2025 water quality plan

Following all of the work completed in 2024, the TLWQC collectively reviewed the recommendations of EverBlue’s assessments and our own focus areas.  We compiled a list of possible actions, voted and determined that the following actions would provide the most value to the lakes, based on an assumption on available funding.  While there was a lot of focus in the EverBlue recommendations associated with muck reduction, the approaches presented will likely reduce organics and muck volume but would not materially reduce amount of nutrients (i.e., nitrogen and phosphorus) in the sediment/lake and therefore we did not want to push into a bigger investment.  Rather we are expanding our sampling efforts to better understand nutrients in the lake to further refine the long-term management plan.     

Invasive Vegetation Reduction 

  • Increase educational efforts on invasive species, how they can be introduced to the lakes, and steps that can be taken to mitigate this risk; 

  • Self-perform vegetation surveys to identify the extent of CLPW growth and other potential invasive species and map the extent; 

  • Organize 2-3 volunteer invasive vegetation removal events, focusing efforts on the southern and eastern portions of the Little Lake and other areas that are difficult for a mechanical harvester to access; 

  • Obtaining a permit and retaining a mechanical harvester for two days to remove CLPW. 

    Nutrient Reduction (Non-Stormwater) 

  • Distribute Penn State Extension septic questionnaire and increase educational efforts on the importance of proper septic system management 

  • Increase educational efforts on the negative impact of fertilizer application in the watershed 

  • Work together with the Forest, Tree and Plant Life Committee to spread awareness regarding the importance of maintaining and establishing riparian buffers as a natural way to filter nutrients 

  • Organize a septic pump-out and inspection program for October 

  • Organize a muck pellet availability and deployment program for interested lake members 

  • Obtaining a permit and retaining a mechanical harvester for two days to remove lily pads 

    Stormwater Control (Nutrient/Contaminant Reduction) 

  • Work together with the Forest Tree and Plant Life Committee to increase education around steps homeowners can implement to minimize the effect of stormwater runoff (i.e., rain garden installations, controls during construction, etc.); 

  • Investigate and support a possible design for increasing filtration upstream or downstream of the Wood’s culvert, working with EverBlue and existing stakeholders; 

  • Retain EverBlue to design and install a filtration mitigation approach for the outfall present east of Brantwood; this would require having the conservancy approve the approach; 

  • Work internally to evaluate the stormwater flow upgradient of the Preserve Beach and implement a mitigative filtration approach utilizing filter socks or similar material; and 

  • Partial funding of efforts being executed by Sagamore/Stewards of Twin Lakes related to the Twin Lakes Park Stormwater Basin. 

    Water Quality Monitoring 

  • Continue PLEON lake monitoring/sampling: 

  • Perform field measurements (temperature, DO, light) in May, June, July, August and September; and 

  • Perform and work with Pleon for analytical sampling in May, June, July, and August and September.