MEAD LAKE RESTORATION
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 -- 11:59 AM
A group is forming in the hopes of restoring Mead Lake to its past glory. But, it won?t happen overnight, says Clark County conservationist Matt Zoschke."It took 50 years for the lake to get to the algae levels it has currently and it's going to take some time--possibly two, three decades--to get it back to the clear water that the citizens that use and live around the lake would like to seek," says Zoschke.
He facilitated a public meeting on Mead Lake?s future last week. About 60 people attended. 30 volunteered for a special committee that will work on efforts to clean up Mead Lake.
The lake, located northwest of Greenwood, has suffered from significant algae blooms.
"The problem...stems from an over abundance of phosphorous and sediment that come from the south fork of the Eau Claire River," he explains, "Some of it is going to be agricultural non-point (pollution), some of it is going to be wood lots, fertilizer on lawns, pet waste, things such as that."
Zoschke says the problem is so bad, the lake isn?t desirable for swimming and the algae could eventually suffocate the fish population.
"It used to be a nice clean lake. Body contact, recreation, swimming, fishing, water skiing. Not too many people want to swim in the lake anymore. We're hoping to get it to the point people will want to stick their toes in," he says."
Step one is encouraging farmers and other property owners upstream to limit their use of phosphorous-containing fertilizers. So far, the farming community has been working with conservationists and Zoschke doesn?t anticipate having to use regulatory measures.
The newly formed public committee hopes to form an implementation strategy by mid-summer.
If you have any questions or comments, you can call the Land Conservation department at 743-5102.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.