With all of the headlines revealing the dangers that exist in Grand Lake St Marys, are the Ohio Department of Natural Resources [ODNR] and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency [OEPA] sounding the alarm unnecessarily at other Ohio lakes?

This past week, someone saw what appeared to be an Algal Bloom somewhere on Buckeye Lake and followed up with the assumption that the toxins in the water, in and around Brooks Park may be dangerously high. Without the benefit of any water quality tests, the decision was made to post a Public Health Advisory. Once the results were determined to be safe for recreational use, the decision was made to leave the signs in place for two more weeks to assure that the conditions would remain safe.

The Microsystin Toxins that are being referenced in these studies are released from Blue-Green Algal Blooms. These Blooms occur as a result of an overly rich nutrient environment caused by several factors. The primary cause of the problematic algae in Buckeye Lake is a result of 150 years of private septic systems around the shallow lake, which have contributed to the nutrient levels in the sediment found in the bottom of the lake. When Perry County completed the connection of the last 295 homes along Honey Creek Road to the Thornville Waste Water Treatment Plant, significant progress was made in the improvement of the future water quality in Buckeye Lake.

Other factors also contribute to the Hypereutrophic [high nutrient content] condition of the Lake.

Run-off from the thousands of acres of crop land that make up the Buckeye Lake Watershed, certainly contribute to the conditions, however, before we start throwing stones at our farming neighbors, keep in mind that they are using some of the best farming practices that are available today. Most fields have been properly tiled and drained, preventing excess run-off of top soil. No-Till and Low-Till cultivation practices are being used throughout the watershed by many farmers. The judicious use of various fertilizers are being used, but only as absolutely needed to assure maximum crop yields.

The fertilizer that we apply to our lawns also plays a role in the excess amounts of phosphorous in the lake. This excess can be reduced or eliminated by applying only fertilizers that contain NO PHOSPHOROUS. Simply check the label on the bag. The number in the middle should read -0-. If you are using a lawn service, advise the provider that you want them to only apply chemicals that do not contain phosphorous. Many are already complying with this request. All you have to do is ask!

Don’t Feed the Geese. An adult Canada Goose can produce the equivalent of dumping a 50 pound bag of fertilizer in the lake. Attempting to be a care taker of this bird only adds to the problem of excess nutrients in the lake. Don’t Feed the Geese!

Carp is another contributor to the excess phosphorous in Buckeye Lake. These large fish forage on the bottom and destroy the plant life that has the ability to absorb some of the phosphorous. In addition, Carp also stir up the sediment and prevent sunlight from aiding in the natural decomposition of the excess nutrients. Carp also contribute to the surplus phosphorous through their body excretions that are super rich in nutrients.

Buckeye Lake for Tomorrow is working with ODNR and OEPA to monitor the overall quality of the water and sediment in Buckeye Lake through chemical analysis being done at Heidelberg University and TCCI of New Lexington. The Qualified Data Collectors [QDC] are certified by the OEPA to collect samples from the Lake and assist in determining the clarity and color changes throughout the year. These measurements provide essential information to enable us to better understand the changing condition of the water quality and to better determine the best approach for improving the overall water quality throughout the watershed.

Back to the original question, Is our lake safe?

Using measurements of Microsystin Toxins as a guide, the World Health Organization has established that a level of 1 Part Per Billion [ppb] is considered to be safe for drinking water and a level of 20 ppb is recognized as safe for recreational purposes. In 2010, we had one reading, at one location, during one test that indicated a level of 20 ppb, while all other readings on that test day were found to be 2 ppb or lower. Last August, independent tests done by Buckeye Lake for Tomorrow developed a high reading of 1.6 ppb, with most readings at or near the 1 ppb level. The reading this past week at Brooks Park was 3.56 ppb. Had the test results been known prior to the posting of the signs, the signs would have not likely been posted at all.

If one used clarity as a measurement, the results would be more disappointing. In the 1920’s the clarity of the lake was reported to be around 48”. Today the clarity depth ranges between 7” and 12”, depending on the time of year that the sample is taken.

We are making progress in improving the overall water quality in the watershed, including the lake itself. These shallow man-made lakes in Ohio present an environmental challenge and Mother Nature is a major factor. The heavy rainfalls this spring have produced more runoff than usual thus contributing to the potential for algal bloom, however, unlike the situation at Grand Lake St Marys, the limited number of livestock in the Buckeye Lake Watershed reduces the risk and the action plans that are being developed make containment doable.

We encourage everyone who lives on and around the lake to be responsible stewards of this natural resource and take the steps necessary to protect this fragile environment. Every thing that is done to improve the water quality will go a long way toward reducing the possibility of Buckeye Lake turning into the crisis that the residents around Grand Lake St Marys are facing today.

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Low levels of toxic algae found in Buckeye Lake

BUCKEYE LAKE – July 25, 2009 – Buckeye Lake Beacon

The Ohio EPA recently found low levels of microcystin toxin, or toxic algae, in Buckeye Lake. According to an Ohio EPA report issued July 15, the World Health Organization benchmark for low-risk recreational contact with microcystin is 20 parts per billion (ppb). Samples from Buckeye Lake ranged between 1 to 10 ppb.

