A GREAT YEAR FOR WATER QUALITY

 I think you all will agree this year was phenomenally good for our water quality.

No algae blooms or musty smelling water.

No filamentous algae growth at the east or west ends.

Great clarity—it ranged from 24-26 feet.

No E-coli levels to be concerned about—the highest was an 8 (200 closes beaches).

Dissolved oxygen levels were slightly higher--better for fish and a sign of healthier water.

 While other lakes in the area are still fighting algae blooms we saw none. Perhaps this is due to the reduced counts of total phosphorous and nitrate compounds in 2009. These are the limiting factor elements in algae and aquatic plant growth. Phosphorous measured 11.0 Ug-P/L in April, 2008 and 6.9 in 2009. Nitrate/nitrite measured 268 Ug-N/L and 171 in 2009. These are 36% reductions, and may be due to using “water friendly” lawn fertilizers with reduced phosphate levels, phosphorous-free dish and dishwasher soaps and detergents, or perhaps the lake freeze and snow/rain levels last winter. Most manufacturers are creating more environmentally friendly products. Hopefully, you chose to use these products since we have no control over the weather factors.

 (Western Washington University Huxley College’s measurements for phosphates and nitrates are used since their analyses are more precise than ours. Our tests are used for other parameters monitored)

 Logging on Frailey Mountain seems to be our biggest concern. I am still waiting for a response from Department of Ecology in Olympia as to whether their department will demand an environmental study (SEPA, EIS, JARPA, etc.) from a private logging firm prior to their conducting logging on their own properties on the north side of Frailey Mountain. Ecology sponsored WAC 173-201 which was designed to protect all state waters against degradation. Application of this WAC and its interpretation are the concerning issues.

 Likewise, I’m in touch with DNR asking the same questions. These inquiries relate to logging on Frailey by Longview Timber who now owns acreage there. DNR discussions with us at a meeting held in September reiterated there would be no logging on DNR Frailey holdings but we are concerned that Longview’s logging there will cause unchecked runoff and resultant siltation of the lake. DNR is in charge of implementing and policing logging practices. Again, application and interpretation of the State’s logging practices are key for us to understand.

 We know of no immediate plans to log anywhere visible to, or affecting us on Frailey. Over the winter we should obtain answers to our questions to be ready to work with State agencies and timber owners to ensure that all legally required measures are taken by the timber owners to protect our water quality.

 Thanks should go to Jim Roberts, Tim and Erin Gilmore, Dave and Deborah Searing, and Cathy Katte for their help in doing our testing.

 Dennis Katte, Water Quality Chairman

Is there a safe fertilizer that won't harm the lake?

The Bellingham Cenex store and WSU have developed a phosphate-free lawn fertilizer that is safe to use in watershed areas. (Bellingham gets their water from Lake Whatcom.) What a great idea! What is acceptable for use at Lake Whatcom should be acceptable for use at Lake Cavanaugh.

A 50 pound bag of Whatcom Waters is $13.65. Total nitrogen 16%, soluble potash 8%, sulfur 8%, phosphate 0%. If you fertilize you might want to give this product a try. (Other national brands contain as much as 18% to 20% phosphorus and 28% to 30% nitrogen.) The local Cenex store in Mount Vernon carries Whatcom Waters Fertilizer.