August 22, 2023

LOCA Reminder

August 27, 2023 is the LOCA General Membership Meeting to be held at the Lafayette Township Firehouse, 126  Rt 15 Lafayette, NJ 07848 beginning at 10:00AM.

The Board of Governors encourages all members to attend. If you are unable to join us, please return the proxy included on the last page of the August newsletter.

Proxies are needed to assure a quorum. Any proxy sent via US mail, scanned or text must reach the Secretary by 6:00 PM, Saturday, August 26 to be counted.

Proxies delivered by hand at the meeting will be valid!
Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday!

Wine & Cheese is this Saturday, August 26!
Time is 4:00 to 8:00 PM on the Island.
It is BYOB and please bring an appetizer to share!
Music will be provided.

Hoping you can join us!

July 27, 2023

Go ahead and enjoy the lake!

The 7/24/23 algaecide treatment successfully knocked down the emerging HAB.  60 of the lake’s 275 acres were treated with a low dose of copper sulfate.   The treatment zone included the shoreline around the entire lake plus the two coves and the Inlet.  
We are monitoring the lake daily.  Today’s lake wide phycocyanin readings were all below the threshold of concern.  

Today brought much wind and wave action. There is lots of surface foam, particularly at the Outlet, which is the result of the waves and the die off of the algae. It is flushing out through the Outlet. 

Keep in mind, this is HAB season.  Always be aware of your surroundings, avoid contact with visible surface scum and report your observations to LOCAenvironment@gmail.com. 

July 24, 2023

Algaecide Treatment happening Monday

We have been monitoring and tracking an emerging algae bloom for the last several days as noted in our e-news of 7/21/23. Clarity has dropped and phycocyanin numbers have risen in many parts of the lake. There will be a targeted algaecide treatment on Monday, June 24th.   The airboat from Lake Management Sciences will be on the lake for 2-3 hours conducting the treatment.  

There are no lake use restrictions associated with the algaecide treatment.
Please stay clear of the airboat.  

The Environment Committee for the LOCA Board of Governors

July 14, 2023

The following information was provided to LOCA by Frankford DPW.  Please plan accordingly once the DPW posts the actual dates of work.

On or about 7/24 ash tree removal will begin on the following roads:

Bonning Rd 
Katie Ln 
Allen Rd
Bauer Rd
Marron Rd
Blackford Rd

Tree crews will be there from 7am to 3pm. Once the tree trucks are set up and due to the narrow width on the above roads entry and exit will be very difficult if not impossible at times except for emergencies. If you need to get out please plan accordingly. Electronic message boards will be placed on the roads in advance with further information and exact dates. Thank you for your cooperation in advance. A few days of inconvenience is a lot better than a few days of no power.

Mark Yetter
Frankford Township
Dept. of Public Works
Supervisor
973-948-4230

July 1, 2023

Just a reminder that the Sunny Contest is tomorrow, Saturday July 1, 2023.  Contest is open to children up to and including 15 years of age.  Weight in at the island at 2 pm.  Prizes will be awarded after all entries are recorded.  Just a reminder, state law is 25 sunfish per child.  Teams are not accepted, only individual entries.

Today’s water monitoring shows good clarity and lake average phycocyanin reading of 8 out of 199 (threshold is 12).   There are a few areas along the shoreline that have visible surface scum ranging from whitish to green, which is expected post treatment on Thursday.   If this is the case by your dock, we advise fishing from a boat in open water and/or swimming from the community float.  Please always use your best judgment to assess your surroundings and avoid contact with visible scum.  

Important:  LOCA prohibits fireworks aimed over our water from any LOCA property including private docks or floats.  If you see anyone shooting fireworks over or onto the lake, please contact the state police by calling 911.

June 28, 2023

Algaecide Treatment June 29 or 30th

As we previously advised via e news on June 23rd and June 24th, the lake is experiencing a HAB (algal bloom caused by cyanobacteria).   It is concentrated in shallow, shoreline areas where wind and wave action have been pushing it.   There has been daily monitoring, which confirms the open water further from shore has remained within safe thresholds.   Wherever there is visible surface scum we strongly advise against contact.  

