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Algae Bloom in Lake, or Not
While it appeared that an algae bloom was beginning to form at the end of August (right on time), it seems as though the passage of Tropical Storm Lee may have changed conditions in Lake Pontchartrain enough to end the bloom. During the storm, southeast Louisiana experienced a lot of rain and wind, adding water to the lake and churning it up. The storm surge also pushed salty gulf water into the lake. Whereas salinities in the lake were at about 1 to 1.5 parts per thousand (very fresh) before Lee, they are now between 2 and 5 ppt (nearly normal for the Lake at this time of year). The actions of the rain, wind, and storm surge seem to have dissipated any blooms that were forming. Since the algae can not grow in salty water, the increased salinities (and now cooler weather) mean that we are unlikely to see a bloom at this point. Nature may have helped Lake Pontchartrain avoid an algae bloom this time. It is important to note that after an opening of the Bonnet C arré Spillway it is still extremely likely that an algae bloom will occur in the lake. LPBF will continue to work with federal and state agencies in the optimum usage of the Bonnet Carré, including diverting small amounts of Mississippi River into the adjacent wetlands to nourish and freshen them. From past Bonnet Carré openings, we anticipate that the Lake will be returning to normal conditions in about 6 months.
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Beach Sweep Results
 LPBF's 22nd Annual Beach Sweep presented by Toyota again was a great success! Over 1,700 people came out all around the lake on September 17th to help clean more than 141 miles along streets, ditches and lakefront. Almost 15,000 lbs of trash were estimated to be removed that could wash into waterways. This continues the downward trend of trash being thrown out in our region. Read more. |
Ye Olde College Inn Donates to LPBF
Enjoy a night out with family and friends while helping to raise funds for LPBF. Join us for Dining Out to Save Our Lake & Coast on Wednesday, October 12 from 4:00 to 11:00pm at Ye Olde College Inn Restaurant to help Save Our Lake & Coast. 20% of the net proceeds from bar, food and take-out orders will be generously donated to LPBF to help in the mission of preserving and restoring our Lake & Coast. |
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Albertsons Challenge
Help LPBF win, vote today! Albertson's is hosting a Grant Challenge giving away grants between $1000 and $25,000. LPBF submitted our Storm Drain Decal Project to teach that storm drains drain to our Lake. From October 1st through 15th, go to their website, enter your email address and vote for LPBF up to 5 times per day! Up to 60 organizations with the highest number of votes in their grant level will earn a grant. |
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How Do You Enjoy Our Lake?
From swimming to fishing or biking along Lakeshore Drive, Lake Pontchartrain can be enjoyed in many ways. Send us a picture of how you enjoy our Lake and it will be included in the next issue of LPBF's publication of Lake & Coast. Email pictures to angelak@saveourlake.org. |
