Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Business as Usual?
If a person hadn't known that the lake had been treated with rotenone, you might not have suspected, based on the waterfowl that are stopping by. There have been lots of coots, mallards, and geese the last while. Just no fish jumping...
Monday, October 19, 2009
Two weeks later
I have heard lots of rumours about the rotenone process. The wildest one was a statement in a local newspaper column that most of the fish that floated to the top were scooped up, frozen and will be fed to the eagles next year. I wonder how many will believe that one? The same author wrote that the lake will be restocked in 2012; I guess he never checked with the Ministry people who are planning to restock in the spring of 2010.The aroma of dead fish decomposing is noticeable at times, although much less than I had anticipated. If a person had not known what had happened two weeks ago, you would likely not have guessed. The sounds of geese, coots and other waterfowl are still present. Along the shoreline I see a few dead perch in the shallows.
I have heard of no sightings of live fish. I was talking to a neighbour today who told me he had a huge goldfish - shaped almost like an orange football - wash ashore at his place. Another neighbour told me that the scientists told him that they will probably not know whether this project was successful in eradicating all the perch and bass for about five years.
Here's a photo of the beautiful fall day that we had today.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
A Surreal Experience
A few people have asked me what the rotenone process was like, and I could only answer "weird" and "surreal". Boats crewed by people wearing haz-mat suits and respirators, driving back and forth spreading a toxic substance, followed by scores of floating dead fish.... and then the eerie stillness hanging over the lake.
However, the waterfowl seem to be back now. The Canada Geese are still hanging around, and some ducks. Today there were mergansers on a log just off our place, and some mallards swimming around. I have not seen any more evidence of goldfish, so hopefully they were all killed in the end.
The lake was open for public boating yesterday, but it was crispy in the morning (-8C) so I did not see anyone out.
I was expecting to see a lot of dead fish washed up on our shore, as the southerly winds blow everything on the lake this way. I've been surprised at how few fish there are, and the lack of fishy smell. There is one big dead bass floating near our dock and it is starting to decompose and smells a bit, but otherwise, almost all the fish have sunk to the lake bottom.
With the cold night temperatures I am sure it is making it challenging to keep water lines open for people who have had water delivered to them while the rotenone process happens.
I will post more info as I learn it.
However, the waterfowl seem to be back now. The Canada Geese are still hanging around, and some ducks. Today there were mergansers on a log just off our place, and some mallards swimming around. I have not seen any more evidence of goldfish, so hopefully they were all killed in the end.
The lake was open for public boating yesterday, but it was crispy in the morning (-8C) so I did not see anyone out.
I was expecting to see a lot of dead fish washed up on our shore, as the southerly winds blow everything on the lake this way. I've been surprised at how few fish there are, and the lack of fishy smell. There is one big dead bass floating near our dock and it is starting to decompose and smells a bit, but otherwise, almost all the fish have sunk to the lake bottom.
With the cold night temperatures I am sure it is making it challenging to keep water lines open for people who have had water delivered to them while the rotenone process happens.
I will post more info as I learn it.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Are all the fish gone?
Yesterday Ministry of Environment staff stopped by to take samples from our well for their monitoring program. We talked about my sighting of a goldfish. They too had seen some goldfish in the lake - not doing too well, swimming near the surface, taking gulps of air. They are satisfied that they have got all the perch and bass, but they realize they might not have eradicated all the goldfish. They have been netting goldfish when they find them, and there is still a chance that those still alive will die.
Apparently because goldfish can take gulps of air this makes them more resistant to the rotenone. I had not realized that the goldfish might not all be killed. MoE apparently is not so concerned about goldfish impacts on the Fraser sockeye - perch and bass were their priority. However, I think the goldfish have been having an impact on Gardom and the ecosystem here.
Another interesting tidbit - I heard indirectly that a deep hole was found in the lake of almost 100 feet. Previously the deepest spot was thought to be 80 feet.
Apparently because goldfish can take gulps of air this makes them more resistant to the rotenone. I had not realized that the goldfish might not all be killed. MoE apparently is not so concerned about goldfish impacts on the Fraser sockeye - perch and bass were their priority. However, I think the goldfish have been having an impact on Gardom and the ecosystem here.
Another interesting tidbit - I heard indirectly that a deep hole was found in the lake of almost 100 feet. Previously the deepest spot was thought to be 80 feet.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Follow up
After the intense activity of yesterday, today was relatively calm.
I saw a bald eagle with a rotenone-killed fish sitting just off the water today in a branch of a fir.
