Scoop #2

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Question 002

What is the story about algae in the lagoons?

Answer 002

The biggest problem we are having is in the large lagoon in block 23 [northwest corner of Sun City Blvd and Hampton Cir (south)]. Over the past 6 weeks we have been trying to eradicate this weed (known as Southern Pond Weed). It is new to this area...usually found in Florida. We believe that the seed for this weed is transported in with the aquatic plantings that are planted on the edge of the lagoon. The seed lays dormant on the bottom of the lagoon and waits for ideal situations to germinate. The ideal situation is what we experienced this spring with the drought and low water levels, i.e., clear, shallow water and high water temperatures. We're not sure why we have not seen the weed manifest in other lagoons, but we're not complaining. Estate Management, the contractor that treats our lagoons, has been steady in their spray applications to kill this weed but it has to be done in small amounts in order to not kill fish and other wildlife. They assure me that we should see the condition disappear over the next couple of weeks.

As for adding [Grass] Carp (algae eating fish) to these lagoons, we all agree that they will help, but we need to wait for the fall/winter timeframe to get the best price for the fish and the best conditions for the fish to survive.

-- material supplied by Steve O'Donnell, 2002/07/15