LAKE
QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAM “LAKE CAMELOT STEPS UP”
On Friday, May 25, 2007, at 9:00 a.m., LCPOA had 13
volunteers who met at the lodge. Reesa Evans from Adams County Land
and Water Department (ACLW), trained us to test the quality of the
Lake Camelot water. We did basic learning at the lodge followed by
an early lunch before setting out on the lake. We had two pontoons
available to practice what we learned. We are proud to have taken a
strong lead in providing extra testing beyond the one sample per
month being done by ACLW and funded by the DNR.
We plan on testing 8 sample sites at numerous times
throughout the summer, including upper and lower Camelots, plus the
channel. We will initially be testing for clarity, total phosphorus,
and chlorophyll A. We will also identify invasive species and
aquatic plants and provide helpful information on the Clean
Boats/Clean Water program. Our water samples will be taken to UWSP
for lab analysis. The Tri Lakes District has agreed to pay for our
extended monitoring. I encourage all who use and enjoy this valuable
asset to take responsibility to preserve and improve Lake Camelot.
We continue to improve in our areas of responsibility as
property owners. These areas include water quality monitoring, using
non-phosphorus fertilizers, and following up on properly operating
septic and sanitation requirements. Our goal as a grpi[ is to do our
part to encourage ACLW and DNR to follow up on proper monitoring of
our watershed. Chris Murphy, ACLW Manager, has stated that he will
monitor and sample 14 Mile Creek, which includes Leola Ditch and
other supply sources. We are preparing informational handouts for
lake users, which will include information on invasive species,
weeds and zebra mussels, and Clean Boats/Clean Water. Additional
sampling will be scheduled and dates provided soon.
We need to be proactive and responsible for our greatest
asset – Lake Camelot. This will allow us to be in a more
knowledgeable position to require cooperation from others
responsible for positive action in responding to our water quality
concerns.
Thanks to each of you who care, participate, and want to
improve our greatest asset.