And about 5 pm I saw a live fish swimming near our dock. I felt sick when I saw it; my first reaction was that after all that work and effort, not all the fish had been killed. The fish I saw was a carp. I've now done more research and apparently they are more resistant to the rotenone and take longer to kill. It definitely was acting in a very sluggish way, and was swimming near the surface of the water with its upper fin slicing the water.
Last night we netted a few dead fish, mostly perch and one huge bass, dug some trenches in the garden, placed the fish in the trenches, and covered them with soil. Hopefully we'll not have bears or raccoons coming digging them up. Should be good fertilizer for next year!
Most of the dead fish are being left in the lake to provide nutrients for aquatic invertebrates for next year.
My original plan with this blog was just to report on the process of the rotenone, but I might keep it going and report on what happens with the lake's recovery.
I saw a bald eagle with a rotenone-killed fish sitting just off the water today in a branch of a fir.
And about 5 pm I saw a live fish swimming near our dock. I felt sick when I saw it; my first reaction was that after all that work and effort, not all the fish had been killed. The fish I saw was a carp. I've now done more research and apparently they are more resistant to the rotenone and take longer to kill. It definitely was acting in a very sluggish way, and was swimming near the surface of the water with its upper fin slicing the water.
Last night we netted a few dead fish, mostly perch and one huge bass, dug some trenches in the garden, placed the fish in the trenches, and covered them with soil. Hopefully we'll not have bears or raccoons coming digging them up. Should be good fertilizer for next year!
Most of the dead fish are being left in the lake to provide nutrients for aquatic invertebrates for next year.
My original plan with this blog was just to report on the process of the rotenone, but I might keep it going and report on what happens with the lake's recovery.
Monday, October 5, 2009
A long day
The crew started around 8 this morning and it's 5:15 and they're still working. This photo shows the spraying close in to shore to make sure the areas in among the rushes and reeds are captured. The yellow bucket is full of dead perch; a large bass sits on the dock. We're thinking of digging them into the garden as fish fertilizer.
R-Day
Well, it's happening. Crews are out on the lake as I write this. Today started off like a day in paradise; the lake was tranquil, frosty, but the sun was warm. I'm sure the team working on the application is appreciating the calm dry weather.
Here are a couple of photos - first one (above) taken at 8 am today, second one (below) at 11:30 am.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Bliss
What a gorgeous day.... went for a paddle with a friend around the shoreline today. Saw lots of mergansers, coots, geese. Not too many turtles even though it was warm and sunny.
The park was humming with activity with the crew getting ready for tomorrow. Looks like they are getting good weather.
The lake has been sectioned with markers along the shoreline, red and green signs nailed periodically.
The water level is low now; should mean that it will be easy for the shallows to get sprayed.
The park was humming with activity with the crew getting ready for tomorrow. Looks like they are getting good weather.
The lake has been sectioned with markers along the shoreline, red and green signs nailed periodically.
The water level is low now; should mean that it will be easy for the shallows to get sprayed.
Language and semantics
Those who support the use of rotenone in the lake use terms like "treating" the lake and "rehabilitating" it, whereas those who are opposed use the word "poisoning" the lake.
Perspective influences our terminology and language. Same process, but depending on the words we use to describe it, very different feelings are conveyed.
Yesterday I learned more about all the buoys being set in the lake. They contain net cages placed at different depths in which perch and bass are contained. These nets full of fish help the biologists determine how deep the rotenone needs to go into the lake. The stratification of the lake layers, and the fact these layers don't mix, has been a concern all along. If the nets are placed quite deep and all the fish die because of lack of oxygen at that depth, that gives the biologists information which will influence how the rotenone is dispersed into the lake water. The nets are also used to help monitor the effectiveness of the rotenone once it's in the lake.
Well, one more day to go. By this time tomorrow we will start to see the results of the rotenone.
Perspective influences our terminology and language. Same process, but depending on the words we use to describe it, very different feelings are conveyed.
Yesterday I learned more about all the buoys being set in the lake. They contain net cages placed at different depths in which perch and bass are contained. These nets full of fish help the biologists determine how deep the rotenone needs to go into the lake. The stratification of the lake layers, and the fact these layers don't mix, has been a concern all along. If the nets are placed quite deep and all the fish die because of lack of oxygen at that depth, that gives the biologists information which will influence how the rotenone is dispersed into the lake water. The nets are also used to help monitor the effectiveness of the rotenone once it's in the lake.
