Hopatcong HAB

[NJSquatch]

It is an epidemic.


http://lakehopatcongcommission.org/index.php/2019/06/19/harmful-algal-bloom-advisory/

[Charlie B]

Does anyone know what if anything can be done about it? I sure hope something can be done about it...Charlie

[ScowardNJ]

There isn't really anything that can be done. A quick google search of the algae they test for says these algae are a direct result of excessive nutrient runoff. So as long as we keep getting rained on coupled with agricultural, residential, and commercial nutrient runoff...These events will be common.

Unless there is a treatment to get the blooms under control but who knows what the side effects of that would be?

[Charlie B]

That doesn't sound very encouraging...Charlie

[pickerelpete]

This is nothing new. They just started taking actions based on test results within the past few years. Blooms are very common and I'm sure we have all seen them and wrote them off as pollen in the water. It clears itself.

[NJSquatch]

Don't think this has ever happened?

https://www.nj.gov/dep/newsrel/2019/19_0053.htm

On the bright side no damn wake board boats! :)

[bucketmouthjunkie]

That's not good. I was hoping it would only be a week like Swartswood was last year. I wonder if they'll cancel the fireworks tomorrow night?

[akoop]

I think this is my fault because I finally dished out the money for a boat slip on the lake this year!

[Ken Lyons]

If you replace all the septics with a sewage treatment plant, $$$, that would fix it.

[AndyS]

Lawn fertilizers to blame ?? What about the 12,000 trout stocked in there. How will this effect Lake Musconetcong and the Musconetcong river ?

[Charlie B]

I would think all the goose droppings in and around the water adds to the problem...Charlie

[Hookmanski]

Looks like it’s back at Spruce Run too.

http://newjersey.news12.com/story/40725628/dep-warns-not-to-touch-water-at-spruce-run-reservoir-in-clinton

[akoop]

Anyone know why the state hasn't posted any of the sampling results from this past Tuesday? The website says samples are taken every Tuesday and Thursday and the results will be posted the following day but the last sampling data is from 7/11/19.

[dakota560]

Anyone know why the state hasn't posted any of the sampling results from this past Tuesday? The website says samples are taken every Tuesday and Thursday and the results will be posted the following day but the last sampling data is from 7/11/19.

The guy who did the sampling turned into a lizard so they couldn't complete the testing:eek:!

[Honghui]

Anyone know why the state hasn't posted any of the sampling results from this past Tuesday? The website says samples are taken every Tuesday and Thursday and the results will be posted the following day but the last sampling data is from 7/11/19.
They already did!
Things look much better now.
https://www.state.nj.us/dep/wms/bfbm/Lake_Hopatcong_HAB_samplinglocations_results_07191 9.pdf

[acabtp]

heard from a guy who heard from his buddy that the black tanker trucks came at night and shipped it all up to Greenwood Lake now :p

[Ken Lyons]

You have a lake without an inch of uninhabited shoreline and lots and lots of rain. This follows years of less than normal rainfall. Where is the mystery?

[dakota560]

Was having a discussion with someone the other day who lives in the Lake Mohawk Community. They mentioned they have the following policy which you can find on line.

Non-Phosphorous Community:
In a lake community, phosphorous is the NUMBER ONE ENEMY. Phosphorous feeds the algae and the weeds in our Lakes. For that reason, ordinances have been passed in both Byram and Sparta Townships prohibiting fertilizers containing phosphorous and requiring that septic systems be pumped every three (3) years. We also recommend that you use household products, laundry and dishwasher soaps that have no or low phosphorous. Your cooperation is necessary to maintain a healthy ecological lake environment.

Does Lake Hopatcong have a similar policy and if not why not? IF use of phosphorous based fertilizers is the leading cause of HAB, I would think this is a no-brainer relative to what the community is going through this year. Nice lawns are just that nice, but if they're making the community unsafe to it's residents what's the point.

[NJSquatch]

Does Lake Hopatcong have a similar policy and if not why not? IF use of phosphorous based fertilizers is the leading cause of HAB, I would tink this is a no-brainer relative to what the community is going through this year. Nice lawns are just that nice, but if they're making the community unsafe to it's residents what's the point.

All the municipalities have ordinances against the use of phosphorus fertilizer. Like all laws it needs to be enforced. Good luck with that.

[NJSquatch]

Interesting opinion article on HAB. NJ standards are much higher than other states.

https://www.nj.com/opinion/2019/07/morris-county-senator-asks-if-the-states-reasons-for-closing-lake-hopatcong-are-a-little-fishy-mulshine.html

[dakota560]

Interesting opinion article on HAB. NJ standards are much higher than other states.

https://www.nj.com/opinion/2019/07/morris-county-senator-asks-if-the-states-reasons-for-closing-lake-hopatcong-are-a-little-fishy-mulshine.html

Not sure if my post was deleted from yesterday or not but here goes again. Can't blame NJ for being overly cautious in the litigious world we live in today. One person goes swimming and contracts some kind of health issue and 1,000 lawyers will be all over it. State will be sued, Lake Hopatcong Association will be sued as will any third party involved in any way shape or form. Not worth losing your career, pension and livelihood being reckless or overly optimistic with such a nasty toxin. Maybe Connecticut for some reason is more risk averse or a less litigious state. Either way, the issue is real and the lake is crying out for a wake up call from years of abuse. If drastic changes don't happen, things will only get worse in the future.