Winona Discusses Water Quality
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
A meeting was previously held March 21 to begin discussing methods to improve the lake's water quality.
The lake's water quality also was discussed at the annual Winona Lake Preservation Association meeting April 24 at the Ramada Plaza in Warsaw.
The March 21 meeting stemmed from an oil spill that occurred on Winona Lake Feb. 20-21 where coots, three Canadian Geese and two ducks were found dead on the lake.
Those who attended Wednesday's meeting included Winona Lake Preservation Association members Joy Lohse, Chris Rankin and Chris Cummins; Darci Zolman, program administrator for Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District; City Councilman Joe Thallemer; and Michael Harstine, Grace College.
Cummins said Winona Lake will be sprayed for weeds and algae blooms next week.
"We will intersperse treatments between exotic and native weeds to consistently treat and control the weeds," Cummins said.
Thallemer said he believes areas that impact Winona Lake include agricultural, residential and potentially industrial runoff.
"The cards are on the table now, it's a matter of looking at these areas and figuring out how to take action steps on improving the areas," Thallemer said.
He said he is willing to discuss urban runoff solutions with Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins and the Warsaw City Council.
Thallemer said he received a pamphlet at the March 21 meeting on separators that can be installed in storm sewer drainage systems to trap elements before they enter the lake.
"I am interested in looking into this option and figuring out the cost and effectiveness," Thallemer said.
Zolman said a Hoosier Volunteer Riverwatch Training will be held June 19 at Winona Lake Park from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The free workshop will allow those who participate to learn monitoring techniques to assess water quality through physical assessment and biological and chemical testing.
Testing will be conducted at Cherry Creek and Winona Lake.
After completion of the training, volunteers can perform stream testing for a wide variety of possible pollutants, Zolman said.
Lohse suggested WLPA distribute a more-detailed pamphlet to lake residents on a quarterly basis that will inform them how to preserve the lake.
The association currently distributes a newsletter to about 420 lakefront residents.
"This information would help make lake residents aware of how they can positively affect water quality over an extended period of time," Lohse said.
She also suggested a lake clean-up day could be held where lake residents, Grace College students and community leaders could clean lakes.
She said she has been in contact with Bill Jones, clinical associate professor for the school of public and environmental affairs at Indiana University, about a report on water transparency of Winona Lake.
Jones wrote in an e-mail to Lohse that the college had a volunteer monitor on the lake from 1992 to 2004.
Thallemer said he would like to contact Jones about the report.
Harstine said Grace College will have a new environmental biology program in the fall.
He suggested WLPA could partner with the college, and the professor chosen for the position could attend water quality meetings to provide input on water quality.
Thallemer agreed Grace College could provide valuable insight into water quality solutions.
"Grace could be an educational resource and we could use the institution of higher learning to provide input," Thallemer said.
For more information about the riverwatch training workshop or to register, call Zolman at 574-267-7445, Ext. 3.[[In-content Ad]]
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A meeting was previously held March 21 to begin discussing methods to improve the lake's water quality.
The lake's water quality also was discussed at the annual Winona Lake Preservation Association meeting April 24 at the Ramada Plaza in Warsaw.
The March 21 meeting stemmed from an oil spill that occurred on Winona Lake Feb. 20-21 where coots, three Canadian Geese and two ducks were found dead on the lake.
Those who attended Wednesday's meeting included Winona Lake Preservation Association members Joy Lohse, Chris Rankin and Chris Cummins; Darci Zolman, program administrator for Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District; City Councilman Joe Thallemer; and Michael Harstine, Grace College.
Cummins said Winona Lake will be sprayed for weeds and algae blooms next week.
"We will intersperse treatments between exotic and native weeds to consistently treat and control the weeds," Cummins said.
Thallemer said he believes areas that impact Winona Lake include agricultural, residential and potentially industrial runoff.
"The cards are on the table now, it's a matter of looking at these areas and figuring out how to take action steps on improving the areas," Thallemer said.
He said he is willing to discuss urban runoff solutions with Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins and the Warsaw City Council.
Thallemer said he received a pamphlet at the March 21 meeting on separators that can be installed in storm sewer drainage systems to trap elements before they enter the lake.
"I am interested in looking into this option and figuring out the cost and effectiveness," Thallemer said.
Zolman said a Hoosier Volunteer Riverwatch Training will be held June 19 at Winona Lake Park from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The free workshop will allow those who participate to learn monitoring techniques to assess water quality through physical assessment and biological and chemical testing.
Testing will be conducted at Cherry Creek and Winona Lake.
After completion of the training, volunteers can perform stream testing for a wide variety of possible pollutants, Zolman said.
Lohse suggested WLPA distribute a more-detailed pamphlet to lake residents on a quarterly basis that will inform them how to preserve the lake.
The association currently distributes a newsletter to about 420 lakefront residents.
"This information would help make lake residents aware of how they can positively affect water quality over an extended period of time," Lohse said.
She also suggested a lake clean-up day could be held where lake residents, Grace College students and community leaders could clean lakes.
She said she has been in contact with Bill Jones, clinical associate professor for the school of public and environmental affairs at Indiana University, about a report on water transparency of Winona Lake.
Jones wrote in an e-mail to Lohse that the college had a volunteer monitor on the lake from 1992 to 2004.
Thallemer said he would like to contact Jones about the report.
Harstine said Grace College will have a new environmental biology program in the fall.
He suggested WLPA could partner with the college, and the professor chosen for the position could attend water quality meetings to provide input on water quality.
Thallemer agreed Grace College could provide valuable insight into water quality solutions.
"Grace could be an educational resource and we could use the institution of higher learning to provide input," Thallemer said.
For more information about the riverwatch training workshop or to register, call Zolman at 574-267-7445, Ext. 3.[[In-content Ad]]
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