Friday, April 28, 2006

DEP Is Trying

Regarding the contact with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in hopes of them treating some of they hydrilla, I had to get Tampa Stormwater Dept. in communication with DEP to confirm we outflow to the River. Both organizations are quite helpful and I got this from Stormwater:

I as well as our construction crew did meet with your wife last week. The grate that we will be installing will have a max of 1 1/2 inches between each bar. I will sketch a drawing and send it to you soon. The outfall from Lake Roberta flows to the south to Henry and discharges directly into the Hillsborough River at Rio Vista. Actually the [my pizza hunting] dog probably couldn't get past the wall inside the outfall structure but since he is crafty maybe so.

I am going to say it will be approx. the end of May or start of June before the grate will be installed. The lake is pretty low at this time and I would definitely recommend waiting at least till the rain starts (hopefully soon as my yard needs it badly).

I will keep you informed. Thanks.

That also went to DEP and I got this response shortly thereafter from DEP:

In 2 weeks, there is a funding meeting then and that would be time to discuss new work, the program works on a budget fixed from July 1 to June 30, new areas to be funded has to come from other lakes that are already funded if within the same fiscal year. I will let you know ASAP.

So ……… keep your fingers crossed. We might get some help!

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

M&M's

These are happy ducks that probably should migrate, but sometimes stick around due to the kindness of strangers. (i.e., bread handouts). The Dad's have the green heads and the Mom's are the pretty brown color.






Mallards are kind of easy to confuse with the their cousin which only lives in Florida, primarily in the Panhandle area called the Florida Mottled Duck (Okay a few renegades have cruised the edge of the Gulf to Mexico. Probably crossed the border looking for a good time and tequilla shots). You can read about the Mottled quacker by clicking here .

I think you can tell the Mallards apart from the Mottled Ducks generally by the two white stripes crossing the upper part of their wings. The Mallards have white NASCAR style racing stripes. The Mottled's just have nice brown feather patterns. Not all is perfect for the Mottled quackers. The Mottled Duck, like its close relative the American Black Duck, has been negatively impacted by the loss of wetlands and hybridization with introduced populations of Mallard. That means people let Mallards go and they breed with the Mottleds creating .... well duck problems.

Monday, April 24, 2006

Love Hate Relationships Part Two

Considered to be a pest along with rock doves, European starlings, house sparrows, and monk parakeets many people are quite fond of the Muscovy ducks.Opps - The Muscovy is NOT a duck! It is a unique ducklike species of tree-perching waterfowl. It originated in the South American rainforest where its wild ancestors still reside. For lack of a better classification, it is generally referred to as a duck, although it is as genetically different from ducks as donkeys are to horses. In fact, as with donkeys and horses, when you breed Muscovy to domestic, mallard-derived ducks, their offspring are always sterile and are referred to as “mules.”These quackers are non-native dabblers common in suburban ponds and lakes. Dabbling Ducks float on shallow water and then pivot headfirst with tails skyward to feed underwater. They inhabit fresh and brackish ponds, marshes, and streams. Gadwalls are more common in central and north Florida and during fall and winter. They are more likely to dive while foraging and feed farther from water than most dabblers. Muscovy Ducks are native to Central and South America. The population in Florida is thought to be the result of released and escaped domestic ducks that have hybridized with native ducks. They are the most common waterfowl found in suburban areas. They usually nest on the ground but may nest on balconies and ledges. In contrast, wild Muscovies are wary of humans and nest in tree cavities. Muscovy Ducks are loved and hated by the public. While always eager for a hand-out, they often become persistent. They can transmit parasites and diseases, including duck plague, fowl cholera, paratyphoid, avian tuberculosis, and chlamydiosis, to native ducks and, in large numbers, foul small ponds. [http://www.nsis.org/gallery/brd-muscovy.html]