Well, one more day to go. By this time tomorrow we will start to see the results of the rotenone.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Trepidation
I woke up this morning feeling sad and anxious for the wildlife on the lake that is about to be affected by the rotenone. I'm wondering what is going to happen to the mallards and other ducks that are on the lake right now. I'm aware of their presence as I hear the odd quack throughout the night; I'm sure it will be very still after the rotenone is applied.
Friday, October 2, 2009
More preps for rotenone
Lots of boat activity today on the lake. Buoys are being placed in various sections of the lake. Here is a shot of the park's wharf, with all the equipment lined up and ready to go on Monday. Someone is staying at the park full time from now till the completion of the rotenone. The "product" has been delivered and is in storage in the parking lot.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Ironies
I've been realizing the incongruity of it all... describing Gardom as a small remaining piece of paradise, all the while discussing in a matter of fact way the incipient use of a potent chemical which will be lethal to a considerable portion of the wildlife that inhabits the lake.
The fact that I'm posting my musings on this blog shows my deep concern about what is about to be inflicted on the life in this lake. I can only hope that life will return to it... soon... and that the lives of the turtles, birds and other species that depend on what will be killed will not themselves be too affected.
BC Fisheries is confident enough that aquatic life will return that the plan is to start restocking the lake as soon as ice is off next spring - i.e. by late April. Fingers crossed that they're right.
The fact that I'm posting my musings on this blog shows my deep concern about what is about to be inflicted on the life in this lake. I can only hope that life will return to it... soon... and that the lives of the turtles, birds and other species that depend on what will be killed will not themselves be too affected.
BC Fisheries is confident enough that aquatic life will return that the plan is to start restocking the lake as soon as ice is off next spring - i.e. by late April. Fingers crossed that they're right.
Only 3 days to go....
The forecast for Monday and Tuesday is sunny - which is good for the rotenone program. In speaking with one of the biologists earlier this week, rain was something they were hoping would not happen.
The last couple of days there has been some boat activity on the lake. But it still is very peaceful and quiet here. Lots of geese honking. I've been wondering what will they do when the rotenone is applied to the water?
There are two different forms of rotenone planned for the application. One is being sprayed on the surface, and a different form is being injected deeper into the lake. Because the lake is stratified, with water of different temperatures which tend not to mix, there was concern that the fish in one of the deeper layers could survive the rotenone if it did not mix into that layer. So the approach for the deeper layer is to inject the chemical.
Another concern has been how to provide water to one of the local dairies that draws water from the lake to service the needs 400 dairy cows. Ministry of Environment contributed to the costs of drilling a well in the hopes that a well would provide an alternate source of water for both immediate needs and the long term. However, not enough water was found to meet the needs of the dairy. So an alternate plan has been put in place, to treat the water before it reaches the dairy and remove the rotenone. I'm not sure of the process involved to do this.
After the rotenone is applied, 90% of the dead fish will apparently fall to the bottom of the lake. The others will wash ashore. Since our shore is on the receiving end of the southerly wind - which is the predominant wind on this lake - I expect we'll see lots of dead fish amongst the rushes and reeds of the shore. I've been considering harvesting some and burying them in the garden to help add nutrients to the soil.
I've been wondering if we'll see lots of eagles and other scavengers after the fish. Maybe even a bear or two? There are raccoons in the area too. I'm sure they'll have a feast.
The last couple of days there has been some boat activity on the lake. But it still is very peaceful and quiet here. Lots of geese honking. I've been wondering what will they do when the rotenone is applied to the water?
There are two different forms of rotenone planned for the application. One is being sprayed on the surface, and a different form is being injected deeper into the lake. Because the lake is stratified, with water of different temperatures which tend not to mix, there was concern that the fish in one of the deeper layers could survive the rotenone if it did not mix into that layer. So the approach for the deeper layer is to inject the chemical.
Another concern has been how to provide water to one of the local dairies that draws water from the lake to service the needs 400 dairy cows. Ministry of Environment contributed to the costs of drilling a well in the hopes that a well would provide an alternate source of water for both immediate needs and the long term. However, not enough water was found to meet the needs of the dairy. So an alternate plan has been put in place, to treat the water before it reaches the dairy and remove the rotenone. I'm not sure of the process involved to do this.
After the rotenone is applied, 90% of the dead fish will apparently fall to the bottom of the lake. The others will wash ashore. Since our shore is on the receiving end of the southerly wind - which is the predominant wind on this lake - I expect we'll see lots of dead fish amongst the rushes and reeds of the shore. I've been considering harvesting some and burying them in the garden to help add nutrients to the soil.
I've been wondering if we'll see lots of eagles and other scavengers after the fish. Maybe even a bear or two? There are raccoons in the area too. I'm sure they'll have a feast.
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