CLEAN LAKE, FULL LAKE, SAFE LAKE. You know our mantra and LLA wants y'all to know what our plan is to support the all-important first element. Over the years, LLA has successfully implemented programs like Adopt-A-Lake, Shore Sweep, ADDV and Erosion and Sedimentation to all work together to ensure nosotros have a Clean Lake. While these efforts have fabricated an impact, there is much more to be done to ensure the ongoing and future health of Lake Lanier. Trash, nutrients, sedimentation, harsh chemicals and Due east. coli all deteriorate Lanier's water quality. Below we have detailed the bug with three of these pollutants. As LLA members, we ask that you lot take a look at these concerns and bring together us in our Clean Lake Campaign efforts to go along Lake Lanier make clean for generations to come.

EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION
Sediment entering the lake clogs wildlife habitat and carries with it phosphorous and nitrogen into the lake. One time the sediment reaches Lanier, the nutrients attached to the soil are released into the water. This contributes to the nutrient loading of the lake detailed below, exacerbating algae levels.

E. COLI
Some other grade of pollution that has potentially serious health furnishings is Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacteria that normally lives in the intestines of warm blooded animals. While E. coli is unremarkably harmless or causes only relatively brief sickness, a few strains can cause severe symptoms and require medical attention especially for children or the elderly. E-coli does not typically thrive in a lake environs, though it is suggested to avoid contact with the water 24-48 hours afterwards a heavy pelting. E-coli can be found along shorelines where an abundance of wildlife, such every bit geese are located on the shoreline or upstream. We can all help control the presence of Eastward. coli in the lake. While geese, cattle, and chicken houses contribute. Pet waste, septic tanks, sewer spills, and improperly operated marine toilets are also sources. People tin can assist past cleaning up after their pets and by properly maintaining and operating septic systems and marine toilets.

Algae in Lake Lanier

ALGAE & PHOSPHOROUS
The most concerning factors negatively affecting Lake Lanier'due south h2o quality is an increasing level of phosphorus in the h2o, which in turn is causing an increase in algae growth. Algae are photosynthetic aquatic organisms that range from microscopic,
single-celled organisms to large seaweeds. An "algae bloom" is a rapid increment in the population of algae and is primarily acquired by an excessive volume of nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen. An affluence of algae tin also cause harmless yet disagreeable taste and olfactory property issues in our drinking water. The bulk of algae in Lake Lanier is not filamentous nontoxic algae species. This means even at higher levels it does not create a mat on the water merely tin can be seen as a greenish tint in the h2o.

Chlorophyll a Testing

We monitor algae levels by measuring levels of Chlorophyll a, a pigment contained in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Chlorophyll a is ofttimes used as a surrogate for algae growth considering it provides a ready means of monitoring algae levels. Chlorophyll a levels vary with water volume and temperature, and are usually higher when temperatures and rainfall are high. Lake Lanier's Chlorophyll a readings have been rising, particularly since 2017. The testing results are detailed in the following graph. The northern sections of the lake, Bolling Bridge and Lanier Bridge take the highest immune concentrations, 10ppm with the allowable limits decreasing to 5ppm at Buford Dam. This subtract relates to the book of water to nutrient concentrations in each location.

In Lake Lanier, phosphorus has been identified as the primary crusade of the increase in algae. High phosphorus content in Lanier is largely due to nonpoint source runoff from urban areas (e.g., streets, parking lots, and lawns that accept been fertilized) and agronomical lands (e.m., cattle, fields and chicken houses). Point sources such equally wastewater handling facilities likewise contribute. The country produced a document that details the sources of phosphorus from around the lake and sets the maximum levels of phosphorous that should enter Lake Lanier to nonetheless maintain the lake'south water quality. This certificate is a adept guideline for where to approach the upshot of rising phosphorous levels, though it does non create a straight road map to a solution.

Annual Average Chlorophyll a

Blue Green Algae in Lake LanierBlue-Dark-green Algae Blooms appeared in Lanier for the first time in 2020.
One of the more dangerous forms of algae is diverse species of Cyanobacteria, the so-called blue-dark-green algae. Blue-Green
algae blooms can produce toxins. In 2020 there were ix small blue-green algae blooms visually confirmed on Lake Lanier. One bloom was tested and verified to be Cyanobacteria which was producing a low level of the toxin microcystin. The significance of this lies in the fact that this was the first time that these types of blooms were documented in Lanier. Sure species of algae tin can produce toxins that tin sicken or kill dogs, fish, mammals, and birds, and in extreme cases may cause human illness. These blooms were all located in isolated areas and are very visually distinct. They are bright green in nature and appear almost like spilled pigment in the h2o. The fact that they are so distinct allows them to be easily avoided. Please report to us if you meet any suspected blue-green blooms.

The water quality of Lake Lanier is a growing concern, simply the lake is however safe to use for swimming, boating and as a source of properly sanitized drinking water. LLA has been studying the situation and strategizing on how it tin can non only help maintain a Make clean LAKE but help restore Lake Lanier to lower levels of Chlorophyll a, phosphorus, E. coli, and other deleterious substances. Our strategies will be evolving as we assemble more cognition and expertise, just our goal is to protect Lake Lanier and all its users.

OUR Action PLAN

Collaboration – LLA has long worked with local and state governments such as EPD and local County and City h2o management agencies on all three elements of our mantra. Just we will be expanding our piece of work with not just government officials but other nonprofits and public and private organizations that tin help us in our quest to go on the lake clean. We will too exist encouraging local governments to adopt best practices, like Hall County'southward newly-revised storm water ordinance requiring double-row silt fences and hay bales on all developments bordering the lake.

Educational activity – LLA members must exist actors, besides – information technology volition take all of us working together to detect and exist the solution. At that place are practical steps you can take to meliorate h2o quality; including proper maintenance of marine toilets, careful consideration of lawn treatments and cleaners used on boats or docks. We will support these actions by raising awareness in the lake community about all Clean Lake issues through webinars, our new website, our newsletter, and civic organization meetings.
Member Action – One of LLA'south longtime programs has been the Clean Lake Pledge, previously the homeowners pledge, will detail meaningful steps which homeowners throughout the Lake Lanier watershed tin can take to protect and preserve the quality of Lake Lanier's water. The newly revised Clean Lake Pledge will be available to have starting at our Annual Fellow member Celebration on April 17.

Study a Trouble – Using the new LLA website, lake lovers can written report a water quality trouble on the lake. Once issues are identified LLA collaborates with the corresponding agencies and organizations to address the business concern whenever possible. This is an on-going effort and ane we will farther develop through the Run across Something Say Something programme rolling out this Spring.

Our preferred course of activity is to exist a solution builder. We seek to work with LLA members, government regime and local leaders to observe, develop, and implement solutions that are durable, effective, and beneficial for the unabridged Lake Lanier community. The goal is to ensure that Lake Lanier's water is protected for generations to come, and LLA is committed to being office of the solution, whatever that requires. We encourage yous to share this information with your friends and neighbors around the lake. Nosotros promise you will support usa in this endeavour and stake your claim to preserving a Clean LAKE.