I took our first 2010 water samples Friday, April 16, at 11 am.  Here are the “preliminary” results:
#1        Dock                        6 cfu
#2        Cedar Fork Creek   below 4 cfu
#3        Booker Creek         14 cfu

Caution level is individual reading above 400 cfu, or average above 200 cfu. 
 
These readings are at the low end of the “safe” range. As usual, I will not revise this posting unless the “official” results turn out to be something different.

Lake water temp: 20-21C,    68-60F

The SECCI clarity reading was 38 inches. That is very clear for our lake.
 
The water was very cool as I went to take the tests.  I met a neighbor coming out,  and her preschooler had just been in the water.  It can warm up quickly near the shore on a sunny day.  That is why I decided to take a pre-season test this early in the year.
 
It looks like the geese have discovered the new dock.  Our fecal coliform counts followed the distribution of geese in the lake at the time of the test, with the highest count being near where I observed the most geese and ducks.  On the other hand,  the lowest count was near an area where there was a concern about an accumulation of goose waste in an almost blocked tributary last week. If we get a significant rain and this get flushed into the lake, I would recommend staying near the beach if you go in the water.   The dam is the most downstream point in the lake, and anything that enters the lake will be at its most dilute (lowest concentration), by the time it reaches that area.
 
Regarding “flushing” the accumulations of waste from the tributaries if we don’t get rain, OWASA has to test and purge the hydrant lines on a regular basis.  Perhaps we could ask if they could adjust their testing schedule to provide a secondary benefit?
 
Chuck Henage
chenagemht@aol.com

Please join us for a Lake Forest Association May Day Celebration

Saturday, May 1st from 4-6 pm

It’s our annual Spring Social -

Greet old friends and meet new neighbors at the
new, improved Lake Forest Park!

Potluck dinner beginning at 5 pm
Please bring a favorite dish to share, blankets and chairs
We’ll provide dinnerware and beverages
(Due to limited parking, please Keep It Green by
carpooling, walking, biking or boating if you can)

And, check back to this space for updates on activities and entertainment

WELCOME, SPRINGTIME !!

To the Lake Forest Community,
We have a treat for you right in your own backyard. The Chapel Hill Spring Garden Tour is featuring “The Woodland Gardens of Lake Forest.” We hope you will be able to join us and enjoy the special gardens in your neighborhood. The tour takes place on:

Saturday, April 17, 2010 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Sunday, April 18, 2010 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

The proceeds from the tour benefit the NC Botanical Garden and educational and community service projects of Chapel Hill Garden Club.

Because this is a driving tour there will be guests parking on streets and walking to the gardens in your area. Hopefully this will not be an inconvenience and we thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Our web site is chapelhillgardentour.net and we invite you to visit this site for descriptions of the gardens and ticket outlets. Local outlets include the NC Botanical Garden, Dickinson’s Nursery, Purple Puddle and the Wild Bird Center to name a few. The ticket cost is $15.00 before the tour and $20.00 the day of the tour.

Sincerely,
Sue Tiedeman
Questions?? 933-4464 stiedeman@nc.rr.com