According to Bob Pedrin of Ridgefield, Washington, “Muscovy are the only domestic ducks that do not come from Mallard stock. They are a South American species, originating from Brazil. The original (wild type) coloration is black and white, but domestication has produced many more colors. These colors include; blue, blue and white, chocolate, chocolate and white, white, black, black and white, lavender, and calical. Day old duckling colors range from a solid pale yellow to yellow and black, the feet are yellow and black. Muscovy hiss rather than quack. The males can grow to be quite large, weighing 10-15 lbs. Most of the females are 5-7 pounds but can reach up to 9 and sometimes 10 lbs. Their feet have strong sharp claws and are built to grasp, so that they can perch on branches. Muscovy are unique because of their bright red crest around their eyes and above the beak. Although, often considered ugly because of these large red warty caruncles. They are, however, very personable, interesting birds. They are quite intelligent and entertaining.Unlike most domestic waterfowl, Muscovy will often fly up and roost. They are very good flyers, especially the smaller females, but are known more for flying around than flying away. We have a hen that tours the neighborhood. Never landing anywhere but home. They do not swim much because their oil glands are under developed compared to most ducks. Muscovy hens can set three times a year, and the egg clutches can vary from 8 to 21 eggs. The eggs are incubated for 35 days.

Muscovy when crossed with other breeds, produce sterile offspring. For instance, if you cross a Muscovy male with a Pekin female (the large white domestic duck like Donald the Duck type pictured) you will hatch mules; if you cross a Pekin male with a Muscovy female the progeny are called hinnies. Whereas a Pekin takes 28 days to hatch and a Muscovy takes 35 days, a mule or hinny takes 32 days to hatch. Approximately 60% of mule ducks are males. Some of their characteristics are like the Muscovy as they are large, quiet, slow moving and have long claws but are also like Pekin as they swim well, the males and females are much the same size and they do not fly. Hinnies are not grown commercially. Male hinnies are much larger than female hinnies, like the Muscovy, yet the females look Pekin but fly quite well. Mules and hinnies cannot reproduce. Both males are sterile and only the hinny females lay eggs (though they cannot hatch). If you have Muscovy and Pekin together, the chances are poor that they will cross but if they do, a hinny will probably be the result as Pekin males can catch Muscovy females easier than Muscovy males can catch Pekin females. By the age of about three months, the males are nearly twice as large as the females. I don't know if this is always the case. But, I've found that in younger Muscovies, the feet of the males are often larger. It is quiet, a good forager and is naturally broody. Muscovy are good mothers and hatch and brood their ducklings efficiently.”

Many people consider the Muscovy to be the best duck for …… yup, eating. Originating in the warm climates of South America, the Muscovy duck is a breed apart from the rest. It needs no fat for protection against cold weather and therefore is by far the leanest domesticated duck breed. Long the favorite of Europeans, Muscovy is now becoming the duck of choice here in the United States. Muscovy duck has a unique taste: it is lean, meaty, tender and flavorful. A 4 lb. Muscovy has the highest yield of any duck available and 50 percent more breast meat than other ducks. Muscovy breast meat is 99 percent lean and the skin of our duck has 50% less fat than the Moulard or Pekin varieties! Did you know that Muscovy ducks have less fat and less calories per pound than turkey?

Tastes like chicken you say? I dunno myself.

The Muscovy duck (Carina moschata) is one of the most loved exotic pest in South Florida. People like them as pets, thus both children and adult feed them a lot. This friendly environment has contributed to the excessive increase in duck population. When there are too many ducks, the nutrient level in the lakes increases dramatically. This can cause excessive algae growth, as well as cattail growth, which in turn hampers the growth of other important native organisms such as duck-potatoes, alligator-flags, and many others. Furthermore, the Muscovy also competes with other birds, such as Coots and Moorhens, which are much more environmental friendly species (i.e. their excrement contains less nutrients and therefore causes less disturbance in the ecosystem).

