NLIA Meeting Updates & News

Submitted by Aqua Link to and approved by the North Lake Improvement Association Board of Directors

Program Proposal Contents:

1. Proposal 9103: Lake Water Quality Monitoring Program w/ Report

Aqua Link would monitor on three (3) study dates during the summer growing

season (mid-May through mid-September) when most lake problems occur

and lake usage is at its highest.

Aqua Link has developed two tasks for the 2025 North Lake water quality

monitoring program. The first task addresses the 2025 water quality

monitoring program and the second task relates to adding data for water

quality trend analysis.

2. Proposal 9199 – Algae Management & Bio-Augmentation Proposal (5X

combo treatments using MicroLife Clear Max & copper sulfate)

This proposal focuses on improving aesthetics, appearance, water quality,

recreational value, and ecological health by controlling nuisance levels of

aquatic vegetation in a safe and responsible manner

Aqua Link will apply our proprietary blend of bacteria additives to improve the

water quality and clarity of the lake. Bacteria additives remove excessive

nutrients (phosphorus, ammonia, nitrate & nitrite), reduce noxious odors, and

breakdown accumulated sediments. In addition, per discretion of the

applicator, copper sulfate will be used to control algae, when necessary.

Target Algae/Plant Species – P & F (Concentrated bacteria additives for all

treatments; copper sulfate when needed) – Up to 5 Treatments

3. Quote 4932 – Hydro Logic AirLift Aeration System Retrofit (install 13

new AirPod XL air diffusers)

Custom Hydro Logic AirLift Lake Aeration System Retrofit Project*

Hydro Logic Products AirPod XL Air Diffuser - includes two 24 inch EPDM

rubber membrane diffusers and base

Installation - Replacement of 13 Clean Flo air diffusers with Hydro Logic

AirPod XL air diffusers. This cost includes the removal and disposal of the

removed air diffusers

Proposal Submitted by Edward Molesky, CLM, President of Aqua Link & Hydro Logic

Products, Senior Water Resources Manager & Aquatic Biologist, NALMS Certified Lake

Manager

The following summary was provided by Ed Molesky with the submission of the

Program Proposal:

All three items are equally important to get North Lake in a better place. The

combo/hybrid algae control program uses selected strains of Bacillus bacteria which

compete against blue-green algae. This allows copper sulfate, as an algaecide, to

effectively control more vulnerable forms of phytoplankton. Our combo/hybrid programs

help reduce blue-green algae from becoming resistant to copper-based algaecides. The

existing air diffusers are using outdated technology and therefore, need to be replaced

with Hydro Logic AirPod XL air diffusers. These new diffusers will boost the efficiency

and performance of your existing air compressor while not disturbing any in-lake

sediments. Of course, lastly, lake water quality monitoring is always recommended to

track water quality. New lake data will be compared to last year’s data to judge lake

management success and whether the 2025 lake management program would need to

be adjusted in 2026.

Good news and progress to report:

1. NLIA has obtained the permit for treatment from Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) which was approved on January 28, 2025. 

2. Also received in January was Aqua Link's Water Monitoring Quality Report. The comprehensive report is based on Aqua Link's 2024 testing protocol. Please scroll down to the Aqua Link Lake Monitoring & Testing Report section to view the report. Aqua Link is developing a pricing proposal based on the recommendations made in the report.

NLIA representatives will be the attending the annual Pennsylvania Lake Management Society (PALMS) conference at the beginning of March. PALMS is a non-profit organization created to promote understanding and comprehensive management of lakes and reservoirs and their watersheds. PALMS was formed in 1989 as a Chapter of the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) by a group of individuals concerned for the future of lakes in Pennsylvania. Its members are people just like us - people concerned about today's lake issues. It is a statewide organization made up of lakeside residents, lake associations, scientists, recreationalists, educators, and local and state agency professionals.

Lastly, it is with a heavy heart that I inform of the loss of two staples of our lake community.  Bill Roberts passed away surrounded by his family in January and Jimmy Roberts passed in February, also surrounded his family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to both families. We hope they find peace and comfort. 

Aqua Link provided a Lake Progress Report on August 30, 2024. Scroll down to the Lake Monitor section to review the report.

The board discussed and approved a second round of treatment from Aqua Link.

AquaLink applied the treatment on August 8th. 

Many thanks to those who donated. The entire $2500 needed to cover the second round of treatment was raised. Your generosity is greatly appreciate by all.

Thanks to all that  attended the General Membership Meeting. We appreciate your participation and input. Scroll down to see Meeting minutes.  Look forward to seing everyone at the end of summer meeting and Picnic!

Last evening, Sunday, July 21st, the NLIA Board met via zoom to discuss the current condition of the lake. The Board unanimously voted to have Aqualink treat the lake ASAP with concentrated bacteria additives.  You may remember, this treatment type was discussed at our last general membership meeting. The bacteria additives work to remove excessive nutrients, thus starving harmful algae, and also reduce noxious odors. 

