Page 1 - The Friday Flyer ● February 9, 2018

CANYON LAKE’S NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 9, 2018

POA approves funds for new Elsinore High School EVMWD to host Spring
wins 2018 Academic into Splash Water

community mailboxes Pg. A4 Decathlon Pg. A9 Festival Pg. A15

Lake to receive 8th alum treatment

BY DONNA RITCHIE phosphorus to form a non-toxic mineral particle called • Sunday, Feb. 11- Mobilize equipment/ boat inspec-
EDITOR, THE FRIDAY FLYER aluminum phosphate. This reaction is usually complete tion
Canyon Lake will receive its 8th alum treatment within a few hours and the resulting particles slowly • Monday, Feb. 12 - Applied to main body, 7:00 a.m.
Feb. 12 through Feb. 16. Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto settle to the bottom after just a day or two. to 4:00 p.m.
Watersheds Authority (LESJWA) will be applying dos- Initially, the aluminum phosphate particles form a • Tuesday, Feb. 13 - Applied to main body, 7:00 a.m.
es of alum to the lake in the main body, east bay and the thin layer only 1 to 2 mm thick. Eventually, the par- to 5:00 p.m.
area north of the causeway. ticles are incorporated back into the soil. • Wednesday, Feb. 14 - Applied to Holiday Harbor,
Aquatechnex biologists will be treating Canyon Water officials note that in 2004, 700,000 gallons 7:00 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Lake with aluminum sulfate to sequester and remove of liquid alum was applied to 1,550 acres of Big Bear • Thursday, Feb. 15 - Applied to east bay, 7:00 a.m.
phosphorus as part of the Total Maximum Daily Load Lake without any adverse effect to fish, aquatic organ- to 2:00 p.m.
(TMDL) Task Force. The plan is to mobilize equip- isms, birds or other wildlife. Afterward, Big Bear ob- • Thursday, Feb. 15/16 - Applied to area north of the
ment to Canyon Lake on Feb 11 and begin the alum served a 90 percent improvement in water clarity in the causeway, time pending (late afternoon).
treatment on Feb. 12. month following the alum application. Questions and Answers
Treatments will be applied to the main body of the According to LESJWA spokesperson Mark Norton,
lake on Feb. 12 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Feb. 13 from 7 alum has a proven track record of success and is safe Here are questions and answers supplied by LES-
a.m. to 5 p.m. and Feb. 14 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The to both humans and marine life. Drinking water quality JWA.
east bay will be treated on Feb. 15 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. will not be affected by any of the treatment options. Q:Why is water treatment being conducted in Can-
The area north of the causeway will be treated on Feb. The (TMDL) Task Force evaluated several options yon Lake?
15 and Feb. 16, time pending. during the CEQA process and determined that alum ap- A: Storm water runoff carries with it high levels of
The lake will remain open during the entire treat- plication provides the best option as a step to effective- nutrients including nitrogen and phosphorus that hurt
ment process. Recreational users will experience little ly treat the entire lake in a timely manner with minimal water quality and threaten marine life. In order to com-
disruption during treatment application and implemen- impact to residents. ply with water quality regulations enforced by the State
tation. The project is being funded by a state grant and by through the local Santa Ana Regional Water Quality
Alum, a naturally occurring mineral that is safe for the Lake Elsinore and Canyon lake TMDL Task Force, Control Board, the TMDL (Lake Elsinore and Canyon
humans and marine life, binds with phosphorus and which consists of cities, the County of Riverside, agri- Lake Nutrient Total Maximum Daily Load) Task Force
sinks to the bottom of the lake, becoming part of the culture and dairy coalitions and other organizations in is going to be using a state-funded grant to begin alum
lake sediment. Because phosphorus is a critical ele- the San Jacinto River watershed. water treatment in Canyon Lake.
ment needed for algae to bloom, alum generally helps Implementation of the alum project is being coordi- Q: What is being used to treat the water in Canyon
reduce algae production. nated by the City of Canyon Lake, the Elsinore Valley Lake?
According to Lake Elsinore and San Jacinto Water- Municipal Water District, LESJWA, the TMDL Task A: The TMDL Task Force evaluated several options
shed Authority (LESJWA), there have been no report- Force and the Canyon Lake POA. during the CEQA process and determined that alum
ed incidents of fish kills or other evidence of aquatic Alum Schedule (Subject to Change): application provided the best option as a first step to
toxicity as a result of these lake restoration activities. effectively treat the entire lake in a timely manner with
When applied in lakes, alum rapidly binds with • Thursday, Feb. 8 - Pre-alum dosing monitoring uuCONTINUED PAGE A10