Central Arkansas Water begins hydrilla management steps at Lake Maumelle

The board of commissioners for Central Arkansas Water (CAW) just lately authorised a 10-year, $700 million infrastructure enchancment plan that may embrace upgrades to the Jack Wilson Water Remedy Plant, a brand new uncooked water line from Lake Maumelle to the Wilson Plant, and a deliberate reservoir administration program.

The reservoir administration program is described as “aggressive” to regulate plant and algae development and enhance the general ecological well being of Lake Maumelle for future generations. Lake Maumelle, positioned in northwestern Pulaski County about 20 miles from downtown Little Rock, is the first ingesting water supply for greater than 500,000 CAW prospects in eight counties. It was constructed within the Nineteen Fifties.

An invasive species referred to as Hydrilla has entered the lake. It grows from the lakebed as giant stalks that attain the floor of the water, as much as 30 toes tall. These beds of Hydrilla create giant mats of thick inexperienced vines on the floor that may however don’t at the moment home dangerous Cyanobacteria on the leaves. These algal blooms can wreak havoc on the ingesting water course of and, if left untreated, can doubtlessly hurt waterfowl that eat the leaves.

To fight the areas of Hydrilla development, CAW started a drawdown of the lake beginning close to the tip of October. This drawdown uncovered some patches of Hydrilla to the winter parts, hopefully aiding in its remediation. This can be a typical course of amongst lakes in Arkansas, with many scheduling drawdowns yearly.

The subsequent step within the course of would be the software of a low-concentration herbicide, Fluridone, a systemic herbicide used to handle underwater crops and generally used for Hydrilla management.This herbicide has been confirmed secure and efficient for Hydrilla elimination in quite a few ingesting water sources throughout the U.S.

This course of will start in mid-to-late April as soon as the water temperature is excessive sufficient for the Hydrilla to start rising once more. Throughout three completely different 4-5 day software processes, Lake Maumelle shall be closed to boats, however it is going to be open as typical between purposes.

CAW says prospects will see no change within the style or high quality of water coming into properties and companies, because the water will nonetheless undergo the traditional water therapy course of between when it was drawn from the lake and arrived on the faucet.