Florida International University who continues to work to restore the Everglades area says, “If you are environmental friendly, then DO NOT FEED THE [Muscovy] DUCKS!!The wild Muscovy Duck is native to Central and South America (Hilty and Brown 1986). The feral form found in Florida is a heavier-bodied, domesticated duck. They have lived and flourished in Florida for many years, in close association with humans. The Atlas map shows them to be widespread and abundant in cities and towns, but none have been found living and breeding in a truly free, nonhuman-dependent state. Check out any updated information available at FWC's exotic species web site. In many places, these large, ungainly birds are considered pests due to aggressive panhandling and because they defecate in swimming pools and on patios and docks. They feed on aquatic plants, grasses, seeds, insects (Johnsgard 1978), and on human handouts, such as bread.Per Charles L. Geanangel, “The Muscovy Duck breeds in urban and suburban lakes and on farms throughout the state. Click for more info. Apparently, no pair bond is established, at least among domesticated Muscovy Ducks. Matings are promiscuous and a form of rape, where the male overpowers the female. They nest in tree cavities or on the ground. In suburban and urban areas, they nest under shrubs in yards or on condominium balconies. Clutch size is usually 8 to 15 eggs. The incubation period is about 30 to 35 days (Johnsgard 1975a, 1978).

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shares the flowing information: Muscovy ducks are a non-native duck that may be a nuisance by reducing water quality, or digging nesting burrows in shrubbery. The Commission does not come and remove these. The best approach to them is to stop feeding them. Flock size may partially controlled by removing some eggs from the nest, shaking them vigorously, and then returning them to the nest. Relocating and releasing non-native species like the muscovy is illegal. From the Wildlife Resources Handbook a fact sheet, is available, as well as a urban duck guide. Laws Protect Domestic and Non-domestic AnimalsLaws have been enacted to safeguard our native wildlife heritage from problems caused by domestic animals. Florida Statute 372.265 prohibits the release of animals into the wild that are not native to Florida. The purpose of this statute is to protect Florida's native wildlife from disease, destruction, and competition by the release of non-native animals.Strictly interpreted, this statute requires all domestic animals to be kept in some type of confinement where they cannot wander from the owner's immediate property into wild habitats or public waters. Local laws may prohibit keeping barnyard animals and may require removal if improperly confined or if causing damage or nuisance complaints. Handling domestic duck problems also must follow certain laws. Non-native, non-migratory ducks such as Muscovies are not protected under the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. However, all animals--including pets and barnyard animals must be treated in a humane manner (FS 828.12).

Methods of Control

  1. Ceasing all feeding programs.
  2. Repelling birds from the problem area by barking dogs, frequent loud noises, chasing and other harassment methods.
  3. Locate nests, vigorously shake eggs to render them unhatchable then return the shaken eggs to the nest so that the hen will continue to attempt to incubate them instead of re-nesting.
  4. Removing viable eggs from nests and replacing with plastic eggs used by the poultry industry to induce laying by young hens. The Muscovy hen may continue to sit on the plastic eggs and consequently will not produce any young.
  5. Removing all except one or two viable eggs. This will keep the hen occupied with incubating, and hatching these instead of re-nesting and laying another full complement of eggs.
  6. Humane lethal techniques should be used only as a last resort. Intravenous injection with pentobarbital sodium is a fast-acting, highly effective, and humane lethal technique recommended for small animals by the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia. This drug may be administered by a veterinarian. Local laws may prohibit specific methods or the killing of any birds.

Relocating and releasing non-native species into the wild is a violation of FS 372.265 and Florida Administrative Code 39-4.005. These control techniques are legal ONLY for Muscovy ducks and MAY NOT be used for mallards or other native species.

All said, they are not really the best thing to have around the lake as they tend to prevent other natural species from having a better chance at thriving. A couple are no big deal, too many and they get sick and it gets ugly.

But, if you DO like ducks, here’s a great site for some duck stories.

Welcome to the pond. We tried to count them but they cluster and are fast little critters. Looks like about 15 of them hatched this past weekend. Two are black and the rest are yellow. We got over there and tried to give the babies some nutritional feed before they get hooked on the bread diet. Generally the feed scares them but this crew did manage to eat a bit of it. They are so tiny! You can see the bread chucks we used to try to lure Mom into bringing the hatchlings to the good food. Well, good as in healthy, I guess to them bread is the good food.

Guess we got to watch Mom pulling guard duty. She's a little more aggressive than the Mom Mallard, but both of them get the job done and watch over the little ones. I think she was screaming something like, "Buzz off Henny!"

