Conservation may have caused outbreak, nature may correct it
Watershed necessary to extend life of reservoir
Staff reporter
Jim Harris, an official with Tulsa District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, stated at a public meeting Nov. 9, water clarity caused by conservation may have caused the algae outbreak. He believes the situation will correct itself.
Extremely clear water has been blamed for the recent outbreak of blue-green algae blooms that become toxic when the plant dies. It has become an ongoing concern with officials because Marion County residents drink treated water that originates from Marion Reservoir.
Ed Carney, an environmental scientist with Kansas Department of Health and Environment, stated watershed projects and conservation practices are essential to extend the life of the reservoir.
Representatives of the Corps, KDHE, and Marion County Conservation District met with a small crowd of city officials, conservation district members, and an Eastshore Development resident and presented information regarding algae and algae blooms in the reservoir.
Neil Whitaker, park ranger at Marion Reservoir, presented a slide show with photographs of the algae bloom that occurred this past spring and summer.
Information, lake status
Whitaker showed photos and explained the initial appearance of blue-green algae is dark green in color when alive and often is not visible to the naked eye.
"What we see on the water surface are the blooms," Whitaker said. The blooms are caused by phosphorous present in the water.
When the algae first blooms, the water takes on a look of a green oil spill, Whitaker said. As the algae progresses, the blooms clump together.
When the algae dies, the bloom becomes turquoise and can form a scum on the water surface.
The most noticeable problems with the outbreak, Whitaker said, were the odor and appearance. He compared the odor to the worst possible smell a person can imagine.
Whitaker showed a photo of the first time the algae was noticed at the reservoir. The photo showed a green crust along a shore line.
This past summer, high water from a rain storm resulted in a blue-green encrustation on picnic sites, Whitaker said.
Whitaker also showed a satellite image of the reservoir taken this past summer. Red coloring on the photo signified the blue-green algae, Whitaker said. In the photo, much of the reservoir image was covered with red.
A time line was shown of the events beginning June 2003.
The algae was noted June 4. On June 6, the cities of Marion and Hillsboro ceased drawing water from the reservoir. KDHE and the cities determined the water was safe on June 18 and started drawing from the reservoir. On July 30, the bloom appeared to have dissipated.
Another time line was shown of this past summer.
On May 19, the algae is noted, earlier than the previous year. A letter from the City of Hillsboro and Marion County Commission was sent May 26 to legislators requesting funding for research and possible solutions. The bloom dissipated Aug. 10.
"From my own personal observation, the bloom of 2004 was more intense and longer lasting than 2003," Whitaker said.
Results of the outbreaks also were noted. There were no reported illnesses and no fish kills. Cities incurred major expenses and continue to have expenses related to the problem.
KDHE, the Corps, and cities continue to pay for water sampling and testing. Signs, closing and reopening beach areas, and distribution of public information were additional expenses and labor for the Corps.
A surprising statistic showed recreation fees collected in 2003 and 2004 were not greatly reduced as previously believed (see graph).
Whitaker said the statistics surprised him as well because he thought there were fewer campers the past two summers due to publicity and overall appearance of the lake.
Marion city administrator David Mayfield asked why the outbreak was more severe in 2004 than in 2003? Whitaker answered he didn't know. Mayfield said since there has been a "tremendous amount of rainfall this year, is that going to cause more algae next year?"
Whitaker responded he didn't know. He didn't think rain increased the algae bloom.
Jim Harris of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District, stated the situation at the reservoir wasn't any different than other situations at other reservoirs. Marion Reservoir personnel have addressed the issues better than other lakes.
He said in Texas, golden algae was present and caused a fish kill.
Gary Schuler of the county conservation district, asked how the clarity of the water this year compared with the clarity in 2003. Whitaker said it still was fairly clear this year.
Morgan Marler, City of Hillsboro senior water plant operator, said turbidity readings indicated the water was "very clear."
Harris agreed water clarity is related to the algae bloom.