The storms over the last week caused the lake level to rise 6+ inches.   Rain can be both good and bad for lakes.   The intensity of the recent storms likely washed in lots of nutrients from the watershed that are feeding the algal bloom.    

Since the shoreline area is where humans and animals most frequently come into contact with the water, a targeted algaecide treatment will be applied in the next day or two specifically in the zone within 75 feet of the shore.    Thursday or Friday, there will be an airboat operated by Lake Management Sciences on the lake for 2-3 hours conducting the algaecide treatment using a low dose of copper sulfate. The airboat is loud and because we are targeting the shoreline you will be very aware of its presence when it passes by.   Please stay clear of the airboat.

There are no lake use restrictions associated with the algaecide treatment.  

We apologize for any inconvenience, but with the upcoming July 4th holiday next week, your safety and full enjoyment of the lake is our top priority.

June 23, 2023

Our June 21st sampling for Recreational Water Quality of the lake showed extremely high E. coli numbers for the B-03 Wee-Pah area. Swimming in this area and sites nearby both north and south is strongly discouraged. Additional follow-up testing will be conducted next week and the results will be shared.

Nine additional samples taken from other areas around the lake produced very good results.

June 17, 2023

An aquatic vegetation survey and assessment was conducted by Lake Management Sciences on Lake Owassa on Thursday, June 8, 2023. This is a routine activity, which is conducted twice every year by an aquatic biologist to identify existing plant communities, assess population density and recommend if any vegetation control is necessary based on observed conditions.

Consequently, our aquatic biologist recommended an herbicide application in the E-Cove, corner of the F/G Cove near G-11 (the old store) and the Inlet. The treatment for all three areas will be approximately 12 acres and will take place this week. The treatment will target variable leaf watermilfoil.

Variable leaf watermilfoil is a submerged aquatic plant with fine, densely packed, feather-like leaves whorled around a main stem. While this milfoil species is common to many surrounding lakes and is fine at low densities, its population can quickly grow to high densities if left unmanaged. Additionally, early action treatment is warranted because this species can reproduce and spread by fragmentation. Plant fragmentation occurs when a disturbance like a motorboat propeller passes through plant community and chops up the plants into pieces, each of which are then capable of forming a new plants at different locations throughout the lake. The mild winter and mostly ice-free conditions have contributed to aggressive growth of milfoil in many lakes in our region.

The exact date of the herbicide treatment is weather dependent, but is planned between Tuesday, June 20 - Friday, June 23rd. There will be an airboat on the lake for a few hours. Members will be alerted once the date is confirmed.

• Recommended 5 day restriction on irrigation for household and landscape plants.

• No restrictions on swimming

• Do not drink the lake water for this period (including pets).

*Our lake water is monitored according to recreational standards, not drinking water standards, therefore we never endorse using lake water for drinking

June 8, 2023

This afternoon Lake Management Sciences (LMS), using their airboat, was performing the aquatic plant survey.  Lake Owassa has a contract for this service to be conducted twice a year.  It is a monitoring service and no treatments were taking place.  We got notice of LMS availability to be on the lake just prior to their arrival. 

The Environment Committee and LOCA Board of Governors

May 31, 2023

Dear Members,

Over the past few days, there were some shoreline areas that looked unpleasant. We received inquiries as to what was observed, questions if it is harmful and could it possibly be a reaction to the recent nutrient inactivation treatment. Three members of the environment committee reviewed photos and kayaked to some of the locations over the weekend.  In every case what we observed was Spirogyra, also known as water silk.

 Spirogyra is a green filamentous algae that grows in spring then dies off as the waters warm. It is generally found in shallow waters, and often clings to aquatic plants. If you pick it up with a stick or rake it is hair like.  It is not a toxin producing cyanobacteria type algae that causes HABs.   If it is a nuisance, i.e. in a swimming area, it can be raked out or scooped up and can actually be used as a compost in flower beds.  

