2017 sandpit lake management - grand island
TRANSCRIPT
Sandpit Lake Management
Katie Pekarek, Nebraska ExtensionMike Archer, NE Dept. of Environmental QualityBrad Eifert, Nebraska Game and ParksAlison Zach, Nebraska Invasive Species Program
What are your lake’s characteristics?
A Blue Jewel
Catchment Basin with Development Site
Sub-watershed
Watershed
River basin (or sub-basin)
Water Movement Hydrologic Cycle
Unique Systems
Water BudgetGroundwater
Inflow
Stream InflowStream Outflow
Transpiration
Evaporation
Groundwater OutflowSurface
Runoff
Precipitation++
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+=
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Pond Ecology
Zones of a Typical Pond
Habitat and the Food Web
Lake Types Seepage Groundwater Drainage/Spring Lakes Drainage Impoundments Oxbow Sandpit
Sandpit Lakes Manmade Water Source
Predominantly Groundwater
Minimal Runoff Nearby rivers or
streams
Seepage Lake Natural Lake Water Source
Groundwater Precipitation Limited Runoff
No Stream Outlet/Inlet
http://www.wisconsinlakes.org/index.php/the-science-of-lakes/21-lake-types
Natural Lake Water Source
Groundwater Precipitation Limited Runoff
Has Stream Outlet http://www.wisconsinlakes.org/index.php/the-science-of-lakes/21-lake-types
Groundwater Drainage Lake
Drainage Lake Natural Lake Water Source
Streams Groundwater Precipitation Runoff
Has Stream Outlet http://www.wisconsinlakes.org/index.php/the-science-of-lakes/21-lake-types
o Manmadeo Created by damming
a streamo Water Source
o Streamso Groundwatero Precipitationo Runoff
o Has Stream Outlethttp://www.wisconsinlakes.org/index.php/the-science-of-lakes/21-lake-types
Impoundment
Oxbow Lake
Intended UseBoating
Fishing
Aesthetics
Swimming
Origin of Lakes
So you have a question???
What are your lake’s characteristics?
Water Sources Water Budget/ Water Cycle? Pond Ecology (plants, fish, sediment…)? Lake Measurements? Intended Use?
Pond Measurements Careful estimates of pond area and volume
are critical measurements for management of aquatic plants and algae.
Area Transects GPS units Google Earth
Volume – Area X depth = acre feet
Lake Depth Deep Lakes
Stratification
Shallow Lakes Continuous
Cycling
Lake Oxygen - Summer
Lake Turnover
Lake Oxygen Winter
Common Pond Problems
SANDPIT FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
Components of Fisheries Management
Fish Habitat
People
Determine Primary Uses of Lake What are your Goals ?
General fishing opportunities Trophy fish Maximize harvest Catch and release
Other Lake Uses Powerboating / skiing Hunting Wildlife viewing
What’s In Your Lake?Angling reportsVisual
observationSampling with
gear Private consultants NGPC
Fish Stocking – New Lake Choose game fish species that naturally
reproduce / recruit in small lakes Eliminates need for annual stocking
Recommended stocking combination Largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie
Fish Stocking – New LakeAnother option
Smallmouth bass – Primary predator Redear sunfish or rock bass – panfish species
Channel Catfish Typically do not reproduce successfully in
