Lake Conditions

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2024 Lake Assessment

2023 Lake Assessment

December 2022 Lake Assessment

Lake 1: Small Lake
The lake was milky slightly black looking. OK. Geese and geese manure were present.Nutrient levels were elevated this for Phosphorous. Nitrogen low good. There were am few geese at the lake when I was there.

Lake 2:Large Middle Lake
At the time of my visit the lake was milky and slightly brownish looking. Looked OK. Nutrient levels for phosphorous were elevated. Nitrogen low.

Lake 3:
Lake Superior was milky black looking again this month - OK. Nutrient phosphorous was elevated and nitrogen were excessive. We will want to monitor this before spring weather warms the lake. Nutrients in November were low.

November 2022 Lake Assessment

Lake 1: Small Lake
The lake was milky slightly black looking. OK. Nutrient levels were elevated this month for Phosphorous. Nitrogen low good. There were a lot of geese at the lake when I was there.

Lake 2:Large Middle Lake
At the time of my visit the lake was milky and slightly brownish bleak again this month. Looked OK. Nutrient levels for phosphorous were high. Nitrogen low. Looks like erosion is redeveloping near the lakes outlet.

Lake 3:
Lake Superior was milky black looking - OK. Nutrient phosphorous was elevated and nitrogen was low. At the time of my visit leaves were covering the outlet grate.

October 2022 Lake Assessment

Lake 1: Small Lake
At the time of my visit the lake was milky slightly greenish looking. Looked OK. Nutrient levels were low – very good.
 

Lake 2:Large Middle Lake
At the time of my visit the lake was milky and slightly brownish bleak. Looking OK. Nutrient levels for phosphorous were low –good. Nitrogen was elevated.
 

Lake 3:
Lake Superior was milky green looking - OK. Nutrient phosphorous was elevated and nitrogen was low.

September 2022 Lake Assessment 

Lake 1: Small Lake
At the time of my visit the lake was milky slightly black looking. Looked OK. Nutrient levels were slightly elevated for both nitrogen and phosphorous. Aquatic plants were not a problem.
 

Lake 2:Large Middle Lake
At the time of my visit the lake was milky and slightly brownish green appearing. Nutrient levels low – good.

Lake 3:
Lake Superior was milky brown looking. Planktonic blue-green algae, which we were watching from last month, were not a problem this month.

Nutrient Phosphorous and nitrogen levels continue to be very high. If water temperatures were not cooling planktonic algae would likely continue to be a problem.At the time I was at the lake I noticed the lawn care company had cut over some of the iris plants that were planted as a form of Aquascaping The cut plants likely will come back.
 

Aquascaping is the modification of an aquatic environment by the use of aquatic plants, rocks,boulders, and even terrestrial plants to create an aesthetically pleasing environment and/or to provide a beneficial function like geese management or bank stabilization.

Functional purposes may be integrated to include bank stabilization & erosion control as runoff buffers. Modifications may also provide habitat modifications to deter geese or other pests, or create habitat improvement to encourage increased biodiversity of desired species.

Desirable aquatic plants may help improve overall water quality while being aesthetically attractive.

August 2022 Lake Assessment 

Lake 1: Small Lake
At the time of my visit the lake had a slight windblown scum likely from a recent insect hatch. For a lake valued for its fishery this is not a problem. The lake was milky black looking and slightly flowing. Looked OK. Nutrient levels were low for nitrogen but very high for phosphorous. Some planktonic algae was developing, but not considered a problem.

Lake 2:Large Middle Lake
At the time of my visit the lake was milky brownish appearing again this month and flowing after a recent rain event. Nutrient levels were evaluated for both nitrogen and phosphorus which can increase aquatic plant productivity. It was not a problem at this time. We will want to continue to watch the rest of the summer.

Lake 3:
Lake Superior was milky slightly greenish brown looking. Some potentially excessive planktonic blue green algae were developing along the windblown end of the lake that can appear unsightly. Heavy rains after my visit likely help flush much of the algae out of the basin thanks to the ongoing clearing efforts keeping the overflow top clear. Planktonic algae are not grazed by grass carp like vascular plants and filamentous algae. Keeping nutrients low and flushing rain events are the best method to control excessive planktonic algae.

