PHASE 2 - IMPROVE LAKE EUGENIA WATER QUALITY

We wish to thank the donors who contributed to the Friends of Lake Eugenia in 2022. Our 2022 efforts met all the stated objectives of the funded study and quantified the phosphorous overload that is responsible for the potentially toxic blue-green algae blooms reported to the MOE in July 2022.

For 2023, we have authorized Hutchinson Environmental to proceed with a time-phased study that will identify the changes in the biochemistry of Lake Eugenia in 3 separate locations, each with varying depths, sampled monthly from May to October 2023. The first sample was taken the week of May 15th.

The objective of the 2023 study is to suggest potential remediation strategies that will limit the blue-green algae blooms. Information gained from this study will allow Lake Eugenia stakeholders to approach private, corporate, and governmental organizations with a scientific analysis, in support of proposed remediation activities, to request funding.

We have a daunting financial challenge to continue the 2023 study. The monthly samples cost approximately $5,000 to procure and analyze. We were able to take the May sample due to a generous donation from the Lake Eugena Property Owner’s Association. If we are unable to fund future monthly sampling fees, all 2023 data collected will be irrelevant and the same study will need to be undertaken in another year.

Lake Eugenia is past the point of correcting itself. The phosphorous load in the lakebed is increasing and will result in earlier and larger blooms. It is up to us to confront this problem, to improve our recreational enjoyment of the Lake, provide quality fish and wildlife habitat and maintain the investments we have all made in our lake cottages.

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