NALMS Notes

2006--Issue 3

In this Issue

President's Letter

NALMS 2006 Vote

Upcoming National & Regional NALMS Conferences

Proposed New Membership Category: NALMS Affiliate

Featured Lake Association – Indiana Lake Management Society

Lakes Appreciation Month Poster Contest

2007 NALMS Calendar – Hot Off the Press

Ask the Lakespert

The Issue of "Funneling"

Chapter News

Invasive Species

Open Invitation to Add to the Next NALMS Notes

Suggestions? Comments? E-mail them to Steve Lundt <slundt@mwrd.dst.co.us> or Philip Forsberg <forsberg@nalms.org>

Not a NALMS member? Want to become one? Click here to join!

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©2006. North American Lake Management Society
PO Box 5443
Madison, WI 53705
608.233.2836

President's Letter

A good Fall to one and all. Welcome this timely newsletter, featuring information about our upcoming conferences, NALMS elections, and a whole lot of good stuff. I see that we have a question from a member regarding dredging – and I say “Hang On!” The upcoming LakeLine is featuring dredging as its main focus.

We (the NALMS Executive Committee, staff, and the Indiana Host Committee) have been busy preparing for the upcoming 26th International Symposium in Indianapolis. As with all the previous Symposiums, Indianapolis features a plethora of informative talks, a collection of valuable workshops, and slew of informative vendors – and it is all waiting for YOU! If you haven’t made your travel plans, registered for the conference or made your hotel reservations, then go directly to http://www.nalms.org/symposia/indianapolis/home.htm and do so now. It is going to be great, “I guarantee it.”

The Development & Planning Committees have put together a proposed membership category to replace NALMS Chapters. The new category, described in detail later on in this newsletter, will be called NALMS Affiliate. We feel it works well with the upcoming changes to NALMS organizational structure while preserving the valued status of our Chapters. Please take some time to review the proposed change and come to the NALMS Membership Meeting on Wednesday, November 8 at the Indianapolis Symposium. Thanks to Harry Gibbons, Greg Searle, Steve Lundt and all the Development/Planning Committees who took on this extremely important topic.

A reminder: As NALMS members, we welcome your participation and involvement in the Society. You’ll have many unofficial opportunities as we mingle in Indianapolis and two important official opportunities. On Monday, November 6, in Indianapolis, the NALMS Board and Officers will hold their end-of-term Board of Directors Meeting. All members are welcome to sit in for some or the entire all-day event. On Wednesday, we have the afore-mentioned NALMS Annual Membership Meeting, where you get to exercise your voice as members in the proceedings. A number of events are planned to get you rubbing elbows with your colleagues. These include Delegate’s (Attendees) Continental Breakfasts Wednesday – Friday morning, Chapter Leader’s Breakfast Thursday morning and the CLMP/CLM “Certified” Breakfast Friday Morning. And, of course, there is the Annual Awards Banquet Thursday evening at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum plus a nice selection of tours for Saturday.

I know that, with regard to the Indianapolis Conference, I’ve just touched on a few of the highlights. If you haven’t been to one, you don’t know what you are missing. Just be forewarned: Attend just one and you will be hooked for life!

It has been a great year. Hope to see you soon.

Warm regards,
Michael

Michael R. Martin, CLM • president@nalms.org
President, North American Lake Management Society

NALMS 2006 Vote

Don’t forget to cast your 2006 vote via the NALMS website. Simply go to www.nalms.org and click on “NALMS Elections -- Members cast your vote!“ Elections are being held for the following positions: President-Elect, Secretary, Region 2 Director (New Jersey, New York, and Puerto Rico), Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas & all countries outside the US & Canada), Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington), Region 12 (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory). Electronic voting will close October 22nd. If you cannot vote electronically, call the NALMS office at 608-233-2836 for a paper ballot.

Upcoming National and Regional NALMS Conferences for 2006

Making Connections – People, Lakes, Watersheds
26th International Symposium of North American Lake Management Society
Indianapolis, Indiana
November 8-10

The Symposium dates are November 8-10, 2006 in Indianapolis, IN at the Crowne Plaza and Union Station Conference Center. A preliminary program, registration form, and all travel details are available at http://www.nalms.org/symposia/indianapolis/home.htm.

Indiana has a long and rich history in limnology and lakes. The last glaciers, some 10,000 years ago, covered the northern third of the state with natural lakes. There are virtually no natural lakes in the southern two-thirds of the state but there are plenty of impoundments. Indiana’s 1400 lakes over 5 acres in size include 8 Corps of Engineers projects (10,700-acre Monroe Reservoir is the largest in the state) and Lake Wawasee, at 2,600 acres, the largest natural lake in the state.