Also observed, at times in combination with spirogyra:

pollen

diatoms - harmless algae, key source of food for other organisms

Eurasian milfoil - we have treated with herbicide selectively in the past

foam - from wave action and dissolved organic matter 

other aquatic plants

None of what has been observed has any connection to the nutrient inactivation treatment conducted last week.

Please be assured we are monitoring our waters closely and frequently but we also know things can change quickly.  When conducting water monitoring, we do not get right up against the shoreline so will not always see what can be observed from a dock/lakefront.  We are grateful for members sharing their observations and established a new email address for this purpose:  LOCAenvironment@gmail.com.  

During the period of May 18-29, approximately 17 areas of the lake were tested using a multimeter probe, secchi disc, phycocyanin meter and chlorophyll A meter as well as E.Coli testing.

All readings were within normal, healthy ranges.    

The LOCA Environment Committee and Board of Governors

May 18, 2023

The LOCA e-news sent on Tuesday May 16, advised the West Shore boat launch would be closed from Thursday, May 18 - Thursday, May 25.  .We have been advised by Princeton Hydro, the company contracted to perform the nutrient inactivation project, that they will not be using the launch area until Monday, May 22.

Please be advised that the West Shore boat launch area is available today, Thursday, through the end of the day Sunday, May 21.  The launch area will be closed from Monday, May 22 - Friday, May 26.

The Board apologizes  for any inconvenience this may have caused.  Wheels N Props and OffShore Marine have been advised.

The LOCA Board of Governors.

February 23, 2023

Hello LOCA members,

The Greater Culver Lake Watershed Conservation Foundation in conjunction with Frankford Township Clean Communities is sponsoring a cleanup of Culver Lake & Lake Owassa Area Streets 

Earth Day Cleanup | Saturday, April 22 (Rain or shine)
Clean-up starts at the Normanoch Clubhouse on East Shore Culver Road between 8:30 and 9:30 AM. 

Please volunteer to help improve your environment and to help GCL WCF earn money toward our other watershed protection projects shown on our website: GCLWCF.org.

Clean up supplies will be given out: bags for trash and recyclables, orange vests, and gloves (although you may prefer to bring your own gloves). Areas will be assigned as well.

Completion and return of supplies and trash is until 12 noon.

— For more information please contact — 

Danae Dotz at Machebon@aol.com 

or TerryMcQuillin at terrymcquillin@me.com 

Thank you,

Danae

February 23, 2023

Lake Owassa Winter Update

It’s quiet around the lake this time of year, but your Board of Governors and LOCA committees continue to meet and plan for peak lake season!  Our focus on lake water quality has made us keenly aware of seasonal changes and the subsequent impact on lake health.   

This winter has been exceptionally mild, with minimal snowfall and only a few brief periods of solid ice coverage.  This disappoints our ice fishermen but can also affect our water quality as we reach spring and summer.  Lake waters will warm more quickly, and the growing season for weeds and algae will commence sooner, last longer, and potentially create favorable conditions for a HAB (Harmful Algae Bloom).  In addition to sunlight for photosynthesis, algae need phosphorous to grow. Phosphorus enters the lake through stormwater, septic runoff, animal waste, and natural organic decomposition.  It accumulates in the lake's bottom sediments and is then re-released into the water column when the deep water becomes oxygen depleted in summer to create a HAB.  

How can you help?

• Pump your septic system!  Spring rains raise the underground water table and increase wastewater leaching into the lake. Pumping the system keeps the leach field working correctly by preventing clogging.  Thank you to all members who responded positively to our request to pump and inspect their systems. Note that at this time, the LOCA Septic Committee requires proof of pumping every 5 years- allowing a grace period beyond the NJDEP recommended interval of pump outs every 3 years.