Sunday, April 23, 2006

Love Hate Relationships Part One

Spatterdock, also known as cow lilies is the other predominant plant in the lake. According to our friends in Texas, “Spatterdock is a perennial plant with leaves that arise from a large spongy rhizome. The leaves have a slit that makes them roughly heart-shaped, 8 to 16 inches long by 10 inches wide, and can float on the surface or stand above the surface on thick round (in cross section) stalks. Flowers are spiracle with 6 to 9 green sepals and yellow petals. Flowers can float on the water or stand above it. Fruits are oval with a flat top and greenish or yellowish in color. Spatterdock can spread from seeds or the rhizomes. Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks, etc). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria and fungi provides food (called "detritus") for many aquatic invertebrates. Spatterdock is grazed by deer while the rhizomes are consumed by beavers, muskrats, and nutria. Seeds are consumed by ducks and other waterfowl.”While this isn’t considered invasive, it’s a very aggressive plant that many consider to be a nuisance. Since it’s a Florida native it belongs, but it requires management to prevent it from totally taking over the lake. Spatterdock in moderation is good, as it allows room for other plants that provide other benefits to the lake. It really can’t be easily stopped so the best one can hope for is some control via periodic spraying, cutting when dry or manual harvest. Water levels and dredging would have an effect as well.

I guess next I’m going to try to locate some beavers, deer and muskrats to help control the spatterdock. I heard somebody used to bring reindeer to the lake at Christmas; maybe we could help fatten them up with our cow lily crop.

Saturday, April 22, 2006

Who Needs Hydrilla


Just in case you don't know what hydrilla really is here's a link. It's basically seaweed you can buy in the pet store gone wild. This stuff is not good for our lake. While there are beautiful aquatic plants we might choose to cultivate to attract wildlife or for blooms, etc, hydrilla has no redeming value for us (other than feeding manatees I suppose). Click here for more
info:.

The following [definition] is from the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council, "Exotic plants are introduced accidentally through shipping materials or deliberately for ornamental or commercial purposes. Invasive exotics or exotic pest plants don't have the natural enemies here that controlled their growth in their home range. This can free them to spread easily into our native plant communities. Not all exotic plants become pest plants in Florida's natural areas, but those that do can cause a reduction in biodiversity, loss of habitat and food sources for native insects, birds, and other wildlife, and changes to natural ecological systems." To read about Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council click
here..

Hydrilla is listed as a noxious weed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and has spread to north, central and southern Florida. It's listed as a category 1 invader. Category I means, "Invasive exotics that are altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives. This definition does not rely on the economic severity or geographic range of the problem, but on the documented ecological damage caused."

If you want more links about invasive species in Florida, including plants, wildlife and insects you can peek at this University of Florida link
here.

Friday, April 21, 2006

Jack And Hammer Arrive


City of Tampa
Storm Gang to the rescue. A group came out and looked at the inflow rip rap problems, the outflow fireplace thing and provided us with a nice engineer that is going to make a grate. Shortly after the gang left these guys showed up and began to deal with the base, or lack thereof of the overflow. Go Tampa Stormwater JackHammer Team. I try to not often name names, but Steve Seacrest and his folks, to me, have been great to deal with. Hope to have this area shaped up and grated within a month or two.


Well after a couple of hours they made some nice rubble that might wind up as rip rap on the inflow side. Not sure what the base will wind up looking like, but it"s always nice to see progress.

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

The Truth Comes Out

I sent out:
Swiftmud says they have no jurisdiction over hydrilla in our lake. In fact we don’t really have a lake! Anyway ….. The State of Florida only treats on the taxpayers’ budget hydrilla (by Senate mandate) in public waters where there is a boat ramp. Appears our Lake is technically owned by the Port Authority (near as I can tell) and they don’t do much of anything. I’ve been trying to leverage that our lake overflows into the Hills river but nobody seems to care. Sounds like DEP might be the best resource as to how to deal with [hydrilla]. I am told they should be willing to come out and help us develop a plan. You might already have all that? Do you know them and if so, can they do anything to help us with funding or treatment for a portion of the hydrilla?