sandpits Stock 10 inch catfish in sandpits with established
bass populations Stock 30 to 50 fish per acre Stock every two to three years
Other Species
Walleye Wipers Northern Pike Yellow Perch Rainbow Trout Grass Carp
Problematic Fish Species Common Carp Gizzard Shad Carpsucker / Buffalo Bullheads Green Sunfish White Perch Asian Carp (Silver, Bighead, Grass)
Managing Unwanted Species Prevention Predator stockings
Largemouth bass, northern pike, wipers, walleye
Removal Angling, archery, seining,
shocking Chemical renovation
(rotenone)
Sandpit Construction Most sandpits are mined for the sand and gravel
Very deep (greater than 20 feet) Steep sides and sandy shorelines and substrate Sterile environment Typically not fish friendly
Sandpit ConstructionIn a perfect situation….. Lake would have variable depths
25% of basin would be approximately 15 - 20 feet 25% of basin would be less than 6 feet 50% of lake would be 8 to 12 feet
Lake would have irregular shorelines Bank sloping would vary from 3:1 to 6:1 Protected from flooding
Intensive Fish Management
Fish Feeders Aeration Habitat improvement Single species lakes Hybrid / Triploid stocking
Wipers, green sunfish x bluegill, crappie
Aeration Water circulation systems (destratify - oxygenate) Keep diffuser up off the bottom (pedestal or
suspend) Start early spring – avoid winter / waterfowl Do not start up late spring or summer – fish kill likely
Sandpit Habitat Enhancements Submerged Structure
Provides substrate for fish food (invertebrates), fish cover/spawning areas, and concentrates fish for improved fishing success
Brush, rock, PVC, etc Placement depth
Fishing Powerboating and swimming hazards
404 Permit Coordination Army Corps of Engineers 402-896-0723
Management Strategies No Harvest Restrictions
Balanced Population Manage for a variety of
fish sizes
Large bass option
Large panfish option
RegulationsLength limitsBag limitsSeasonsPrivate water
Technical Assistance Contact your area NGPC
Fisheries Biologist or Private Waters Specialist (Jeff Blaser 402-471-5435)
UNL Extension Agents Nebraska Department
Environmental Quality Private Consulting Firms Internet Sources
PondBoss.com
Questions
Water Quality Standards
Water Quality• Water Clarity• Bacteria• Contaminants• Algae• Fish Kills
Water Quality• Water Clarity
Excessive phytoplankton Decomposing organic
matter Rough fish
Bacteria• Escherichia coli (E. coli)
• Sources• Waste products of any warm-blooded animal• Septic systems• Waterfowl• Livestock waste runoff
• Health Concerns• Gastroenteritis• Dysentery • Hepatitis • Cholera• Typhoid Fever
Contaminants• Pesticides
• Atrazine• Acetochlor• Metolachlor
• Nutrients • Nitrogen• Phosphorus
• Metals• Lead• Mercury• Calcium• Magnesium• Aluminum• Arsenic• Copper• Iron• Numerous others
ContaminantsMetals• Lead
• Lead shot• Fishing weights• Industrial waste• Naturally occurring
• Mercury• Coal fired power plants• Health effects (Methylmercury)
• Deteriorates central nervous system• Impairs hearing, speech, vision and gate
• Bioaccumulation• Aluminum
• Common treatment for eutrophic lakes• Possible health concerns with elevated levels of Al.
