Don’t feed the dam ducks!
Water Quality Testing Process
The Eastern Sarpy Lake Improvement Association, hereinafter referred to as the “Association,” has chartered the Hanson Lake 2 (HL2) Water Quality Committee with responsibility to plan and oversee actions required to insure water testing takes place at appropriate times insuring water is safe.
Water Testing Lab Facility
ESCLIA / HL2 has an account with Midwest Labs (as of 4/20/11). This allows for data to be saved at Midwest Labs under one name/account which allows for better retention of historical data. It is available on-line and data is tracked for easy comparisons between test periods. Delivery of Test Materials to Residents Upon request Midwest Labs will send test materials to the lake representative in charge of water testing. The kit includes water sample containers, labels, and a cooler for returning water samples to the lab via mail.
Algae Bloom
Our lake goes through its normal inversion process which includes an algae bloom that lasts about 1 week. The water from the bottom half of the lake actually rises to the upper half and brings with it all kinds of nutrients that cause an algae bloom.
Here are some tips on what you can do, and things to avoid:
Be aware of areas with thick clumps of algae and keep animals and children away from the water.
Don’t wade or swim in water containing visible algae. Avoid direct contact with algae.
Make sure children are supervised at all times when they are near water. Drowning, not exposure to algae, remains the greatest hazard of water recreation.
If you do come in contact with the algae, rinse off with fresh water as soon as possible.
Don’t boat or water ski through algae blooms.
Don’t drink the water, and avoid any situation that could lead to swallowing the water.
DUCKS AND GEESE
Ducks and geese are considered by many to be cute and incapable of fending for themselves. However, they can be problematic to lake environments. Ducks and geese are grazers and do not need to be fed. Feeding encourages waterfowl to congregate and in some cases makes them aggressive, attracts other waterfowl, tends to domesticate waterfowl making them harder to scare, harass or relocate, and could lead to an increased susceptibility to disease.
Private citizens are allowed to haze, scare or harass waterfowl without any special permits, but waterfowl cannot be touched by hand or killed.