Danbury

Danbury Lake Condition Report 2007

Missouri Conservation Biologist Meeting Summary

Monday July 30, 2007

Greetings All Danbury Residents,

This morning, Missouri Conservation Department Biologist Sarah Oakes (sarah.oakes@mdc.mo.gov) made an on-site visit to our subdivision lake.
Following is a summary of the meeting.

· Lake Oxygen is low – 4.5mg / liter – This reading was taken at approx. 10AM – Evening and overnight readings would be expected to be lower
o What does this mean? – We run the risk of a ‘fish kill’ due to low oxygen levels.
o Why? – Overpopulation of Planktonic Algae and Storm Water runoff filled with fertilizer
o Potential Resolutions
1. Short term – Copper Sulfate
2. Long term – Empty Lake, Dredge and refill ( Mo Conservation Department will restock with fish given that we meet predefined conditions ) – stay tuned

· We have reached the theoretical life span of a Missouri subdivision retention Pond – Our lake was drained, dredged and the shoreline reshaped in 1990.
o What does this mean? – In Missouri, a pond requires draining, dredging and stocking every 10 to 20 years. This is situational dependant.
o Potential Resolutions
1. Short term – Address Oxygen issue as discussed above
2. Long term A – Empty Lake, Dredge and refill ( Mo Conservation Department will restock with fish given that we meet predefined conditions ) – for further information please see Missouri Pond Handbook - http://www.mdc.mo.gov/documents/fish/pondhb.pdf
3. Long term B – Create a ‘Natural Pond’. This option involves aquatic plants that float on top of the lake and help manage oxygen levels naturally
4. Bacterial Products – Are not recommended

· Water Fowl are bad! – Reduce/eliminate Geese AND Ducks – Fecal matter from waterfowl ‘foul’ the water.
o What does this mean? – Please do not feed the ducks.
o Potential Resolutions
1. Short term – Reduce/eliminate feeding. Instruct grass service to allow grass near lake to grow taller than the surrounding grass – Geese and Ducks do not like taller grass on the shoreline.
2. Long term – Expand the egg oiling efforts to include duck eggs as well as goose eggs



· Water Aeration will not solve water color issue – Lake bed aeration and or a fountain increase oxygen in the lake but do not resolve water color issues.
o What does this mean? – It is unrealistic to expect a crystal clear or blue water pond in Missouri without chemical dyes. Aeration will produce a healthier environment for fish.
o Potential Resolutions
1. Short term – Not sure yet
2. Long term – TBD


I have requested additional information from Sarah;
1. Lake renovation contractors
2. Educational materials
3. List of aquatic plants

· ACTION ITEMS
1. I will contact lake renovation contractors to determine recommended courses of action.
2. I will communicate contractor meetings and encourage all interested residents to attend for input.


Thank you for your time and consideration.

Paul Merkel
537 Stoddard’s Mill Dr
636-230-7866
PAULMERKEL@YAHOO.COM