And then I learned this:
The Lake is owned by the city's Stormwater Department (although they could not find record of when it switched from a residential trust to them). It is part of their stormwater system and is catalogued as a retention pond. The water from the lake does flow into the Hillsborough River but DEP and the State would view it as part of the City of Tampa's stormwater system. I know what their view will be: why treat something we're going to dig up in a year. Perhaps if they thought of it as an experiment for a future run or for other similar lakes? Is there a danger to the fish if we release them without treatment or is it that the effect won't be as good?

(My answer was they should survive even with heavy weeds as long as they get enough oxygen)

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

It's From Siberia


Ever wonder what the black bird with the red beak is? Moorhens are medium-sized water birds which are members of the rail family Rallidae. They constitute the genus Gallinula. I think they are nesting in the spatterdock. They are fun to watch as they drag sticks and twigs, etc. back into the weeds. If I am right, there are a lot of nests out there right now. The Common Moorhen feeds in reeds and along the edges of marshes. It pecks like a chicken or swims and dives like a duck in search of food. Often, it is seen walking on top of marsh plants searching for seeds, grasses, small snails, and insects. It is often heard making loud chicken-like sounds while feeding. These rails are all brown and black with some white markings in plumage, and, unlike many of the rails, they are usually easy to see, feeding in open water margins rather than skulking in reedbeds. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers, although nevertheless capable of covering long distances; the Common Moorhen in particular migrates up to 2,000 km from some of its breeding areas in the colder parts of Siberia. Those that migrate do so at night. Moorhens can walk very well on strong legs, and have long toes that are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. These birds are omnivorous, taking plant material, small animals and eggs.

They are aggressively territorial during the breeding season, but are otherwise often found in sizeable flocks on the shallow vegetated lakes they prefer. Typically a medium-sized, ground-dwelling bird found near water. From a distance it looks black with a ragged white line along its body. Up close it is olive-brown on the back and the head and underneath are blue-grey. It has a red bill with a yellow tip. It breeds in the UK in lowland areas, especially in central and eastern England. It is scarce in northern Scotland and the uplands of Wales and northern England. UK breeding birds are residents and seldom travel far. It also breeds in Hampton Terrace!

They are pretty fun to watch and hear squabbling in the lake. Guess they all have to fight over the one perfect cow lily which produces the perfect nest.

Monday, April 17, 2006

Softshell Not Crab

Saw this big boy sunning on the curb. The man says, "This aquatic freshwater turtle which likes lakes and slow moving rivers hunts crayfish, fish, frogs, tadpoles, some vegetation and usually lies in ambush for prey under the mud or sand on bottoms of quiet shallow water, extending tubular nostrils to surface periodically to breathe. A strong swimmer able to pursue and catch fish. Adults shells get darker with age and frequently lose any patterns, soft lips with very strong jaws and a bite that can rival that of snapping turtle. Long necks enable it to reach almost to back of shell to protect itself. They can run on land with surprising speed and agility."


Yup, he can run!

Sunday, April 16, 2006

Critter Update

Amazingly all 12 baby quackers are still flappin their little flippers. A bread diet sure fattens up little ducks. Mrs. Mallard is a very protective mother and Mr. Mallard hangs around a lot showing off his colorful coat. They really are great duck parents so far, at least for this crop. If you like NASCAR you should see the two of them flying laps around the lake. Not sure why they do it, but they haul ass (do ducks have that anotomical attachment?) in unison flight for 5 or so laps. Guess she's working out to keep that hourglass (or is it a squash?) figure. Anyway, the babies are growing and looking great with there brown fuzz. We bought some chick feed for them, but it seems to be scary compared to floating bread or crackers. Too bad we can't get them hooked on the healthy feed. Guess it looks too much like Grape Nuts. Can't say I blame them when folks toss bread and bagels.

Did I mention Rodney? I guess after a neighbor turned a dog or dog(s) loose, so the story goes, this little fellow became a dog toy. Fortunately, he escaped and after going tailless for a winter his plumage is returning in fine rooster form. I think he is extracting revenge by trying to wake the guilty early every morning. Anyway, we call him Rodney. He also goes by Chicky and I hear he likes turkey baloney. Guess he's sort of a solar alarm clock. I've heard a few other names for him mostly associated with the alarm function.