Native Hoosier and IU alum Chancey Juday was stimulated by northern Indiana lakes in his youth and later teamed with E.A. Birge in Wisconsin to pioneer the science of limnology. David Starr Jordan, Carl Eigenmann, Will Scott, Shelby Gerking and David Frey all made important contributions to the science while in Indiana. In 1895, Eigenmann founded the Indiana University Biological Station on Lake Wawasee, one of the first biological stations located on a freshwater lake.

It is in recognition of this rich history that the theme of the 2006 NALMS International Symposium is “Making Connections – People, Watersheds, Lakes.” This Symposium will emphasize connections between the past and the present; between natural lakes and reservoirs; between watersheds and lakes; and, of course, between people and lakes.

It is easy to connect to Indianapolis and Indiana, the ‘Crossroads of America.’ Four interstate highways converge on Indianapolis, and connection between the Indianapolis International Airport and the conference venue is only a 15-minute drive. The conference venue will facilitate plenty of people-to-people connections as well.

MAPMS 27th Annual Conference – March 3-5, 2007 in downtown Milwaukee, WI

The Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society will be having their 27th annual conference and invite anyone from NALMS and other lake associations to attend the conference. The conference will be held on March 3-5, 2007 at the Wyndham Hotel in Downtown Milwaukee, WI. For more information on the conference, or the Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society membership, please visit their website at www.mapms.org.

Proposed New Membership Category: NALMS Affiliate

New Relationship

NALMS is striving to have a more functional relationship with the groups now known as chapters. These groups are valued as extensions of NALMS, acting autonomously with a similar mission, but with a more regional focus. Unfortunately, these groups are not necessarily defined as chapters under organizational definition, and the structure imposed by NALMS has not aided the growth and function of these groups the way NALMS and its current Chapters would like. NALMS is therefore seeking to transform the current Chapter membership category into an Affiliate membership with the following features:

  1. Affiliates can be any local, state/province, or regional lake management group with a mission consistent with that of NALMS and a willingness to partner with NALMS on activities to promote that mission.
  2. No annual report and no membership-based dues structure
  3. Improved Communications
    • NALMS communications to each Affiliate
      • LakeLine
      • E-Newsletter
      • Access to Yahoo lakes group
      • Promotion of Affiliate events
      • Symposium involvement
    • NALMS communication to Individual members of each Affiliate
      • Access to E-newsletter
      • Periodic e-mail communications (These can be direct or through the affiliate as preferred)
    • Affiliate communication to NALMS
      • Affiliates Council (one point of contact from each Affiliate)
      • Designated NALMS contact
      • Affiliate Council updates to Board (access to Board at meetings)
    • Affiliate communication to other Affiliates
      • Yahoo Group
      • Newsletter Swap by e-mail
      • LakeLine - Affiliate Updates

Affiliate Membership: $250

To be an Affiliate, your group must have a mission statement that is consistent with that of NALMS, and can be any organization that is willing to affiliate/partner with NALMS in the promotion of lake and reservoir management (e.g., lake association, watershed association, state association, province association, or a regional lake/reservoir management group.)

Services/Benefits for the Affiliate

  • Members-only access on the NALMS website for designated Affiliate contact
  • Discount insurance rates as available for those eligible
  • 1 representative on the Affiliate Council
  • 1 copy of each LakeLine issue
  • 1 copy of each issue of the Journal of Lake and Reservoir Management
  • NALMS Homepage link to Affiliate web page
  • Promotion of Affiliate events on the NALMS website
  • Nonprofit rate on booth display at Symposium
  • One vote per Affiliate at annual meetings and election of officers

Current Chapters not wishing to become Affiliates are encouraged to join as Nonprofit members where eligible.

Featured Lake Association – Indiana Lake Management Society

Since the upcoming NALMS symposium is in Indiana, we thought it would be appropriate to feature the Indiana Lake Management Society (ILMS). ILMS was incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in the State of Indiana in 1991 with the interest to protect and save Indiana lakes for future generations.

In the years since incorporation, the organization has set forth five primary objectives:

1. Promote and provide a forum for the sharing of information and experience on scientific, legal, administrative, and financial aspects of lake and watershed management.

2. Foster and assist in the development of local lake restoration and protection programs in accordance with appropriate management strategies and techniques.

3. Encourage the cooperation and interaction of organizations, agencies, units of government, and individuals concerned with lake and watershed management and protection.

4. Encourage, support and assist in the development of local, state and national programs, policies, and legislation promoting lake and watershed management.