Unfortunately, in August both nitrogen and phosphorous levels were very high creating ideal conditions for planktonic algae development. There are 1000’s of algae species and Microcystic Aeruginosa is common when conditions are right in the summer.

July 2022 Lake Assessment 

Lake 1: Small Lake
At the time of my visit the lake was milky, slightly black looking. The lake looked OK. Although some duckweed is developing, so far this year, no unwanted or excessive plant or algae development has been observed. Sterile Grass Carp, that we use for aquatic plant control in all 3 of the lakes, do not eat or control duckweed. Nutrient levels were elevated.
 

Lake 2: Large Middle Lake
At the time of my visit the lake was milky brownish appearing again this month. OK. Nutrient levels were low (ok) for nitrogen but elevated for phosphorous. We will want to watch phosphorous levels the rest of the summer. Nutrient phosphorous is considered the limiting nutrient that when excessive can drive unwanted plant and algae blooms.
 

Lake 3: Lake Superior
Lake Superior was milky greenish looking – OK. Some Duckweed development was also observed in this lake. Nutrient phosphorous levels were high. Nitrogen low – good. We were watching the filamentous algae development from June that is not a problem in July.
 

Duckweed is a plant that although not a problem now, can be a problem for nutrient rich lakes and ponds. Duckweed and Watermeal are free floating aquatic plants often found in Missouri. They are fast growing and reproduce rapidly. Missouri has 7 species of duckweed and 2 species of Watermeal. 

Duckweed is a free floating aquatic plant usually less than ¼ inch in size that consist of a plant body called a frond, and  some may have hair like roots extending into the water. Watermeal, the smallest flowering plant, is no larger than a pinhead. Duckweed can be found across the US and easily develops in older shallow ponds rich in nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen. Duckweed and Watermeal proliferate rapidly as the water warms in late spring. Duckweed usually reproduces by budding and some species can reproduce themselves every 3 days and cover a 1-acre pond in less than 2 months. In the fall duckweeds form winter buds that sink to the bottom and reemerge in the spring when the water warms again.  In normal lakes and ponds small amounts of duckweed may not be a problem, but in nutrient rich ponds they may block sunlight to other plants and change a ponds ecosystem.

June 2022 Lake Assessment 

Lake 1: Small Lake
At the time of my visit the lake was milky, slightly brownish black. The lake looked OK, no unwanted or excessive plant or algae development was observed.
 
Nutrient phosphorous levels are high which can support excessive plant development. We are using sterile grass carp as a more natural and less costly approach to help control excessive that plant and algae development. The lake looked good.
 
Lake 2: Large Middle Lake
At the time of my visit the lake was milky brownish appearing but natural looking. OK.
Nutrient levels were very low. And that combined with some sterile grass carp help control unwanted plants.
 
Lake 3: 
Lake Superior was milky slightly greenish brown looking. OK. There are a number

of attractive aquatic plants including iris, and pickerel weed that were planted and make that area of the pond look very attractive. The overflow grate that was cleared.
Nutrient phosphorous levels were high and some filamentous algae is developing along the shoreline. Although not excessive mid-June this will need to be monitored. Some filamentous algae development along the shoreline is an indication that more sterile grass carp may need to be stocked in 2023. 

May 2022 Lake Assessment

Lake 1: Small Lake
At the time of my visit the lake was slightly muddy, milky brown looking after recent rains.  It has been a very rainy spring. As I noted last month the milky brownish condition is likely the result of runoff from recent spring rains that wash suspended solids into the lake.  There solids should settle out,and unfortunately add to sediment buildup in a pond or lake.  Managing a lakes watershed to reduce particulate runoff is important to help slow down this natural eutrophication process.  
Nutrient phosphorous levels were high and nitrogen levels were elevated. Unwanted aquatic plant growth can begin developing now as the water warms and if nutrient levels are high.  The lake is stocked with some sterile grass carp that are intended to help control unwanted plants.
 
Lake 2:Large Middle Lake
At the time of my visit the lake was milky brown again this month – OK. Recent rain runoff likely adding some suspended solids that should settle out.
Water quality nutrient phosphorous levels which were excessive last month have reduced in May.    Nitrogen levels remain low.
Grass carp are also stocked in this lake to help control unwanted aquatic plants.
 