An NLIA board member has discussed this bioaugmentation treatment with a resident from Lake Aleeda located here in NEPA. This person is a retired DEP worker and admits to having been skeptical at first with regards to this treatment, and did not believe it would work. The resident was very happily surprised with the results. The Lake Aleeda contact person told our NLIA board member, "We have had many algae blooms over the years. We did water quality testing for a few years, but finally focused primarily on addressing the algae problem (with bioaugmentation from Aqua Link)."

Aqualink will treat North Lake with bacteria additives this coming week. We will make every effort to send a follow up email once we know exactly when the team will come out.  Please remember,  swimming in any natural body of water could pose health issues to humans and pets, no matter how good it looks!

The biological treatment will cost $2500. And while NLIA has the funds available to pay for this treatment, your donations are always welcomed and greatly appreciated!

Thanks to all that attending the meeting on June 29th. Your participation is appreciated. Please scroll down to the NLIA Membership and Board Meeting Summaries Section to review the June 29th meeting minutes. 

Additionally, the following HAB-related treatment proposal by Aqua Link was presented and discussed at the meeting. As addressed in the meeting minutes, Ken Price has requested and is awaiting references regarding this treatment.

Aqua Link proposed a bio-augmentation treatment program which could address HABs without conflicting with CleanFlo's, grant-funded bio-dredging activities. Aqua Link's bio-augmentation treatment adds concentrated bacteria which remove excess nutrients - including phosphorus, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite; it also reduces noxious odors and helps break down accumulated sediments.  Removing the excess nutrients helps avert HABs.  Their recommended 3-application program would cost $6995.  This cost is a few hundred more than their $6650 fee for a similar, 3-treatment program of copper sulfate treatments, but it would be more environment-friendly and would not conflict with the grant-funded activities.

Implementing Programmatic Water Management at North Lake

Recommendation: The NLIA Board recommends implementation of a systematic lake monitoring program, to be conducted on an ongoing basis, beginning Summer 2024. It is further recommended to engage Aqua Link, Inc. to conduct this program in accordance with their proposal dated February 1, 2024, including 3 testing events, with subsequent analysis and reporting, at a total cost of $5,200 during CY2024. More information on Aqua Link can be found at https://aqualinkinc.com/lake-monitoring-1

Background: Amid concerns about lake water quality during Summer 2023 – especially harmful algal blooms (HABs) which may serve to limit lake activities, NLIA Membership charged the Board with securing a lake management consultant who would help us develop a strong, shared understanding of issues affecting our lake water quality and direct appropriate measures to promote healthy lake water quality.

With this objective in mind, requests for proposal were solicited from numerous industry service providers, and seven proposals were received. These proposals highlighted the rather extraordinary cost of bona fide, independent lake management consultants (e.g., a baseline cost of $23,575 per year for the lowest cost provider). Engaging these services would demand an extraordinary and sustained increase in operating funds. This may merit further consideration, but a more immediate, actionable approach seems best.

Most RFP respondents promoted use of their company-specific products and services – akin to our current relationship with Clean-Flo.  Aqua Link, Inc. also offers a robust array of company-specific products and services. However, unique among RFP respondents, Aqua Link, Inc., expressly proposed systematic monitoring as a foundation for any lake management program. Notably, this approach is consistent with proposals received from bona fide, independent lake management consultants as well as Board member learnings at recent lake management workshops. 

Aqua Link, Inc., enjoys a very positive reputation among lake associations, with strong connections to the Pennsylvania Lake Management Society (PALMS). Their proposed lake monitoring program constitutes a constructive step in the desired direction. Further, establishing a relationship with Aqua Link, Inc., may prove to satisfy our need for lake management consulting. 

Aqua Link, Inc. has proposed other, specific means of improving lake conditions, including reducing HABs. Yet, for 2024, any lake management activities implemented through the end of Summer 2024 must not conflict with the grant-supported program now in progress. This precludes any supplemental addresses to any HABs which may occur during Summer 2024. Notwithstanding this restriction, we would seek to engage Aqua Link, Inc., as soon as possible during Summer 2024 to help us better understand HABs and – armed with results from our lake monitoring program – to develop a shared sense of how best to address HABs at North Lake going forward.

Prepared by the Water Management Committee

Hello everyone,

Attached below is the latest Clean-Flo scan that was performed fall of 2023. Clean-Flo calls it moderate results but it’s only been 5 months into the massive restoration treatment. The scan shows 3 inches of sediment reduction, receding from the shallower areas as that’s where it will diminish first. It also shows two million more gallons of water in the lake. The system is doing what it’s intended to do, reduce the nutrient rich bottom sediment, biologically dredging the lake. 

At the last 2023 meeting we voted to seek a lake management company. We have multiple  proposals and started the review and vetting process to find a company to coincide with the restoration project that’s ongoing. There is no easy solution or answers to the issues of our lake or they would have been done long ago. At our first board meeting of 2024, highlighted was that North Lake has tried just about everything from chemicals to grass carp to aeration and biologics and most recently ultrasound. We plan on meeting monthly through the winter working on multiple issues. 

We will keep members informed with monthly updates on our progress.  

Ken Price 

NLIA President

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