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During the last several summers many of our Lake Tippecanoe neighbors have noticed an apparent increase in the aquatic plants and algae in several areas around the lake. Aquatic weed treatment and control, and the associated costs, are a topic of discussion at each LTPO Board of Directors meeting. Now we are faced with the threat of another invasive aquatic plant species: Hydrilla Verticillata, as described in the September 2006 LTPO Newsletter. For the past several months the LTPO Aquatic Plant Management and Water Quality Committees, Lead by their Chairperson Ms. Holly LaSalle, have been investigating specific steps that might be taken to improve our lake water quality and make it less hospitable to undesirable weeds and algae. With the assistance of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and an Indianapolis based environmental consulting and engineering firm a plan to address our undesirable weed and algae problem has been developed. The LTPO has long known and supported the special area of ecological interest on the lake known as the Ball Wetlands. The lake water in this area was historically characterized by dense stands of emergent vegetation such as softstem bulrush and floating vegetation such as water lily. It is widely understood that such native aquatic plants make a great contribution to water quality by removing excess nutrients, filtering out suspended solids and also provide wildlife habitat. Concern among residents and lake association leaders regarding the decline of this vegetation and the subsequent replacement of it with mats of filamentous blue-green algae initiated a feasibility study and overall interest in comprehensive plant management strategies. One aquatic plant management strategy gaining interest statewide is the creation of temporary “Ecozones”. Locally, Ecozones have been successfully implemented on Lake Wawasee and Manitou Lake to address specific aquatic vegetation degradation problems. An Ecozone in the shallow water area west of the Ball Wetlands known as “The Flats”, would entail limiting negative recreational impacts via recreational use restrictions. Subsequently we would explore the restoration alternatives for the emergent and floating leaf plant community. The guiding ecological principles and practices employed with changes at “The Flats” are expected to mediate: • the decline in aquatic plant and animal habitat. • the observed decline in native aquatic plants that provide a more seasonally permanent storehouses for nutrients. • the overall decline in water quality demonstrated by the presence of blue-green algae blooms. LTPO sponsored and conducted two public meetings to build ecological understanding and explain Indiana’s Ecozone rule making process. Attendees at both meetings were introduced to a variety of concepts related to aquatic plant management and ecology. Historical aerial photos of the Lake Tippecanoe area were reviewed. They clearly showed the decline and damage to plant communities during the last 70 years. Significant discussion ensued and finally concluded with a written participant survey soliciting input about three potential Ecozone alternatives. The Ecozone alternative receiving the most affirmative votes was the creation of a 48 acre area of no motorized boating activity both west of the Ball Wetlands (The Flats) and including a 200 foot wide area from the edge of the plant area along the eastern shore of the Ball Wetlands of James Lake (Little Tippy). The LTPO Board of Directors received a report that summarized these two public meeting and then voted to petition the IDNR for the creation this Ecozone. After the submission of a petition to create a public lake Ecozone, IDNR will study the proposal, announce and hold public hearings and solicit your suggestions and comments. It expected that this process may take 9 – 24 months.. |
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You may get the map in two different forms JPG picture or a PDF file. |
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Here is the latest info on the Proposed Ecozone The report is in a PDF file. · Natural Resource Commission Report · Natural Resource Commission Website
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Lake and River Enhancement Program has funded many studies in Kosciusko. To find all the recent studies pleas follow the LARE Reports link. |
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Test Plot Pictures The following photos are of the installation of the structures and planting of the nine species in four treatment types (with two controls). Each of the structures is rather sturdy, but could be damaged with too much attention, wave action, use as floating cooler holders, etc. Volunteers will be monitoring the transparency within the lake, as well as checking the structural integrity and plant growth on a weekly basis. |
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Ecozone |
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Since 1944, Working for Lake Preservation, Fish & Wildlife, and Quality of Living Copyright 2008 Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners Send mail to hayes@kconline.com with questions or comments about this web site. |
