Water Quality

No Longer

The Genesee County Department of Health is no longer checking e.coli levels Lobdell Lake. The lake was eliminated from the weekly check due to a cost savings effort, some time in 2006. Since we don't have a public beach, we no longer qualify.

Not One

Did you happen to notice that we went through the entire 2003 season without a single e.coli notice from the Genesee County Department of Health. Thanks to Brian Mckensie and his staff for continuing to keep us informed on a weekly basis.

A Scare

On May 28, 2003, Board Treasurer Cathy Mashburn was contacted by residents on Haviland Beach because the waters along the beach were fouled by some foreign substance.

Cathy immediately went to the location collected a sample of water. She brought the sample to our May Board meeting and turned it over to Tony Minatel, Chairman of the Water Quality Committee. The next day, Tony contacted Dr. Douglas Pullman who is in charge of monitoring our lakes' water treatment and quality. Dr. Pullman came out immediately to inspect the area and collect the sample.

By the time Dr. Pullman had arrived at the Haviland Beach site, much of the water-fouling substance had dissipated. Lab evaluation of the sample showed the foreign substance was copper sulfate, a chemical used to control algae. Evidently some resident with good intentions didn't read the usage instructions and significantly over-applied the chemical. The good news is that copper sulfate dissolves quickly and is not harmful to humans or animals.

This is an excellent example of Residents to Board communications, and how everyone worked together to solve a problem. Congratulations, and thank you to all involved.

Weed Treatment Notes

The DEQ did not approve our chemical treatment application until June, and then reduced the strength of the application. As you know, Fluridone was applied the day after we received acceptance of our application. The general feeling is that, even at reduced strength, the application appears to have controlled the weed growth.

A treatment of copper sulfate was applied in late June to control the algae growth. A second application is scheduled for the mill pond in early August. This application will be weaker than last year, 2002, when, as you may recall, the exceptional heat at the time of the application caused a faster-than-normal weed deterioration. This created a depletion in the water's oxygen content, resulting in the dying off of some of the weaker fish.