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Grate News

Sent this to a few interested folks:

Stormwater called me today and said they are sending somebody out to survey the lakes overflow discharge and they will design, fabricate and install the grate. He said we should see it in 3-4 weeks. He reminded me that we will need to keep an eye on it during heavy rains to be sure it doesn’t plug up. We could flood. He again expressed interest in our carp experiment.

I think installing the grate is the only barrier I am aware of prior to introducing the carp, assuming that we don’t want to apply herbicide to kill off some of the lilies.

I don’t think the lilies will hurt the fish; it will just take longer to get a visible effect.

I guess the trick is to get enough fish to control some of the hydrilla and some of the lilies, but not remove all the vegetation. Too many fish and they eat everything and start to die, not enough and they make no progress on weed control. We probably won’t ever spend enough money to buy too many fish.

Hopefully, we are close enough to the rainy season the lake stays wet. Hate for the fish and the gator to share the same last few cubic feet of water. I think the gator would wind up with a fat belly.

I will contact Swiftmud and talk to them about treating the hydrilla. They may send me elsewhere; it’s a state program I think. Treating hydrilla, I believe, has the side effect of treating some of the lilies.

We will probably need a couple hundred bucks to buy the carp; I’ll get a quote.

So, while the herbicide applied to about 60% of the current vegetation is suggested, it’s not mandatory. If we want or need to do that, we need to get on the ball and get a permit from EPC (I think). Also we need about 1-2 grand for the chemicals and some type of spray rig to apply unless the state handles the hydrilla for us.

The Lowry Park ladies harvested a second batch this week of hydrilla. Even if we do treat it, don’t worry – it will come back and we will be able to make more for the manatees!

Monday, April 10, 2006

Where's The Water Come From

The lake is technically a retention pond for run-off that originates along Clifton, Idlewild, Roberta and a few other streets as well, plus about a mile long stretch of Nebraska. Fortunately, nothing too gross seems to come off of Nebraska anymore thanks to the installation of a cylone system. This separates solid stuff... wood, most trash, bodies, car parts, etc from the flow of water arriving to float our ducks. About 10 years ago the City installed concrete ramps to minimize bank erosion associated with water flows which can really get going during a good storm. Recently the separator came online and began functioning. It is now the main discharge for flow from Nebraska into the lake. It's been turned over to Tampa Stormwater now and everyone has high hopes this thing does a great job. We might actually be getting a second one on the East side of the lake in the future. Erosion and/or water flow pertaining to residential lots is a problem Stormwater seems to be dealing with now.

Given the velocity of the water flow from Nebraska during heavy storms the City installed a barrier known as Rip Rap. This is often used with varying results to control erosion associated with water for river banks, beaches and stormwater pipes. Unfortunately, as you can see the last heavy storm blasted our rip rap apart. Basically the plan is you put down some cloth and cover it with rocks. The trick is getting the amount and size of the rocks correct. We are going to need a bit of an adjustment to our rock collection before the rains get too heavy or this is going to be demolished. You can read about rip rap and beavers here.

Once the lake fills to full the excess goes out the overflow into the Hillsborough River. Hopefully that is, otherwise we could flood. This is the outflow in the SW corner of the lake. It's pretty old
and in rough shape. This is where the grate needs to be installed to keep the alien mutant carp possessed in the lake. We don't want them to escape because even though they cannot reproduce, they might scare people by trying to mow their lawns for them when they get hungry. This actually looks more like a fireplace than a stormwater overflow to me, but what do I know. This advice is worth what you paid for it.

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Bit O History

Heard this:
[Somebody's] grandfather had built some of the first houses in Seminole Heights. He said his grandfather told him about some of the cattle drives and that even in the 20s there were a few. The lake, he said, was dug out by the Lykes probably where a spring already existed. They used it to "fatten" up the cattle by allowing them to drink water before the last two miles before the port where they would be weighed and transported to Cuba.

And then I learned:
The plant life [in our lake] typically provides oxygen to the water. Decaying plant and other humic material (like leaves) typically absorb oxygen. From the sampling we've sent in, we were told that the lake is eutrophic, which means there are lots of nutrients. Removing the plant life is the perfect solution as it allows new plants to grow and remove more nutrients. That plant life doesn't fall to the bottom to decay. Carp are pretty hardy fish. The heat and high nutrient levels might hurt other fish.