• Parkinson’s Disease, ALS, Alzheimer's• Mobilization of Al due to low pH can become toxic to fish
• Nitrogen• Sources
• Rain• Runoff – Residential and Agricultural lands
• Fertilizer • Animal Waste
• Waterfowl• Septic Systems and Sewage Treatment Facilities• Illegal Dumping
• Ammonia
• Phosphorus• Sources
• Runoff – Residential and Agricultural lands• Fertilizer
• Soil Erosion• Detergents• Septic Systems
ContaminantsNutrients
Aquatic Vegetation
Aquatic Vegetation Important Component of Aquatic EnvironmentProvides food, nesting, nursery, coverOxygenates water Stabilizes shoreline and bottom sediment
Can be a problem (over 50% pond surface affected)Fishing becomes difficultUpsets balance between bass and bluegillExcessive plant die-off's affect dissolved oxygenEnd of growing seasonCloudy weather/muddy water decreases sunlight Decomposition depletes oxygen – fish kills
www.aquaplant.tamu.edu
Floating Emergent Submerged Algae Page 62 of
Pond Guide
www.illinoiswildflowers.info
Aquatic Vegetation
www.lakerestoration.com
Aquatic VegetationFloating
en.wikipedia.com
Watermeal
Duckweedwww.lakerestoration.com
Aquatic VegetationEmergent
Cattail
ArrowheadApi.ning.com
BulrushAquaplants.tamu.edu
Aquatic VegetationSubmerged
Illinoiswildflowers.info
Coontail American Pondweed
Aquaplants.tamu.edu
Water LilyAquaplant.tamu.edu
Aquatic VegetationInvasive/Noxious
Purple LoosestrifeMarbleheadconservancy.org Curly-leaf Pondweed
Neinvasives.comEurasian Watermilfoil
Neinvasives.com
Aquatic VegetationInvasive/Noxious• State Noxious Weeds
• Saltcedar• Phragmites• Purple Loosestrife
• Invasive in Nebraska –• Status Unknown• Parrot Feather• Hydrilla• Water Hyacinth
Aquatic Vegetation (cont.)Preventive MeasuresAdequate water depthSlope at waterline 2:1 to 3:1Land use practices, buffer strips, restrict livestock access/wasteReduces excessive nutrients in water and sediment Use fertilizers with no or low phosphorus Control MeasuresPhysical or mechanical removal
Discard plants away from pond (also fragments) Removal reduces associated nutrients
Aquatic Vegetation (cont.)Chemical ControlSpot treatment (shoreline areas, create fishing/boating lanes)If large area, only do 1/3 to 1/4, wait 2 weeks Many are restricted use – certification requiredRead and follow directions on label, treat before excessive Biological Control (grass carp)Not a cure all – prefer certain plants, inefficient, long livedLimited control of algae, duckweed, coontail, pond lily, milfoilOverstocked, eliminate beneficial plants, algae blooms result
Aquatic Vegetation Algae
• Algae• Filamentous• Planktonic
• Blue-Green Algae
Aquatic Vegetation Algae• Elevated Nutrients
• Eutrophication• Extensive macrophytic growth• Algal blooms• Blue Green Algae
• Toxin producing• Microcystins• Anatoxin-a• BMAA• DABA
Aquatic Vegetation Algae• Health Effects
• Microcystin• Humans
• Liver Damage• Skin irritant
• Pets and Livestock• Ingestion is likely fatal
• BMAA & DABA• Suspected Effects
• ALS • Parkinson's Disease• Alzheimer’s Disease• Nervous System
• Anatoxin – a• Suspected Effects
• Nervous System
AlgaeAquatic Vegetation Algae• Prevention
• Reduce the amount of nutrients entering the lake• No phosphorus fertilizer• Eliminate waterfowl
• Harass do not harm • Check with USFWS, UNL extension, NGPC
• Eliminate livestock access and any associated runoff - Pick up pet waste
• Construct berms and natural grass barriers• Inspect septic system
Aquatic Vegetation Algae
PreventionBiological Controls (Bio-manipulation) Floating Treatment Wetlands (FTW)Riparian VegetationPhysical Controls AerationMechanical CirculationHypolimnetic OxygenationChemical ControlsAlum, ferric salts, clay (Coagulation and Flocculation)Barley Straw
Aquatic Vegetation Algae Control
Physical Controls Aeration Hydrologic manipulations Mechanical mixing (circulation) Reservoir drawdown/dessication Surface skimming Ultrasound Chemical Controls Algaecides Barley straw Coagulation FlocculationHypolimnetic oxygenation Biological Controls (Biomanipulation)Floating artificial wetlandsIncreasing grazing pressureIncreasing resource competition
Aquatic Vegetation Algae• Aquatic Herbicides
• Use sparingly!! • Treat 1/4 to 1/3 of the problem at a time• Copper Sulfate
• Chelated – Cutrine- Plus
• Alum
• Lake Sediment Dredging
Nuisance Animals
Questions
Aquatic Invasive Species
Allison Zach
Nebraska’s Most Unwanted Aquatic Invasive Species
Rock Snot: Freshwater algae that attaches to stable underwater surfaces and can form large ‘blooms’
Asian Carp: Silver, Big Head, Black and Grass-compete with native & game fishes
White Perch: Outcompete native fishes for food
Chinese Mysterysnail: Compete with native mollusk and fish species. Clog intake pipes
Zebra & Quagga Mussels: Filter feed large amounts of plankton. Clog intake & outtake pipes.
