Brian Barton
Lacamas Lake is a small lake in Clark County, Washington, that is popular for fishing and water skiing. The lake is currently facing severe pollution from phosphorus, nitrogen, and ammonia, which are collected in the lake water and lake bed from polluted streams. This has resulted in a murky appearance and severe algae problems, with algae clogging the surface to a depth of about 18 feet, preventing oxygen from penetrating the deep water. The local government has developed a Lake Management Plan to address these issues and improve water quality, with chemical treatments scheduled for summer 2024 to control the amount of phosphorus and reduce harmful algal blooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Clark County, Washington |
| Size | 2.4-mile (3.9 km) long and 60-foot-deep (18 m) |
| Water Temperature | Warm |
| Water Quality | Polluted with phosphorus, nitrogen, ammonia, and other pollutants |
| Algal Blooms | Present, particularly in the Cove area |
| Fish Species | Brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, catfish, and sturgeon |
| Recreational Activities | Fishing, water skiing, swimming, boating, jet skiing |
| Treatment Plans | Chemical treatment with Aluminum Sulfate (Alumn) and Eutrosorb G scheduled for summer 2024 to reduce phosphorus and improve water quality |
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What You'll Learn
High levels of phosphorus, nitrogen, and ammonia
Lacamas Lake in Clark County, Washington, is a popular place for locals to go fishing and water skiing. However, the lake has been facing severe pollution from high levels of phosphorus, nitrogen, and ammonia. These pollutants enter the lake through various sources, including polluted streams that pass through farm fields, barnyards, and subdivisions before running into the lake. The surrounding land use, including large open fields and private farms or ranches, also contributes to the pollution. The runoff from these areas contains high levels of fertilizers, leading to nutrient abundance in the lake.
The high levels of phosphorus, in particular, have been a significant concern for the Lacamas Lake community. In 2021, it was discovered that the Lacamas Shores biofilter, intended to clean stormwater, was actually adding to the pollution by releasing untreated stormwater with high levels of phosphorus into the lake. This has resulted in increased public awareness and calls for action from the Lacamas Shores Homeowners Association to address the issue.
Nitrogen and ammonia levels in the lake are also elevated due to similar sources as phosphorus. The polluted streams that run into the lake carry high levels of nitrogen and ammonia, impacting the water quality. The warm water temperature of Lacamas Lake further contributes to the problem by promoting the growth of algae. The sun warms the top layer of the lake, creating an ideal environment for warm-water fish species such as bass, bluegill, and perch. However, the algae growth clogs the surface, blocking oxygen from reaching the deeper layers.
The combination of high nutrient levels and lack of circulation in the lower depths has resulted in severe algae problems. The algae blooms in Lacamas Lake are not only unsightly but also harmful to the ecosystem and potentially toxic to humans and pets. The City of Camas has been working to address this issue by developing a Lake Management Plan and implementing chemical treatments to control the phosphorus levels, which contribute to the harmful algal blooms. The treatments, such as EutroSORB WC and Aluminum Sulfate (Alumn), are designed to inactivate or bind with phosphorus, respectively, without impacting water quality or ecology.
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Algal blooms and poor circulation
Lacamas Lake in Clark County, Washington, is a popular place for locals to fish, swim, and water ski. However, the lake has been facing significant pollution issues, including algal blooms and poor circulation.
The lake's pollution is caused by a combination of factors, including agricultural runoff, untreated stormwater, and a faulty biofilter. The 43,000 acres of land around Lacamas Lake and Round Lake collect precipitation, forming Lacamas Creek, which feeds into both lakes. This area is mostly large open fields and private farm or ranch land. The runoff from these farms contains high levels of fertilizers, leading to nutrient abundance in both lakes. This nutrient-rich environment, coupled with a lack of circulation in the lower depths, has resulted in severe algae problems.
Algal blooms have severe consequences for the lake's ecosystem and the recreational activities it supports. The algae clog the surface of the lake to a depth of about 18 feet (5.5 m), preventing oxygen from penetrating the deep, cold water below. This lack of oxygen makes it challenging for fish to survive, and only a few species, such as brown trout, rainbow trout, and largemouth bass, can be found in the lake. The algae also reduce the visibility of the lake, making it less appealing for swimming and water skiing.
The City of Camas and Clark County have recognized the severity of the issue and developed a Lake Management Plan to address the algal blooms and improve water quality. They plan to use chemical treatments, such as Aluminum Sulfate (Alumn) and Eutrosorb G, to reduce the phosphorus levels in the lake, which contribute to the harmful algal blooms. The treatments are expected to improve water clarity and control the algae population.
In addition to chemical treatments, the management plan also includes strategies such as closing off the most affected areas, such as the Cove, with buoys and fencing, and posting warning signs to protect public health. The City and County are also working together to determine where Cyanotoxin tests should be conducted and to implement recommended watershed-based strategies and actions to improve water quality.
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Pollution from runoff and biofilters
Lacamas Lake in Clark County, Washington, is a popular place for locals to fish and water ski. The lake is relatively small, at 2.4 miles (3.9 km) long, and is very warm compared to other lakes in the area. The temperature drops off quickly with depth, and the lake cannot support life below 18 ft (5.5 m).