As far as funding, the neighborhood association has funded things in the past. This is an important issue all over Seminole Heights as many residents used to play here as children. The Christmas lights and the Christmas concert are some of our biggest events. However, I'd like to get as much matching funding and grants as possible. Martin Montalvo sits on the Florida Lake Management Society board and says there are Love Your Lake grants available and that if we had a plan, we could apply for funding. It's at
grants. [Names removed] , who are building next to your old house, have helped with construction before. They laid the footers for the lake entry sign. So we could have monetary and community help.

I also have access to a company who can make a grate for us out of stainless steel. So with that value, money from the association, contributions in labor (and money) from the neighbors, we should be able to cover it.

And then I asked if drought kills the floating plants or hydrilla:
The lilies live off a rhizome root system. If that dries up, they die. They can only grow in 6 feet or less depth. When the rains come, they'll be covered up and they'll die. The root system remains alive. The lily, known as cow lily or spatterdock, is native to Florida. The parks department did a spraying last time and they may do it again if asked. However, the spraying of the lilies caused an uproar last time. I don't think people would mind a controlled kill but we'd have to inform people of the reason. The lilies do provide cover for fish and keep the water temps lower. By making the lake deeper, we're hoping that will control vegetation as well.

So we now know some people hate lillies and some love them. Isn't America great? The trick seems to be balancing the plant, bird, and waterlife. Except the hydrilla. Death to hydilla!

Friday, April 07, 2006

Others Help Too

The more I learn the better I like this place. Many people have been working on various projects and tasks to help the lake and general community. I now have heard about the "Save Lake Roberta" group and received this info from a neighbor:

The committee is working on formalizing the workshop results into a mission statement for the committee and a plan for the lake. The workshop was well attended. We had a biologist from the Parks department talk to us about the ecology of the lake. Stormwater explained how the ownership works and what their goals are. Below the surface it is the domain of Stormwater, above to the curb is Parks. Heard about the positive history of the lake. There used to be a yearly father/son fishing tournament in the 50s. The Christmas float goes back to the 50s. We now have a Children's Halloween Parade and a Christmas Concert. OSHNA funds the latter and also funded the restoration of the entry sign on Clifton and Nebraska.

Also I learned about this
Hampton Terrace website.

I sent this to a few interested folks :
We need a barrier grate, trying to get Stormwater to build us one; if they won't do we have any funds to buy one? Is there any money to buy the fish?

Per DEP Bureau of Aquatic Plant Mgmt in Tampa, the recommended process is to herbicide 60% of the lake then introduce fish. That might cost between 800 and 2,000 bucks basis lake size. I’m not clear how big the lake really is. I’m guessing we don’t have those funds, so we will just take a slower route and try the fish alone. There is a possibility too many weeds can deplete the oxygen in the water, hurting the fish. Also, to apply herbicide probably requires a permit from EPC and they aren’t the easiest folks to deal with, so far at least. Every other organization has been quite helpful.

This is going to sound corny, but maybe we could let people name a fish for 25 bucks (or something like that) and get a little money to buy the grass munchers. Kind of a little marketing game. Maybe stick a tiny little plaque up in the entrance. A project with fish names and sponsors.

I’m also thinking about throwing a few minnows in there (if I can’t find already there) to eat mosquito and tadpoles. What do you think about that? [I've since learned there are some little minnows that will help control tadpoles. I guess the last frog uprising might have been after a drought that killed most of the fish]

Thursday, April 06, 2006

Permit Tion

Got this today after I prepared the carp permit for the second time. Appears the fine State of Florida's computer system lost my prior application. Hope after IRS finishes taxes they lose my filing.