• Identify areas of stormwater runoff on your property.  Plant a shoreline vegetative buffer or rain garden of native plants to filter harmful nutrients before entering our lake.  Attend a free one-hour Rain Garden Design Workshop on March 22nd at 1 and 7 pm and receive a free design session with a Rutgers U. professional. Please use this link to register:   Paulins Kill Lake Community Educational Workshops RSVP Form link
  

What is the Board of Governors and LOCA Committees doing to avoid a HAB and protect water quality?
So far this year, we have

• A “Request for Proposals” was issued to lake management companies to treat deep water sediments. These sediments contain phosphorus deposited in past years, which can be released back into the lake during warm weather.

• Issued a “Request for Proposals” to lake management companies for algaecide treatments, as may be needed in the summer. 

• Designed a spring stormwater runoff mapping and phosphorus testing initiative

• Participated in the NJ Watershed Institute Salt Watch. In January, volunteers tested chloride levels at runoff points into Lake Owassa to see if road salt may negatively impact our waters. 

Where are we now, and what’s next?  

The 2021/2022 HAB assessment provided $244,052 for the study, treatment, and control of LOCA’s emerging HAB. Those funds were used to purchase technical equipment needed for comprehensive testing and monitoring and access to Dr. Stephen Souza, a highly experienced and respected lake management consultant. Through testing, monitoring, and consultation, we better understood our lake waters. We could identify emerging blooms and treat the lake early in the 2021/2022 season, avoiding a HAB event.  While we have $165,406 remaining from the 2021/2022 HAB assessment, we will inform the membership if it is sufficient to cover the recommended long-term strategy of sediment nutrient inactivation and any necessary algaecide treatments in 2023. 

Once we receive bid responses to our two Requests for Proposals, we will more clearly know the costs and options.  We can advise the membership on the best course of action in collaboration with Dr. Stephen Souza.  

At this time, it is reasonable to assume that additional funds may be necessary.   This may require a general membership meeting in mid to late March via Zoom for the convenience of LOCA members, who are seasonal.  If so, details will be communicated in early March.   

Respectfully,
Lake Owassa Community Association Board of Governors

JANUARY 23, 2023

Hello LOCA Members,

The Lake Owassa Management Report written by Dr. Souza has determined that septic systems pose a more significant source of phosphorus and nitrogen loading than fertilizers.  Slope, depth to groundwater, and depth to bedrock, along with the natural properties of the soils themselves, limit the effectiveness of a septic field to absorb and retain nitrogen and phosphorus.

The report notes:  “Review of the USDA Web Soil Survey shows that the majority of the soils occurring throughout the Lake Owassa watershed have limited capacity to decrease septic-related nutrient loading.”

The State’s septic system regulations (NJAC 7:8A: Appendix D) list the majority of the native soils within the Lake Owassa watershed as being unsuitable for use in the construction of septic fields.  Combine this with the age of many of the septic systems within the Lake Owassa community and it becomes clear that septic-related nutrient loading needs to be managed.  This is because when soil qualities are marginal for on-site wastewater treatment, nutrients are transported by septic leachate into the lake.  This can occur even for septic systems that are properly functioning.”

It is, for this reason, the LOCA Board of Governors is instituting a mandatory pumping requirement for any member that has not had their wastewater system pumped or inspected in 2017 or prior. This requirement must be met in order to renew your 2023 LOCA membership. A letter will be mailed to those members that have not met this requirement indicating that a receipt of a pumping date or inspection needs to be mailed to the LOCA Community Association at Post Office Box 657, Branchville, NJ 07826 or emailed to locasecretary@hotmail.com .

According to the North American Lakes Management Association (NALMS), “A lake is a reflection of its watershed.”

All members of our LOCA community are within the watershed of Lake Owassa, Culver Lake, and the Paulinskill River and therefore are held accountable for proper pumping/inspection and maintenance of their wastewater systems.

In addition, any member who has not had their wastewater pumped or inspected between January 2018 and December 2019 should complete that requirement by the end of 2023, or risk jeopardizing the renewal of their 2024 membership.     

The LOCA Board of Governors and the Septic Committee are ready to help any member that may need information in order to complete these requirements.

As we begin instituting mandatory pumping requirements over the next couple of years, we encourage all members to maintain their wastewater systems and pump every 3 years.