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The Lake Gaston Association will be hosting its 13th annual Five County Forum on March 15, 2024, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. The forum will be held at the Lake Gaston Lions Club, located at 139 Stanley Road, Henrico NC.

This year's theme is, “Lake Gaston 2030 - Looking to the Future.”   Officials from the five counties surrounding Lake Gaston -- Brunswick, Halifax, Mecklenburg, Northampton, and Warren, have been invited to discuss their future plans for each county’s economic growth and development. This forum allows the Lake Gaston community an opportunity to learn about the area's future growth and development. It also gives the LGA the ability to work side by side as a collective group with county leadership to keep Lake Gaston and its homeowners’ interests front and center with future development.

This presentation is open to the public and LGA membership is not required.

At the February 14th meeting of the Lake Gaston Stakeholders Board a Resolution introduced by the Lake Gaston Association (LGA) to support funding and management of lyngbya (a cyanobacteria or blue-green algae) was passed without exception.

The LGA is working closely with the Lake Gaston Weed Control Council (LGWCC) to address funding barriers and seek solutions that benefit the health of Lake Gaston and our community.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Lake Gaston Stakeholders Board (LGSB) was formed in 2004 with the purpose to create and carry out an effective long term plan for the management of aquatic species (fish and vegetation) in Lake Gaston.  Managing Aquatic Plants in Lake Gaston, A Long-Term Action Plan, was released to the public in February 2006 and subsequently amended in 2013 as Lake Gaston Aquatic Plant Management: Revised Long Term Management Plan.  This plan reflects a commitment to managing aquatic vegetation in Lake Gaston in a way that is both responsive and achieves the related goals of meeting the recreational needs of as many lake users as possible while protecting the lake’s ecological health and natural beauty.

WHEREAS, control measures conducted by the Lake Gaston Weed Control Council (LGWCC), based on Technical Advisory Group recommendations, have successfully managed hydrilla to a reduced level of approximately 200 acres across the lake. Current annual survey data shows Lyngbya, a filamentous cyanobacterium or blue green algae, increasing to approximately 1300 acres across the lake. The expansion of lyngbya poses a significant threat to the health and recreational benefits of Lake Gaston.

WHEREAS, North Carolina State University, with funding from the LGWCC, continues to conduct research focused on effective management for lyngbya within Lake Gaston, as well as, to better understand factors that influence its distribution and growth. In addition, the LGWCC supports research into the production of cyanotoxins and their potential impact to the environment and human health.

WHEREAS, the LGWCC is the only entity on Lake Gaston that receives funding for the research and management of native, noxious and invasive aquatic vegetation. Funds are also used to support an extension position with North Carolina State University Aquatic Plant Management Program.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the LGSB recognizes that management of lyngbya is of benefit to the general public and supports; 1) research and integrated Noxious Weed Management (including lyngbya) which addresses Lake Gaston’s water quality, and biodiversity, 2) consistent funding and clear pathways that provide counties the legal authority to fund problematic algae management activities, 3) actively encourages legislative and administrative solutions to list lyngbya as a Noxious Aquatic Weed under the NC DEQ Aquatic Weed Control Program, and 4) supports cost share funding by all stakeholders, to include States, County jurisdictions as well as private entities.

BE IT KNOWN that    out of     Lake Gaston Stakeholder Board members representing a quorum were present via ZOOM at a meeting held on this 14th day of February 2024 and the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of all Board Members and opposed by none; and that said Resolution has been duly recorded in this organization’s minutes and is in full force and effect.

 

Pete Deschenes, President

 

 

Recently, a news blog seen by some LKG residents identified Lake Gaston as the “North Carolina Lake Number 1 Most Leech Infested In The Country.” The identified author, Melanie Day, goes on to state “new data has a North Carolina lake as the most leech-infested in the country.” However, no such data is actually presented. In fact, the original blog by “Animals Around the Globe” that was used as the supposed source, titled “The 6 Most Leech Infested Lakes in the United States,” does not even identify Lake Gaston as one of the six most leech-infested lakes in the country. The article, written by Dona Van Eeden from South Africa, does not even really discuss Lake Gaston! A few months ago, a similar blog identified Lake Gaston as having the “cleanest water in North Carolina.” Similar to the article on leeches, it may be entertaining reading but presents zero scientific (or even non-scientific) data for such a claim. The bottom line is this type of “news” should not be considered reliable as in many cases it may be based on nothing more than a web search to see how many instances a topic is noted in social media or other websites, and has no scientific analysis or technical research.

Lake Gaston certainly has leeches, but there is no reliable information to indicate there are any more or less than any similar lake across the country or the state. Here are some facts about leeches:

      There are more than 650 species of leeches worldwide with about 80 species in North America and about 20 of those found in North Carolina.

      Leeches are a natural component of lake and pond ecosystems and the presence of leeches is in no way associated with polluted water.

      Leeches provide food for some types of fish and aquatic birds, as well as turtles, snakes, and crayfish.

      Leeches are found in a variety of freshwater aquatic environments, including lakes, ponds, marshes, springs, and slow streams, typically found in the area along the shoreline in areas protected from wave action.

      Leech bites are harmless to humans although they may become infected by bacteria.

Keeping your shoreline clear of organic material such as leaves and other debris can help reduce leech habitat. Chemicals should never be put in the lake in an effort to kill leeches as it may be a violation of federal/state clean water laws and the Dominion Shoreline Management Plan. It can also result in killing fish, birds, and other wildlife and may harm humans and pets recreating in the lake.

The moral of the story is when reading an online “news” article, be sure to consider the source. Or as a very smart person said, just because you read it on the web doesn’t mean it's true!

 

Article written by John Franz
LGA Lake Environment Committee Chairperson

An amazing weather weekend just passed at Lake Gaston.  

We received a heads up from Dominion Energy last Friday  regarding anticipated high energy demand with the projected cold weekend temperatures    They anticipated the demand could be regulated and keep water levels below 200.5   Thus, we didn't send out a high water alert.   


This morning we received the good news notice below from Dominion Energy.

Lake Gaston topped out at 200.1 and the river downstream from Rapids never got to flood stage.  Levels were close but the operators were able to provide the power requested and keep everything within limits.

Dominion exceeded the all-time peak demand in our service area on Christmas Eve.

Great job  Dominion Energy!

LGA Board of Directors 

 

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