Mr BungleLows,

I got your application. As determined by our discussions, a barrier(s) will need to be installed to keep the fish in the system. Attached is a barrier form (word document). Let me know if you have any problems receiving or opening the file (I can send another way if so). Please read over, sign and return this form to our office once the required barrier is installed. Feel free to call me if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Habitat and Species Conservation Section

FWC shared this info with me too:
Barrier Permits
Construction of barriers, especially those that are not maintained, may result in problems with flooding. In order to reduce the potential for flooding, please contact the agency charged (or your county if that agency is unknown) with water flow management in the site prior to installing barriers. They will be able to provide input as to acceptable barrier design criteria that will meet both your needs and theirs.

Barriers Required
If barriers are required, please sign and return the enclosed form once the barriers are installed. Some counties require approval of their storm water/ drainage department to ensure that flooding will not result from poorly constructed or maintained barriers. The enclosed form will include the county contact (if known). It is in the best interest of all parties if the agency responsible for drainage is aware of the proposed barrier installation. This will help prevent flooding problems, and ensure approval if the barrier is to be installed on public property. After inspecting the barriers to determine acceptability, we will notify you as to their approval. Once barriers are approved, your permit will be issued and you can stock triploid grass carp.

Barriers Recommended
If barriers are recommended but not required, we are not concerned with impact to other waters from fish escaping. We are suggesting that fish be prevented from migrating out of the site and possibly becoming stranded. Since grass carp are an investment, it makes sense to prevent them from escaping. We would not be required to approve barriers in this instance, but will assist you in any way possible to ensure fish containment.

Barrier Construction
Barriers should be constructed to allow a width of no more than 1½ inches in their narrowest dimension. It is not always advisable to affix barriers directly to openings in a culvert or weir, as they can restrict water movement. Where necessary to maximize flow potential, they should be installed in front of, but away from such openings. Barriers should extend to a height above the normal high water line. It is preferable to utilize a two-or-three-sided framework design (V- or box-shaped) as opposed to a single-faced configuration.

It is advisable to use a series of parallel rods or bars, instead of a grid or mesh design. These can be oriented either vertically or horizontally, and maintained by raking away debris as necessary.

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Secret Handshake Secret Spy Ring

I think BunglesLow and Wifealow went to the “secret lake people meeting”. Hope were not branded for life with a scarlet LRLP on our heads. There was discussion about a few things and some good cookies. The bottom line, as I perceived it, goes like this (and I freely admit I am new here and not entirely in the loop). After a lot of talk, everybody agreed that since the government, or others, are willing to fund [some] improvements to the lake, we should present a united front to those organizations. The lake and non-lake people, the save the lake committee, etc, all sharing a common voice to those providing funding. We all enjoy the lake and want it clean and healthy, at least as best possible. We all want and need the funding because we can’t afford to do it ourselves.

At least that's what I walked away with. That and a satisfied sweet tooth. And I learned there is a Save the Lake Group.

One Ton Hydrilla Killa

This went out to a few folks including me:
Just to let everyone know, Lowry Park is sending people over to collect hydrilla and naiad from the lake to feed to their manatees. BunglesLow contacted the park and arrange dthis. Two young girls worked for a couple of hours and hauled away 5 garbage cans full. Manatees eat 10% of their body weight in a single meal. Some weigh in a close to one ton, so this is just to suplement their diet. They plan to return every two weeks, sometimes with a boat. This is a perfect solution as it harvests the plant material instead of spraying it where it just settles down to the bottom. The plants absorb the nutrients, grow and then are removed from the lake in harvesting. I'd like to see if we couldn't team up with Lowry Park for possibly the Love Your Lake Grant, maybe we could get the lake mower so they could have something to help with the harvesting.
See mower. FYI - Hydrilla and Naiad are invasive species non-native to Florida. They are common in private aquariums. These plants are aggressive growers and are a problem everywhere in Florida.

[Update] The Lowry ladies have returned for a second load of Manatee Munchies. Seems our little Hydrilla Haven is much closer than their alternate source so let's hope they really fatten their herbivores up using our premium hydrilla. Not only is ours greener, wetter and better but it's a lot closer. Hmmm, did I mention that already?

Saturday, April 01, 2006

Population Explosion


Hard to see em in there but Lake Roberta gets 12 new baby mallards. They cling pretty close and look like Easter Peeps cept for being brownish. Amazing how fast baby ducks run and when Mom calls they cluster like ticks at a Vampire roast.