E-News / Newsletter
LOCA General Membership Meeting
Results from election below:
Newsletters
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Spring 2025
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Summer 2024
E-NEWS
June 17, 2025
HAB FOLLOW UP
Lake Management Services will be on the lake today with the airboat to assess the Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB), particularly along the West Shore.
Spot treatment will be done as needed utilizing Green Clean Pro. Green Clean Pro is a peroxide based algaecide that targets cyanobacteria and filamentous algae. Green Clean Pro has never been utilized in Lake Owassa so we will be monitoring its effectiveness. It is copper free, biodegradable and oxidizes upon contact.
We expect to see floating, decaying organic matter in the next few days. You may rake and remove this from the lake. Doing so decreases the amount of nutrients available to fuel future algae growth.
There are no water use restrictions. Please stay clear of the airboat.
June 15, 2025
Harmful Algal Bloom
We are aware there is evidence of a harmful algal bloom along the west shore. Our water monitoring team is keeping an eye on this situation and determining if any treatment is necessary.
Please avoid areas of visible surface scum and do not let your pets drink from the lake.
There is no evidence of a bloom in the open areas of the lake. It appears to be towards the west shoreline in the shallow water.
May, 2025 was the 5th wettest month on record in the 130 years of monitoring, which has likely washed a lot of excess nutrients into the lake.
If you observe anything along your shoreline, please send a photo to locaenvironment@gmail.com.
We will keep you informed if any treatment is to occur.
LOCA Environment Committee
May 19, 2025
Recreational Water Quality (RWQ) - E. coli
The initial Recreational Water Quality (RWQ) samples of the 2025 season were collected by Carole and Mark Vogel on May 12th 2025 from ten locations around Lake Owassa. The samples were then analyzed in a laboratory to measure the presence of E. coli bacteria, quantifying them in terms of colony forming units (cfu) per 100 milliliters of water.
LOCA has monitored RWQ data since the 1980s to track levels of E. coli, which can cause gastrointestinal illnesses and other illnesses in humans. Research indicates that the risk of illness significantly increases when E. coli levels exceed 100 cfu per 100 ml. When this threshold is surpassed, the LOCA Board of Governors issues health advisories to the lake community.
The following table presents May results, showing a good lake median value of 12.7. There are no areas of concern and this follows rain which washed some waste into the lake. No concentration of cyanobacteria was observed during this collection. There was some level of opacity to the water as expected after the early season rains and a Secchi reading was 35”. (When the lake is clear the Secchi reading is over 48”.) The lake level is good and has risen 7.5 inches since February lows. Typically, the water level declines only 5” from mid-May to lows mid-August.
Make it stand out
RWQ testing enables LOCA to monitor for potential leaking septic systems and other sources of human and animal waste contaminants entering the lake. The highest readings at B-28 and the inlet are still low. The support from LOCA members for the septic system inspection and pumping program, along with the fertilizer ban, contributes to the overall water quality.
RWQ samples are collected monthly from May through September. If an alert is generated it will be communicated via an E-news with appropriate recommendations. Any alert condition triggers follow-up testing in the following week.
May 3, 2025
Gypsy Moth Suppression
Thank you to our members who participated last year in the gypsy moth surveillance program by reporting gypsy moth activity on your property to the Frankford Township clerk. The state, working with local municipal governments, was conducting an egg mass survey to determine this spring’s gypsy moth aerial suppression program.
We have learned that due to limited funds the state will not be spraying in our area and Frankford Township will only be doing limited spraying on municipally owned land at Frankford Park.
Two to three consecutive years of significant defoliation (defined as 75 percent or more) can kill an otherwise healthy tree, especially oak.
Here is the link to the map that the State developed to show areas that may benefit from control measures based on surveillance conducted last fall. As you can see, it includes all around Lake Owassa.
https://frankfordtownship.org/municipal/bids_rfp/2025/Gypsy-Moth-Caterpillar-Saturation-Map.pdf
If you are interested suppressing gypsy moths on your property, the time to act is now. Here is information about things you can do: https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/pdf/USDAGMfactsheet.pdf
The following are possible applicators. This is not an endorsement of any particular contractor and we do not have information on their pricing or availability: Farmside, Middenstead, Grecco, McCullough, Antonio’s.
Please ask the contractor what product is used and request they direct the spray away from the lake. Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.), is a biological insecticide that we have been advised is safe for use around the lake.
More information about gypsy moths:
https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/prog/gmhomeowners.html
April 11, 2025
Hello LOCA Members,
The LOCA Communication Committee is updating the Suggested Service Providers list for Lake Owassa members. This list is included in new member packets and posted on our Lake Owassa website.
We need your input:
Have you used a recommended provider whose services were disappointing or who overcharged you? If so, please let us know, and we will remove the provider from the list.
Did you notice any errors on the list, such as incorrect phone numbers or outdated information? Please let us know so we can correct them.
Are there providers you’ve worked with who should be added to the list? If so, please share their name and contact information. We’re especially interested in recommendations for:
o Contractors
o Electricians
o Fuel Suppliers
o Heating & Air Conditioning o Home Repairs
o Landscaping
o Plumbers
o Snowplowing
o Tree Experts
o Window Cleaning
Are you a provider whose name is on the list? If so, please let us know if you want to continue to be listed.
Are you a service provider who would like to be added to the list? If so, please send us your information.
Thank you for helping us keep the list accurate and useful for our community! Please, send your suggestions to Carole Vogel carolevogel51@gmail.com
The Communication Committee
Feb 23, 2025
CALLING ALL LAKE OWASSA HOMEOWNERS TO SAVE LAKE COSTS
Sign up for March 5, 2025 Rain Garden Training and Funding!
Download PDF for details