5. Encourage development and enforcement of laws and legislation designed to protect vital water resources and their environments.

ILMS membership is currently just over 250 in 7 different categories (student, Individual, Affiliate, Family, Non profit, Public Utility and Sustaining). The 13-member Board of Directors, lead by Mark Mongin (2006 President), are very busy. With a quarterly newsletter, fall workshops, 2-day annual conference, hosting the 2006 NALMS symposium, and keep their great website updated (www.indianalakes.org); the ILMS organization is a great example of what can get accomplished by a state lake association.

This fall, they have even started up the Lake Leaders Scholarship program. This funding is to help Indiana Lake Leaders get to the NALMS symposium. They are providing funds for the conference and workshops related to lake and watershed management and providing a one year NALMS and ILMS membership. This scholarship idea is a great way to get local lake leaders to the NALMS conference and to boost membership for both organizations. Hopefully other host chapters will follow their lead on this scholarship idea.

The 7th Annual NALMS 2007 Lakes Appreciation Month Poster Contest

Promote the protection and stewardship of our aquatic resources by encouraging students to participate in the NALMS 2007 Lakes Appreciation Month Poster Contest! Both the students and their schools will benefit from this contest. The student winner will have their poster displayed throughout the country on the 2007 NALMS Lakes Appreciation Month poster and will receive a $100 cash prize. The school which the winner attends will receive a $500 cash prize to use towards materials related to lake ecology.

Students in grades 4-8 may participate. Poster themes should focus on any lake and watershed issues, and may include topics such as pollution, aquatic invasive species, aquatic life, aquatic plants, lake ecology and lake health. Posters should be no larger than 18 inches by 24 inches in size, and be in a style that is easily reproduced (i.e., crayon, watercolor, colored pencil, or marker). Please include the student’s name, school, grade, teacher’s name and school contact information on the back of the poster. Posters must be received by the NALMS Education Committee no later than October 31, 2006.

Posters should be shipped to:
NHDES
Attn: Amy Smagula
29 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03301

2007 NALMS Calendar – Hot Off the Press

The first NALMS calendar will be available in November. Those attending the Indianapolis Symposium should receive a calendar; others wanting a copy of the calendar should contact the NALMS office. This 2007 calendar features LakeLine photo contest pictures of North American lakes, contact information for the NALMS chapters, and some of the events scheduled for 2007. This calendar is provided free by generous sponsors. Additional copies of the calendar may be purchased, depending on availability.

Ask the Lakespert

Q: I have been fishing a lot this summer and have seen several signs near boat ramps talking about ‘hitchhikers.’ What are they, and should I pick one up to be nice? — Will Foil (Salt Cedar, NV)

A: No, you definitely should not pick one up. The signs posted near boat ramps are talking about the exotic, non-native, aquatic species that can get attached to your boat, trailer, or fishing gear. These nuisance “hitchhikers” can then be taken to the next body of water where your boat, trailer, and equipment will be immersed, thus causing a new infestation of that exotic plant or animal.

The biggest fear is spreading exotic aquatic macrophytes such as: Eurasian watermilfoil, Brazilian elodea, hydrilla, curly-leaf pond weed and many others. Most of these exotic plant fragments can survive out of water for many days and then be viable once back in the water. Exotics, once in a lake, are basically there for good. The only way to then control these invasive species is with expensive chemical treatments and/or intensive manual removal techniques.

The best way to make sure you don’t transport exotics is by cleaning the underside of your boat trailer, your boat prop, and between your boat and trailer where plant parts can be trapped. Power washing with hot water is a great way to avoid “hitchhikers.” Just make sure the runoff from the power washer is not connected to any stormwater drains that lead to a lake. “Hitchhikers” are very tricky and are serious. Please do your part.

The Issue of “Funneling”

(From the ILMS website, indianalakes.org/index_files/Funneling)

Funneling is an increasingly critical issue for many lakes as more and more residents seek the joy of lake living. Funneling is described as when someone purchases a lakefront property, acreage near that lake property and then permits lake access for the now developed larger property’s residents and visitors. A complex political problem for many counties, the results of funneling are illustrated in the simplified schoolboy drawings below...

At left, the drawing depicts a lake with modest, single-family residences. The one boat shown is unusual in today’s recreationally minded society. Most lake dwellers own an average of two and one-half motorized vessels. So, it is necessary to consider multiple watercrafts at today’s Indiana lakes.

Note the “vacant” property at the top of the illustration.

In the drawing at right the “vacant” property has been purchased and become part of an adjacent development. Shown are the simple results a large development with a lakefront access property could have on a lake, considering only boating and boat population. Again, the illustration presumes only one watercraft per household. The lakeshore resident boats are in green, and the development homeowner boats are in pink.