Rusty Crayfish: Eats and damages stands of aquatic plants reducing food and habitat for invertebrates and fish.
Zebra & Quagga Mussels
BiologyBiology• Freshwater bivalve mollusksFreshwater bivalve mollusks• Highly variable color patternsHighly variable color patterns• Triangular (Zebra) Triangular (Zebra) • Rounded (Quagga)Rounded (Quagga)• Live 4 – 5 yearsLive 4 – 5 years• Settled adults and juveniles can Settled adults and juveniles can
survive up to survive up to 30 days out of 30 days out of waterwater
• Veligers will remain viable for Veligers will remain viable for up to up to 27 days in standing water. 27 days in standing water.
Zebra musselsZebra mussels
Quagga MusselsQuagga Mussels
Zebra and Quagga Mussels
Zebra and Quagga MusselsBiologyBiology• Extremely ProlificExtremely Prolific
• Reproduce exponentially - can spawn year round if Reproduce exponentially - can spawn year round if conditions are favorable. conditions are favorable.
• A A single female mussel can produce up to single female mussel can produce up to 1 mil eggs/yr!1 mil eggs/yr!
• Byssal ThreadsByssal Threads• Attach to hard and semi-soft substrateAttach to hard and semi-soft substrate• Clog infrastructure and water distributionClog infrastructure and water distribution• Smother benthic organismsSmother benthic organisms• Foul watercraft equipmentFoul watercraft equipment
Zebra and Quagga MusselsBiologyBiology• Filter FeedersFilter Feeders• 1 adult can filter up to 1 adult can filter up to 1 liter of 1 liter of
water a daywater a day
• Remove plankton from water, Remove plankton from water, base of food chainbase of food chain
• Degrade water quality – taste Degrade water quality – taste and odorand odor
Zebra and Quagga MusselsSpread Spread
• Native to EurasiaNative to Eurasia
• First discovered in Great Lakes-1988First discovered in Great Lakes-1988
• West of 100West of 100thth Meridian in 2007 Meridian in 2007
• Spread rapidlySpread rapidly• Downstream in waterDownstream in water• Overland in water Overland in water • Attached to boatsAttached to boats
Zebra & Quagga Mussel Effects
Zebra Mussels are Good at Hiding Veligers up to 30 days
in engine water
Zebra Mussel Veligers (Larvae)
February 2017 Zebra & Quagga Range Map
Lewis & Clark
Lewis & Clark
OffuttOffutt
ZorinskyZorinsky
Cortland, NE Golf Course’s Irrigation Intake
2016 Zebra Mussel 2016 Zebra Mussel Finds on MO River Finds on MO River boat launchesboat launches
The entire length of MO River in Nebraska is considered infested with zebra mussels
Dispose of bait on land, not in the water. Help prevent invasive fish and diseases from being released.
Remove mud, plants, animalsWipe all water from boat
Bone dry for 5 days. Vinegar-soak equipment for 20 mins. 140 power wash decon.
Pull plug to drain live wells & bilge.Use towel to dry compartments
Nebraska’s Invasive Aquatic Plants
Eurasian Watermilfoil Brittle Naiad
Curly-Leaf Pondweed
Property values were reduced by up to 16% from aquatic invasive plant infestations
AIS Watercraft Inspections &
Outreachwill have 7
Techs this year
Allison Zach Phone: (402) 472-3133 Email: [email protected]
Visit: Neinvasives.com