The Friday Flyer • September 22, 2017

CANYON LAKE’S NEWSPAPER • SEPTEMBER 22, 2017
Rick Derringer set to perform at lodge November 4 Pg. A4
Lemonade Stand Fundraiser planned for Sunday Pg. A9
Young anglers compete in Kids Fishing Derby Pg. A15
Alum treatments begin Monday
BY DONNA RITCHIE
EDITOR,THEFRIDAYFLYER
Aquatechnex biologists will be treating Canyon Lake with aluminum sulfate next week to sequester
and remove phosphorus as part
of the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Task Force. This will be Canyon Lake’s seventh alum treatment.
The plan is to mobilize equipment to Canyon Lake on Sunday and begin the alum treatment on
Monday. Treatments will be applied to the main part of the
lake Monday through Wednesday and
entire treatment process. Recreational users will experience little disruption during treatment application and implementation.
Alum, a naturally occurring mineral that is safe for humans and marine life, binds with phosphorus and sinks to the bottom of the lake, becoming part of the lake sediment. Because phosphorus is a critical element needed for algae to bloom, alum generally helps reduce
algae production.
According to Lake Elsinore and
S a n
When applied in lakes, alum rapidly binds with phosphorus to form a non-
toxic mineral particle called aluminum phosphate. This reaction is usually complete within a few hours and the resulting particles slowly settle to the bottom after just a day or two.
Initially, the aluminum phosphate particles form a thin layer only 1 to 2 mm thick. Eventually, the particles are incorporated back into the soil.
Water officials note that in 2004, 700,000 gallons of liquid alum was applied to 1,550 acres of Big Bear Lake without any adverse effect to fish, aquatic organisms, birds or other wildlife. Afterward, Big Bear observed a 90 percent improvement in water clarity in the month following the alum application.
According to LESJWA spokesperson Mark Norton, alum has a proven track record of success and is safe to both humans and marine life. Drinking water quality will not be affected by any of the treatment options.
The (TMDL) Task Force evaluated several options during the CEQA process
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on the East Bay area on Thursday. will be demobilized
and north ski Equipment
on Friday.
T h e
lake will remain o p e n during the
Canyon Lake will receive its seventh alum application next week. The plan is to mobilize equipment to Canyon Lake on Sunday and begin the alum application on Monday. Residents can follow the alum application progress at www.canyonlakealum.wordpress.com.
Jacinto Watershed Authority (LESJWA), there have been no reported incidents of fish kills or other evidence of aquatic toxicity as a result of these activities, lake restoration
PHOTO BY PAT VAN DYKE
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