The result can be almost immediate over-use of the lake.

The issue is not who has the right to use our natural resources, but the impact an overabundance of people and motorized watercraft can have on the lake ecosystem.

Determining exactly how much use a lake can withstand in the constant churning brought about by watercraft is difficult. Many ecologists say the “limit” may only be determined when the ecosystem is near collapse.

Solutions are difficult and usually result in a heated, politically charged, debate.

Chapters News

Tennessee

Looking for dredging advice. If anyone has experience with dredging, please contact Gerrit Verschuur, verschuur@aol.com. The lake is the 235-acre Garner Lake in Lakeland, TN, 20 miles from Memphis. The coves are in dire need of dredging in some form. Because of residential build-up they cannot reach the water’s edge with a track hoe. They seek advice on how to tackle this problem.

Kansas

33rd Annual Great Plains Limnology Conference (October 21, 2006)
The conference will be hosted by the Division of Biology at Kansas State University. There will also be an informal gathering on the evening of Friday, October 20 at Konza Prairie Biological Station.

The Great Plains Limnology Conference provides an informal setting for scientists to present and discuss their research. The theme of this year's meeting will be Ecological Forecasting and Thresholds in the Central Plains.

Both oral and poster presentations will be accepted. Oral presentations will be tentatively scheduled for 15 minutes and presenters will have access to overhead, and LCD projectors. Abstracts should be submitted electronically (embedded within e-mail [preferred] or attached as MS Word or .txt file) following the guidelines presented in the registration form to: dwalks@ksu.edu.

The registration fee is $5 for students $10 for non-students, and $15 on-site.

Abstracts and registration must be received by Tuesday, October 17 for inclusion in the conference program.

Accommodations:
A limited number of rooms are available at the Konza Prairie Biological Station for Friday night (Single - $16 per night or Double - $12 per night, linens are available for an additional $3). Two cabins are also available for groups of up to 5 each. Rooms will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis, so register early.

Local hotels in Manhattan include the Fairfield Inn (800-228-2800, closest to Konza), Comfort Inn (800-4CHOICE), the Econolodge (877-702-7753), Holiday Inn (800-HOLIDAY), Hampton Inn (800-HAMPTON ), and the Ramada Inn 800-962-0014. Other information can be found at:
http://www.manhattancvb.org/index.asp?NID=2

Please share this information with any of your colleagues and friends who might be interested. Direct any questions to:

Deb Walks or Michelle Evans-White
Phone: (785) 532-6603
Email: dwalks@ksu.edu; mevanswh@ksu.edu

Invasive Species

Will Rock Snot Get into Our Lakes!

The Problem - Historically, Didymosphenia geminata (“Didymo” for short) was a rare and beautiful diatom (a type of algae) restricted to pristine lakes and streams of northern latitudes. In recent years, its reputation has changed. While the diatom is still lovely, it is no longer rare. “Didymo” now forms excessive growths in many streams and rivers of North America. In North America, “Didymo” is expanding its geographical range and forming massive growths in streams. This nuisance organism (in some regions, it is an invasive species) grows attached in streambeds and may impact freshwater fish, aquatic plants, and important aquatic insects.

Human Impacts - Economic impacts include fouling of water intakes and a possible link to decline in fisheries. Impacts to aesthetics are common, with reports of unsightly masses that appear like strands of toilet paper or fiberglass. The growths become snagged in fishing gear and make swimming areas unappealing. Direct human impacts are thought to be limited to eye irritation in swimmers.

The Organism - Didymosphenia geminata is a single-celled alga, within the group of algae called diatoms (Bacillariophyta). The cells grow on stalks and form large colonies. The stalks are responsible for the negative impacts of this species and are composed of a complex slimy substance (mucopolysaccaride). Colonies of cells are visible as white to light brown tufts attached to rocks. As the colonies develop, they smother rocks and trap fine sediment.

Habitat - Didymosphenia geminata tends to form excessive mats in:
* Low, stable flow
* Water 3 inches to 6 feet deep
* Moderate to high current
* Below outlets of lakes and reservoirs
* Sunny, open streams

For more information about this diatom, go to www.epa.gov/Region8/water/monitoring/didymosphenia.html.

Open Invitation to Add to the Next NALMS Notes

If you are having a conference, have a lake-related question, need advice, looking for similar lake problems, have an interesting story to share, are selling something or just want to be heard throughout NALMS, please send your material to Steve Lundt at slundt@mwrd.dst.co.us.