More recent samples from Buckeye Lake were well below 10 ppb. Samples were taken at three beaches including Brooks, Fairfield and Crystal beaches. Based on recent test results, there is no need to issue an algae alert for Buckeye Lake.

George O’Donnell, of Buckeye Lake for Tomorrow, said goose fecal matter is not creating the algae, as some have suggested. Instead, O’Donnell said he verified with Linda Merchant- Masonbrink, the Ohio EPA’s Inland Lakes Program coordinator, that phosphorus and nitrogen from 180 years of septic tanks draining near (and occasionally into) the lake cause the toxic algae. Also, O’Donnell said there is not enough high quality (clear) water running through the lake, the lake is currently stagnating a little (it’s now five inches below full pool) and the July heat, are all contributing.

“Septic tanks have created for the last 180 years a very high level of phosphorous and nitrogen,” said O’Donnell. “Phosphorous does not dissipate.” People throwing dog feces, grass clippings, and leaves into the lake don’t help, either, he said. “Should people be concerned? At this level, no,” said O’Donnell, but suggested that pets, babies, and people with respiratory ailments should avoid being in the water. “Mitigation of all the algae problems are on the (Buckeye Lake for Tomorrow) screen and it will take time to reverse the direction the lake is headed,” he said.

According to an Ohio EPA press release, the Ohio EPA and ODNR plan to continue sam- pling throughout the summer depending on funding availability. The Ohio EPA will have ongoing communication with scientists and laboratories studying this topic because algal toxins are an emerging issue in the scientific community.

Linda Fee Oros, state wide issues media coordinator for Ohio EPA, provided The Beacon with the following information:

Question: Should people stay out of the water because of the microcystin toxin?

EPA: The only advisory that is presently in place for microcystin toxin is at Grand Lake St. Marys (in western Ohio, near Celina). The state is concerned about the presence of algal toxins in Grand Lake St. Marys. With the limited information available, people are advised to minimize or eliminate direct contact with the water, especially where accidental ingestion may occur. Non-contact recreation, such as boating, fishing and sunbathing, should not result in problems. Swimming, jet skiing and water skiing are not recommended due to the higher potential for ingestion of lake water. So yes, people should stay out of Grand Lake St. Marys. However, there’s no advisory of this kind for Buckeye Lake. We will continue to monitor Buckeye Lake for microcystin throughout the summer.

Q: What is microcystin toxin?  

EPA: Bluegreen algae are actually bacteria (cyanobacteria), but are commonly described as algae. There are many species of algae and most do not produce toxins. One type of toxin produced by some bluegreen algae is known as microcystin. Scientists do not fully understand what causes the same species of algae to trigger toxin production during one bloom and then not produce toxin during the next.

Q: How does microcystin toxin affect people and wildlife?

EPA: Health effects from contact can include skin irritation such as a rash or hay fever-like symptoms. Ingestion may cause gastrointestinal illness and eventually liver issues, according to the World Health Organization. The primary exposure pathway of concern is ingestion of untreated water. Pets, particularly dogs, are especially susceptible to harmful health effects if they are in the lake water, due to the amount of water they tend to ingest compared to their size. Pets should not be allowed to play in or drink water where algal blooms are present or when microcystin toxin levels are 20 parts per billion or higher (Buckeye Lake is well below 20 parts per billion).

Q: Does Buckeye Lake have a low amount of the toxin?

EPA: Samples taken near three beaches along Buckeye Lake over the last three weeks ranged from .4 to 1.3. According to World Health Organization Provisional Guidelines for Microcystin, levels above 20 parts per billion are considered a moderate risk. Right now, Buckeye Lake is testing quite a bit below that level. Weekly testing will continue throughout the recreation season and results will be posted on the Ohio EPA Inland Lakes Monitoring Program web site (http://www.epa.state.oh.us/ dsw/inland_lakes/index.html). If a Water Quality Advisory is issued, it will be posted at the state park beaches and on the above web site.

Q: Is the toxin level consistent  throughout the lake?

EPA: The state has a limited amount of actual sampling data. The samples have been taken at the state park beaches. However, it is reasonable to assume that algal toxins could be present anywhere in a lake where microcystin has been found. This is because the lake is shallow and the water is easily moved by wind. In addition, you can see from the sample results that there has been quite a bit of fluctuation in microcystin samples taken so far.

Q: What can be done to eliminate the toxin?

EPA: Streams in the watershed are impaired primarily by high levels of bacteria from livestock operations, failing residential septic systems and fertilizers and algae herbicides over-applied to grass and plants. In addition, livestock and row crop agriculture runoff allow phosphorus and nitrates to enter the streams and lake, resulting in heavy algal growth. Stream channel modification can contribute excess soil to streams that leads to damaged aquatic life habitat and downstream transport to the lake. Conservation farming practices, improved manure management and upgraded home septic systems would lead to major improvements.

Q: What caused it?

EPA: It is caused by nutrients, including phosphorus, that drain off the landscape and into the lake. The nutrients can contribute to algae growth.

Q: When will there be more tests?

EPA: Ohio EPA and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources will work together on weekly sampling throughout the summer in an effort to collect more data about the presence of algal toxins.