He also said he believed there was a direct correlation between conservation and algae.
"I think if water clarity is caused by watershed management which resulted in the algae bloom," Harris said, "it may correct itself over time."
Whitaker related some stories during the algae outbreak. He said he knew of people who had eczema and psoriasis. The water containing the algae cleared up their skin.
He also recalled a time when he was talking with a camper when a little white dog ran up from the water. The white dog had turned green from the water.
Another incident involved a large-breed dog breaking from its chain and bothering other campers. The dog had to be tranquilized in order to be subdued. The dog's owners blamed the algae for the dog's aggressive behavior.
Carney spoke about the causes of the algae stating the blooms were caused by phosphorous and/or nitrogen.
Eutrophication is a natural aging process for water. The amount of nitrogen controls the eutrophication process. Although eutrophication is a natural process, if sped up it becomes a type of pollution, reducing the life span of a lake.
Carney noted nearly 30 percent of Kansas lakes have a low incident of algae. More than 30 percent have a high concentration.
Natural blooms are occasional. Unnatural blooms are frequent, long-lasting, large, and reduce beneficial use of the water.
He said Marion Reservoir and Cheney Lake did not see fish kills because the bodies of water were large enough to accommodate fish away from the affected areas.
Scientifically, algae causes problems because it is a poor food source for fish, therefore not eaten and reduced. The algae is able to out-compete with more desirable plant life.
Carney presented an in-depth overview of algae and other toxins found in lake water.
Pound for pound, microsystin algae is more potent than cobra or rattlesnake venom, cyanide, or arsenic.
Carney said watershed programs are the key to restoring nutrient-enriched lakes.
"The best approach is to plan ahead while the lake is still on the drawing board," Carney said. Realistically it doesn't happen that way, he added.
Control of lake algae tends to be chemical or mechanical. He said symptomatic treatments maintained for the life of the lake often costs millions of dollars.
"Some treatments can backfire," Carney said, "making blooms worsen."
Aeration was one of the treatments previously discussed by Corps and city personnel. Carney said aeration may cause more problems.
"The aerator needs to be tailor-made to fit the lake," Carney said.
He believes the algae formed because the area had drought conditions then had a wet spring after two to three years of buildup.
"An event like Marion had can cause the outbreak," Carney said. He said when the water reaches an equilibrium, he hopes it can correct itself.
The bloom stops growing when the nutrients are eliminated, usually when it runs out of phosphorous.
"The rule of thumb is if there are a lot of blooms, it's probably toxic," Carney said.
WRAPS
Peggy Blackman, coordinator and grant administrator for Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS), reported strides are being made in the battles of erosion and watershed protection.
She is hopeful Marion Reservoir will be placed on a high priority list for funds for watershed improvements.
During the 2003 grant year, October 2002 through November 2003, total funding was $93,962.
In the November 2003 through November 2004 grant year, $115,784 in funding was available.
From October 2002 through November 2004, nearly $210,000 in funding has been received by WRAPS for projects.
The five-year grant program is expected to receive a total of $575,612.
Photographs were shown by Blackman of eroded land near the reservoir.
"Grass instead of crops will be planted in those areas to eliminate erosion and run-off into a nearby stream," Blackman said. These practices are called BMP or Best Management Practices.
Blackman said the repair of an eroded area eliminated problems for a homeowner's water system.
Another photo was shown of how erosion caused a significant "cut" or path in a field. More than $6,000 in grant funds were spent to correct the problem.
Also assisting with the program is the Kansas Alliance of Wetlands and Streams (KAWS). The group received federal funds to assist with similar projects.
It was noted city-dwellers are sometimes responsible for erosion and pollution issues. Grass seed, fertilizer, and other chemicals residents use on grass and plants contribute to ground pollution.
The toxins wash from the city lawn to the storm sewers. Oftentimes those toxins follow a natural stream to the reservoir where it contributes to pollution present in the ground and water.
It was announced a nutrient management workshop is planned for Jan. 13. More information will be announced at a later date.
