West Boggs working on water answers

Sep. 27—LOOGOOTEE — The search is on for a permanent solution to algae issues at Boggs Lake. High levels of blue-green algae and toxins produced by the algae closed the lake to swimming July 4 weekend.

Those levels have fallen enough that officials are no longer closing the lake to swimming, but they are still high enough that there are no recommendations that people head into the water.

"We are having high algal cell counts," said West Boggs Park Superintendent Jason Rihm. "We have had above IDEM's recommendation for blue-green algae this summer. The lake looks good. The numbers are in the area where IDEM says people should keep their pets out of the water and if you do go in, you need to wash off right away, because while the cell counts have been high, the toxin levels have been low. It would still be considered hazardous to swim."

The problem at the lake is not just a recent one. It is the result of a build up of phosphorous that has been flowing into the lake for decades. Those high loads of phosphorous feed the algae in the lake and when the warm temperatures hit, the algae begins growing.

"Sediment comes into the lake when it rains on uncovered farm lands, fertilized lawns, and the phosphorous bonds with clay that enters the lake as sediment," said Rihm.

There are chemical treatments that can neutralize the phosphorous, but to treat the entire lake would cost millions. Even then, that would not fix the problem of run-off from the 8,400 acre watershed. Rihm says the lake is reaching out hoping to use education to help cut back on the lake pollution.

"We have passed out pamphlets, things like that in the watershed," he said. "We are also looking for filter strips, pulling animals out of the waterways, reducing uncovered manure piles."

Those are just a few of the things that could impact run-off that creates issues in the watershed. Others include:

—Cover Crops — aid in erosion control, water infiltration, reduced nitrate loss, reduced phosphorus loss, weed suppression, and improved soil health

—Conservation Tillage — these practices such as no-till, strip-till, and ridge-till leave the surface of the soil undisturbed until planting time. High volumes of crop residue/cover crops are left to protect against erosion from wind/rain and supply nutrients to any crops planted via a variety of 'one pass' types of equipment (decreasing soil compaction)

—Nutrient/Pest Management Planning — these plans specify the source, amount, form, timing, and method of application of nutrients on each field in order to achieve realistic production levels while also minimizing the transportation of nutrients to surface and/or groundwater

—Manure Management Planning and Livestock Access — proper management of manure is especially imperative when in close proximity to any water source and can be implemented through a variety of BMP's, through composting, safe storage, and safe land application

—Filter Strips/Critical Area Plantings — strips or sections of selected grasses, forbs, and/or legumes that aid in filtration of sediment and nutrients in runoff from adjacent agricultural land

—Grassed Waterways & Grade Control Structures — usually necessary where a gully has formed, it is a shallow channel that is shaped and seeded with vegetation to aid in the conveyance of runoff from agricultural land

—Wetland Construction/Restoration — among many benefits, they aid in retaining and gradually releasing floodwater and filtration of excess nutrients

—Livestock Fencing, Stream Crossings, and Watering Facilities — fencing livestock out of streams and providing watering facilities away from sensitive areas can aid in the reduction of erosion and E. coli

—Heavy Use Area Protection — in areas where livestock congregate (feed/water locations), these can aid in the reduction of erosion and livestock disease

—Tree Plantings — establishment of a stand of trees can help conserve soil, retain moisture, and control erosion, as well as many other benefits.

The park is trying to take other steps that include forming a conservancy district in the watershed.

"We have a law firm looking into a Conservancy District for us," said Rihm. "They are also helping us try and capture grants that might help with the lake."

Another area that could help the lake recover are some old retention basins that are located upstream from the Lake. Those basins are currently full of sediment and need of work.

"We are completing a study on those two sediment basins and the potential for mitigation," said Rihm. "We are considering either dredging them out or turning them into wetlands. Both would be very expensive."

The final piece of the puzzle, as Rihm describes it, would be figuring out the best actions to take with the lake.

While Rihm and the park are spearheading the proposals, there is an additional committee that is made up of people within the watershed who are also trying to find more and better solutions.

"We have a committee of 10 folks who are volunteers that live in the watershed. It is a pretty diverse background. It includes Amish and English. People from the farming community, some people with backgrounds in waste water treatment, scientists and things like that," said Rihm. "We meet once a month and review what the park is doing and come up with ideas for projects and funding to fix our water quality issues."

Rihm says that the park is reaching out to the community to try and get more involvement into the water heading into the lake.

"We are going to have a community meeting about this, probably next spring," he said. "We are going to try and work with everyone and show them why it is important for them to keep their soil in place."

Even if the people in the watershed take on all best practices to limit phosphorous laden run-off into the lake it will still take millions of dollars to correct the damage that has already been done. Dollars that the park does not have.

"This lake is a primary source of recreation for the people who live in Martin-Daviess County," said Rihm. "It is also the center-point of an outdoor recreation effort that produces millions into the local economy annually."