Community Meeting May 18, 2019 10 a.m. Felter’s Association Clubhouse Antioch, Illinois
Agenda Introduction Current Challenges and Plan of Action Actions to Date 2019 Goals Volunteer Opportunities
Introduction Friends of Catherine and Channel Lakes’ mission is to maintain the sanctity of Lake Catherine and Channel Lakes, to continuously improve and maintain the lakes’ ecosystem, and to establish and implement value-enriched programs to enhance the overall quality of lake life. Our goal is to return Lake Catherine and Channel Lake to pristine condition by eradicating invasive plant species, reducing pollution and increasing awareness about how to care for the lakes. We are doing this through the implementation of a detailed Lake Management Plan. Please join the cause by getting involved. Many hands make light work.
Current Situation Both lakes are impaired due to excessive phosphorus. Internal loading is the dominant source of phosphorus (40%) Other watershed surface water sources are the second highest contributor (31%) Storm drains account for 13% of the total phosphorous load Both lakes experience intense algal blooms. Bluegreen algae dominate these blooms. The rooted plant community is dominated by the invasive species Eurasian watermilfoil (63-79% occurrence; Cochran & Wilken 2000). Coontail was the second most abundant species. The invasive species curly leaf pondweed is also found in these lakes. Fox River Watershed TMDL Stage I Report: http://www.epa.state.il.us/water/tmdl/report/upper-fox-chain/stage-one-draft.pdf
Current Situation 20 2014 14 Sum Summary Rep eport – Cha hannel Lak Lake Prepared by the Lake County Health Department http://www.lakecountyil.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/14187 20 2014 14 Sum Summary Rep eport – Lak Lake Catherine Prepared by the Lake County Health Department http://www.lakecountyil.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/14191 20 2019 19 St Stag age 3 3 Tot otal Maxi ximum Dail Daily Loa Load (T (TMDL) Rep eport https://www2.illinois.gov/epa/public- notices/Documents/Upper%20Fox%20River%20- %20Chain%20O%20Lakes%20TMDL%20Public%20Draft%20030519_wi th%20Apps.pdf
Current Situation The water clarity has significantly decreased in Channel Lake since 2002. The 2014 average Secchi depth was 2.8 feet, this is a decrease of 140% from the average Secchi depth in 2002 of 6.75 feet. Water clarity has decreased significantly in Lake Catherine since 2002; the average Secchi depth in 2002 was 6.58 mg/L compared to the 2014 average Secchi depth of 2.90 mg/L. This is a 127% decrease in water clarity within 12 years. Total suspended solids impact water clarity and sources are storm water, plant and algal blooms, wastewater treatment plants, failing septic, recreational boating and invasive species. Upper Fox River/Chain TMDL 03/2019: https://www2.illinois.gov/epa/public-notices/Documents/Upper%20Fox%20River%20- %20Chain%20O%20Lakes%20TMDL%20Public%20Draft%20030519_with%20Apps.pdf
Current Situation Tot otal Sus Suspended Soli Solids Co Concentrations in in Lak Lake Ca Catherine Tot otal Susp Suspended Soli Solids s Concentrations s in in Cha hannel Lak Lake
Phosphorus Load The total phosphorus load from runoff into the Lake Catherine and Channel Lake system is estimated to be approximately 5,290 lbs/year based on flow and land use characteristics. The total annual internal phosphorus loads are estimated to be approximately 484 and 1,023 lbs/year for Lake Catherine and Channel Lake, respectively.
Phosphorus Load TMDLs were developed for the 26 phosphorus-impaired lakes within the Upper Fox River/Chain O’ Lakes watershed to estimate the pounds of total phosphorus that can be allowed as input to each lake per day and still meet the applicable water quality standard. The lowest applicable water quality standard and TMDL target for total phosphorus is 0.05 mg/L. T Upper Fox River/Chain TMDL 03/2019: https://www2.illinois.gov/epa/public-notices/Documents/Upper%20Fox%20River%20- %20Chain%20O%20Lakes%20TMDL%20Public%20Draft%20030519_with%20Apps.pdf
Primary Goals Overarching objective: Im Improve water qualit lity in in bot oth lak lakes Reduce poll ollutants Goal: Filter water entering lakes Goal: Reduce nutrients from internal loading Goal: Increase awareness Reduce in invasive plan lant sp specie ies Goal: Reduce use of chemicals, implement harvesting program Goal: Populate native plant species In Increase oxygen Goal: Implement aeration system
Actions to Date Coordinated with IDNR, EPA, Fox Waterway Agency, Lake County, etc. Created Lake Management Plan Explored Harvesting Program Permitting: Incidental Take Assessment Explored Filtration System Engineering Study
Actions to Date Explored Bio-enzyme Pilot Program (helpful bacteria) Handled seasonal water testing in conjunction with the EPA (Secchi, DO) Fundraised Grants from Sherman Fairchild Foundation Personal donations Created Awareness Program Website – www.catherineandchannellakes.org Facebook – www.facebook.com/catherineandchannel Email database 4 th of July Parade
2019 Goals: Harvesting Working to secure permit approval Protected minnows Define restrictions Required conservation plan Replanting natives Implement harvesting program
2019 Goals: Filtration Complete filtration study Utilize study to secure grant funding
2019 Goals: Bio-augmentation Pilot Worked with IL DNR & IL EPA to implement pilot program at SW corner of Channel Lake Eco-Cat review completed and 2-yr. LOP issued April 2019 Samples take 5/6/2019 for sediment depth & % TVS Avg. Depth ≈ 24” (18” - 48”) % TVS= 26% – 34%
Goals: 2019 Beyond Raise money to continue this great work Increase the number of volunteers involved Build awareness Increase grant applications Explore corporate donations Implement conservation plan / ITA
Volunteer Opportunities Fu Fundrais ise Donate Secure corporate funding Write grants Vol olunteer Operate harvesting program Implement conservation plan Help with communications (social media, email) Host events, lake clean up days
Thank you.
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