Here at the Lake of the Ozarks, LOWA has teamed up with MO DNR in the Lake of the Ozarks (LOZ) E. coli Cove Study. Many studies of water quality at LOZ have been conducted over the past 4-5 decades. Summaries of many of those studies can be found at the LOWA website, www.sosLOWA.org, and most of them discuss the issue of septic tanks and permitted facilities on the shores of LOZ. When LOWA first formed in 2006, MO DNR and AmerenUE were discussing beginning a 5-year study to establish a baseline for E. coli levels in the coves of LOZ. LOWA offered the services of volunteers around the lake to help collect water samples for the study and with the LOWA volunteers on board, 3 times as many samples were able to be collected than in the original study design. Here are a couple of pictures from the last sampling date, including the chain of custody for the sampling bottles and paper work.
Last year, in May of 2009, samples were collected right after a weekend of very heavy rains and over have of the samples collected that day came back with E. coli readings over 126 mpn (the level being used at that time; this year the sample level is 235 mpn, which is the same as the single sample standard for public beaches). And then, the results were held for a few weeks before release and the public got angry. The LOZ E. coli Cove Study was never meant to be an indicator for public health but government agencies missed a golden opportunity to educate the public about what E. coli readings really mean. The rest of 2009 showed minimal amounts of E. coli and so far, 2010 has shown minimal amounts of E. coli, but what do these readings really mean also? E. coli is an indicator species, meaning that the more E. coli is found, the more likely other pathogenic (disease-causing) organisms will also be present (very few strains of E. coli are actually pathogenic). At a single sample level of 235 mpn, statistically 8 out of 1000 swimmers will develop some kind of gastrointestinal illness and this is the level Missouri and many other states have adopted for their single sample level for waters with whole body contact.
Heavy rains often wash fecal matter and other E. coli sources into a body of water with the runoff. Then, combined with the sediment being washed into the water as well, bacteria levels can grow too high very quickly. But, just as quickly, the E. coli levels can return to normal. Folks here at the Lake of the Ozarks know that one shouldn’t swim right after a heavy rain. Give that runoff a chance to dissipate and let the waters clear up. LOWA is glad to be able to assist MO DNR in the LOZ E. coli Cove Study by collecting water samples and LOWA is also glad to assist the entire Lake area in helping to educate the public about E. coli, what those readings really mean, and precautions to take while swimming in any lake. This year the media is reporting on lakes and public beaches all over Missouri and we are finding that Lake of the Ozarks has very high water quality and is one of the cleanest lakes in our state. However, this Lake can be stressed and LOWA is working proactively to try to reduce the amount of runoff reaching the Lake, which will then help to reduce any bacteria levels, in addition to sediment levels and nutrient levels – they are all interrelated. For the home owners, LOWA is introducing their LOWA LILs Program. LILs = Low Impact Landscaping and is based on the Healthy Yards for Clean Waters and the Show Me Yards and Neighborhoods programs active in Springfield and Columbia. There are many ways individuals can help to reduce the amount of stormwater runoff reaching the lake and rain gardens and rain barrels are just a couple of those helpful practices. At LOWA’s July public meeting (at Tan-Tar-A on July 19 at 6:30 in Salon B), Bryan Vance from AmerenUE will discuss how AmerenUE’s Shoreline Management Plan and the LOWA LIL Program work together to reduce the amount of runoff reaching the Lake. All are invited!
September 25 and 26, LOWA is also planning a Clean Water Celebration with a 2 Dam Days marathon paddle race from Truman Dam to Bagnell Dam in 2 days; at the same time, we’ll also have a Just for Fun Paddling Event of about 14 miles on Saturday. We'll also have a Clean Water Festival at the starting point in Drake Harbor, Warsaw, at Captain Ron's in Sunrise Beach (Saturday's endpoint and Sunday's starting point), and at the Bagnell Dam Stage on the Bagnell Dam Strip. There will be fun and activities for all! For more information on our Kayak and Canoe Paddles Races at the Lake of the Ozarks, go to www.2damdays.org or visit the LOWA website at www.sosLOWA.org. Happy Paddling!
No comments:
Post a Comment