Lake 3:
At the time of my visit Lake Superior was milky slightly brown black looking like in April.  OK.  Milky brown appearance likely from suspended solids in the water column that were washed in after recent spring rain events.The slight black water color may be an indication of low dissolved oxygen,typically not a problem when the water is colder, but as the water warms it will not be able to contain as much dissolved oxygen.
The overflow grate was blocked again after recent heavy rains.  
Water quality nutrient levels were elevated. 
No unwanted aquatic plants development at this time. 

April 2022 Lake Assessment

Lake 1: Small Lake

At the time of my visit the lake was milky brownish.  OK.   The milky brownish condition is likely the result of runoff from recent spring rains that wash suspended solids into the lake.  There solids should settle out,and unfortunately add to sediment buildup in a pond or lake.  Managing a lakes watershed to reduce particulate runoff is important to help slow down this natural eutrophication process.  

Although geese manure was not excessive geese appear to be nesting at the lake.  Geese can live for 20 years and they and their progeny often return to the same lakes year after year.   

Nutrient phosphorous levels were elevated and nitrogen was low (good) Unwanted aquatic plant growth is not a problem now.

Lake 2:Large Middle Lake

At the time of my visit the lake was milky brown – OK. Recent rain runoff likely adding some suspended solids that should settle out.

Geese appear to be nesting at this lake also.

Water quality nutrient phosphorous levels were excessive at 0.48 mg/L.  Levels below 0.05 mg/L are recommended to help reduce unwanted aquatic plant growth. Aquatic plants were not a problem 4/19.

Lake 3:

At the time of my visit Lake Superior was milky brown black looking.  OK.  Milky brown appearance likely from suspended solids in the water column that were washed in after recent spring rain events. The slight black water color may be an indication of low dissolved oxygen, typically not a problem when the water is colder.

The overflow grate was cleared from being partially blocked last month.  

Water quality nutrient phosphorous levels were low – good.

March 2022 Lake Assessment

Lake 1: Small Lake
At the time of my visit the lake was milky and slightly green appearing. The green color is common this time of year as the water warms and planktonic algae levels increase. Although geese manure was present and there were a few geese there, excessive geese manure was not an issue. Lake appearance looked good.
Water quality pH was slightly elevated at 8.0. Not an issue this time of year.  Although nutrient nitrogen was low (good) phosphorous was elevated and could promote unwanted aquatic plant growth as the water warms. Not a problem now.
 

Lake 2: Large Middle Lake
At the time of my visit the lake was slightly milky clear, beginning to turn greenish as the water warms and planktonic algae development increases. Lake looks OK. There were a lot of geese at the lake and geese manure along the dam top were excessive. 
The top of the grated outlet structure was covered and at least partially blocked with leaves. This outlet is considered the primary outlet, and controls the normal lake level. The emergency outlet, the large concreted area to the left of the primary outlet, should be able to handle any overflow and prevent water overtopping the dam. The outlet top should be cleared.  
Water quality nutrient levels were low (good) and all other parameters measured were normal.   

Lake 3:
At the time of my visit Lake Superior was milky slightly greenish appearing. Looked OK.  Some geese were present but geese manure was not excessive. The primary overflow grate was also covered with leaves and at least partially blocked. There is an additional outlet pipe to the left of the primary overflow grate that was open and would allow some water to escape. The emergency overflow for this lake is further to the left of the second overflow pipe as a wide area of the dam slightly lower than the main dam area designed to direct water flow to a stormwater concrete structure below the dam.
Water quality nutrient phosphorous levels were low, but nitrogen levels were high.  Not a problem at this time.

February 2022 Lake Assessment

Lake 1: Small Lake
At the time of my visit the lake was nearly 100% ice covered and because of snow melt on the ice it was not clear. Thusly limiting light penetration below the ice. The water under the ice was milky. As we discussed over the phone this may reduce the lake’s ability to produce oxygen, and depending on the current fish density and overall lakes carrying capacity to support aquatic life the risk of fish mortality is increased. Note this lake did experience a fish kill in the past, and is populated with gizzard shad that reproduce and grow very quickly. The gizzard shad were likely accidently introduced by fisherman and are not recommended for smaller water bodies.
Only a few confused geese were present as the lake was frozen. Nutrient levels were low – very good.   
 