The lake has been facing severe pollution issues due to runoff from the surrounding 43,000 acres (170 km2) of land, which consists mostly of large open fields and private farm or ranch land. The runoff contains high levels of fertilizers, which has led to a nutrient abundance in the lake. This, coupled with a lack of circulation in the lower depths, has caused a severe algae problem. The surface of the lake is clogged with algae, preventing oxygen from penetrating the deeper waters. This has resulted in a depletion of oxygen in the deeper waters, making them barren and lifeless.
To address the pollution in Lacamas Lake, the implementation of biofilters could be considered. Biofilters are a type of technology that utilizes microorganisms to remove pollutants from air or water. In the case of Lacamas Lake, biofilters could be used to treat the water and remove excess nutrients and pollutants before they enter the lake.
Biofilters work by passing air or water through a media bed, where a biological layer called a biofilm is formed by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and yeast. The pollutants are then transferred into the biofilm, where they are degraded by the microorganisms. Biofilters are effective in treating a range of pollutants, including sulfur gases, hydrogen sulfide, ethyl benzene, dimethyl sulfides, and nitrous oxide. They are also cost-effective, with low maintenance costs compared to other solutions, and do not produce secondary pollution.
However, one of the challenges of using biofilters is the need for proper maintenance. The flow rate, load, temperature, and pH levels must be carefully monitored and controlled to ensure optimal conditions for the microorganisms. Additionally, biofilters require a large area, which could be a drawback depending on the specific context and available space.
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Water temperature and oxygen depletion
Lacamas Lake is a small lake in Clark County, Washington, USA. The lake is a popular place for locals to fish and water ski. The lake is warm compared to other lakes in the area, and the temperature drops off quickly with depth. The sun warms the top layer of the lake's water, making it suitable for warm-water fish such as bass, bluegill, and perch.
However, the warm water temperature of Lacamas Lake has contributed to oxygen depletion in the lake's deeper waters. The warm surface water sits on top of colder, denser water, separating it from atmospheric oxygen. This stratification of the water into layers of different temperatures can lead to oxygen depletion in the deeper layers. The onset of stratification is moving earlier, and the duration of stratification is increasing, providing more time for seasonal deep-water oxygen depletion to occur.
Oxygen depletion in Lacamas Lake is also caused by the high levels of fertilizers and pollutants such as phosphorus, nitrogen, and ammonia in the lake. These pollutants come from the runoff from the surrounding farmlands and residential areas. The nutrients cause an abundance of algae, which clogs the surface of the lake, blocking out light and reducing oxygen generated by plant photosynthesis at lower depths. The algae and aquatic plants also sink to the bottom of the lake, where they decay and consume more oxygen, further depleting the oxygen levels in the deeper waters.
The oxygen depletion in Lacamas Lake has had ecological consequences, impacting the fish and other aquatic organisms that rely on the lake for habitat and resources. The lake cannot support life below about 18 feet (5.5 meters), and only a few fish species can survive in the lake, including brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, catfish, and sturgeon. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has tried to make the lake more fishable by planting brown and rainbow trout, but few survive year to year due to the low oxygen levels.
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Efforts to improve water quality
Efforts to improve the water quality of Lacamas Lake have been ongoing. The lake, located in Clark County, Washington, is a popular spot for fishing, swimming, and water skiing for the locals. However, it has been facing issues with pollution and algae blooms.
One of the main sources of pollution in Lacamas Lake is the Lacamas Shores biofilter, which is supposed to clean the stormwater from the Lacamas Shores subdivision. Unfortunately, it has been adding pollutants, especially phosphorus, to the lake instead. Local citizens and homeowners have been actively advocating for improved water quality and holding the responsible parties accountable.
In response to the water quality issues, the City of Camas has developed a draft Lakes Management Plan that outlines actions to improve water quality in Lacamas Lake, Fallen Leaf Lake, and Round Lake. The plan addresses algae blooms and other water quality concerns identified by the City Council and the public. The City has also been working with Clark County to determine where Cyanotoxin tests should be conducted and to develop strategies to address the issues.
To control the amount of phosphorus in the water, which contributes to harmful algal blooms, the City plans to chemically treat Lacamas Lake using products like EutroSORB WC and Aluminum Sulfate (Alumn). EutroSORB WC inactivates phosphorus without impacting water quality, health, or safety. On the other hand, Alumn binds with phosphorus, creating a flocculant that settles at the lake's bottom, making the phosphorus unavailable to algae.
Additionally, the City has worked with Clark County to close off the Cove area of Lacamas Lake, which has the most blooms, to the public. This restricted area will be marked with buoys, fencing, and warning signs to protect the health of those using the lake for recreation. The City also routinely monitors the lake for bacterial contaminants and harmful algal blooms, posting advisory signs when necessary.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Lacamas Lake is polluted. Phosphorus, nitrogen, ammonia, and other pollutants have collected in the lake water and lake bed from polluted streams that run into the lake.
The pollution in Lacamas Lake is caused by a combination of factors, including polluted streams, runoff from farm fields, barnyards, and subdivisions, and a faulty biofilter owned by the Lacamas Shores Homeowners Association (LSHOA).
The pollution has led to severe algae problems, reducing oxygen levels in the lake and limiting the number of fish species that can survive. The lake is classified as eutrophic, meaning it has high nutrient levels and low oxygen levels.
Efforts are being made to improve water quality and control the amount of phosphorus and algae in the lake. The City has developed a Lakes Management Plan and is considering chemical treatments, such as EutroSORB WC, to reduce phosphorus levels and improve water clarity.
