher risk also. Medical Lake in Four Lakes has a large population of geese. The lakeside park is covered with goose droppings.
RE:Toxic Algae Bloom
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:06 am
by leahcim_dahc
Very well could be...makes me wonder how many it would take to make an impact like that on a body of water. One thing for sure...where there's water, there's sure to be the fowl. Especially geese...man I've never seen so many geese in my life. I remember when I was young and lived in SW Kansas, we'd see geese once in a while...but up here, they're everywhere I look!
Chad
RE:Toxic Algae Bloom
Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:57 pm
by Rthr_B_Fishn
Im no biomedophsycothinkologist either but when you put the blame on "gooses" arent u missing the piont that birds have been poopin in the water for far longer then the humans? i mean yea loads of gooses aree everywhere but come on... lets be serious.. water fowl eat "mostly" things from the water... umm so wouldnt it be some "other cause" like human mess ups ooopppss.. im just sayin.. maybe i need to know what the molecular makup of pooo really is.. but if u are what u eat .. never mind yall get my drift!
RE:Toxic Algae Bloom
Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 9:56 pm
by leahcim_dahc
Rthr_B_Fishn wrote:Im no biomedophsycothinkologist either but when you put the blame on "gooses" arent u missing the piont that birds have been poopin in the water for far longer then the humans?
I don't think anyone is directly blaming geese droppings in the water, just a possible contributing factor. That coupled with excessive fertilizer usage, runoff from livestock, etc., etc.. Causes of high nitrogen and phosphorus levels...
Rthr_B_Fishn wrote:mean yea loads of gooses aree everywhere but come on... lets be serious.. water fowl eat "mostly" things from the water
Sure they eat things from the water...also elsewhere, but that's besides the point. It's not about what they eat...but what and how much comes out the other end.
Rthr_B_Fishn wrote:umm so wouldnt it be some "other cause" like human mess ups ooopppss..
Kinda like excessive fertilizer and pesticide usage...improperly operating or damaged septic systems...runoff from agricultural and livestock areas...notice the pattern? It's almost like I have read something about that somewhere before...
Rthr_B_Fishn wrote:maybe i need to know what the molecular makup of pooo really is
I'd be willing to put some money on nitrogen and phosphorus...along with various assorted other items.
I really didn't feel like googling manure all night to gather information...but the linky below should get you started. Enjoy!
Everything you ever wanted to know about poop, but were afraid to ask.
Chad
RE:Toxic Algae Bloom
Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 10:24 pm
by EastsideRedneck
Just look for the new or perfectly manicured yards on the waterfront and I am sure you can go from there... On Beaver lake I have found a few decent sized algae blooms near some yards that are just a little too perfect.
RE:Toxic Algae Bloom
Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 10:34 pm
by A9
EastsideRedneck wrote:Just look for the new or perfectly manicured yards on the waterfront and I am sure you can go from there... On Beaver lake I have found a few decent sized algae blooms near some yards that are just a little too perfect.
That's funny. When fertilizer gets into waterways, it can be way more potent in lakes then it can be for a lawn. All that nitrogen and phosphorus can put together a big algae bloom...