 
Lake 2:  Large Middle Lake
At the time of my visit the lake was 90% ice covered and numerous geese were being attracted to the open water. Because of the greater depth and water volume in this larger lake water temperature changes are not as fast. But this did invite local and migrating geese who were attracted to these open bodies of water when neighboring water bodies are all frozen.  
The water under the ice was very clear.
Nutrient levels were excessive. High nutrient readings have randomly occurred with no apparent pattern during the winter months in the past and the cause is not clearly understood. Nutrients are tracked as “internal loading” nutrients, those being released by the lake itself usually from its sediments or during lake destratification.
“External nutrient loading” is from runoff or drain pipes, and may increase after fertilizer applications. These winter high nutrients may be from normal winter destratification when lower-level nutrient rich water mix with upper levels. Or from the very high number of visiting geese. Nitrogen was measured at .44 Mg/Land Phosphorous at .18 Mg/L. Levels above.05 Mg/L can support unwanted additional aquatic plant growth. Summer levels are typically much lower.
 
Lake 3:
At the time of my visit Lake Superior was 100% ice covered with little light penetration through the ice reducing the lakes ability to produce oxygen. Fortunately in our area lakes do not remain frozen all season, generally overall increasing our local lakes carrying capacity compared to some more ice prone northern lakes.
Nutrient levels were low. Very good.
No geese were present.

Lake Water Quality Reports - January 2022

Lake Appearance and Function Reports - January 2022

January 2022 Lake Assessment

Lake 1: Small Lake
The lake was about 80% ice covered and the open water was milky brownish looking. Looks OK.
Geese were present and manure was visible but it did not appear excessive in the major access areas.
Nutrient levels Phosphorous elevated nitrogen low. No other observations of significance to report.
 
Lake 2:Large Middle Lake
The lake was about 60% ice covered and the open water was milky slightly brownish looking.Looks OK.
Although not considered excessive geese and geese manure were present.  
Nutrient levels low very good.  No other significant observations to report this period.
 
Lake 3:
Lake near 100% ice covered water milky slightly brownish looking. OK.   Geese and geese manure present but not considered excessive.  Nutrient levels low very good.
No other significant observations to report this period.

December 2021 Lake Assessment
 

Lake 1: Small Lake
The water was milky green looking. Looks OK.
Excessive geese manure and geese were present.
Nutrient levels low.  Very good.
 
Lake 2: Large Middle Lake
Water milky brownish looking. Looks OK.
Excessive geese manure and geese present.  
Nutrient Phosphorous low OK.   Nitrogen very high good.
 
Lake 3:
Milky greenish looking. OK.   Nutrient nitrogen very high. Phosphorous low OK.
 

August 2021 

June 2021 Lake Assessment

Lake 1: Small Lake
The water was milky and brown slightly black looking. Looks OK. Nutrient levels high for both phosphorous and nitrogen.

Lake 2:Large Middle Lake
Water looked milky slightly greenish brown. Looked OK. Nutrient levels low again that’s very good.

Lake 3:
Milky greenish looking. OK.  Filamentous algae are developing and may become excessive. It appears the grass carp are no longer able to keep up and more may need to be added.  Nutrient levels high.

April 2021 Lake Assessment

Lake 1: Small Lake
The water was slightly muddy brown looking. Looks OK. Nutrient levels very high for both phosphorous and nitrogen. All other water quality perimeters normal.

Lake 2: Large Middle Lake
Water looked slightly milky clear.  Slight brownish green color. OK. Nutrient levels low – good. All other perimeters normal and will be included in the yearly report. 

Lake 3:
Milky brown looking. OK. Some filamentous algae developing but OK.
Nutrient levels good.  Secchi Depth (water clarity) poor at 14” but not that atypical for this lake.

March 2021 Lake Assessment

Lake 1: Small Lake
The water was milky black looking. Looks OK. Nutrient levels elevated  for both phosphorous and nitrogen.

Lake 2: Large Middle Lake
Water looked slightly milky clear.  Slightly brownish. OK. Phosphorous high and nitrogen OK.  

Lake 3:
Milky slightly brown / black looking. OK.    
Nutrient phosphorus OK nitrogen elevated.

January 2021 Lake Assessment