ALR Website - Aeration Project History

Aeration Project History

Note:

ALGLB = Austin Lake Governmental Lake Board

ALRB = Austin Lake Riparian Board

Items in brackets “[]” refer to documents found in the below list.

Aeration Implementation on Austin Lake

Austin Lake’s implementation of the Aeration Project used laminar flow aeration technology. It eventually consisted of 29 diffusers (bubbler plates) spread out on the bottom of the south bay. Each diffuser measured 12 x 12 inches and was connected to one of three air pumps located on the shore of the south bay. A diffuser creates a stream of bubbles rising from the lake bottom to the surface. As the bubbles rise, they pull water from the bottom which causes an inversion of the lake water near each diffuser. This oxygenates the lake bottom water. In addition to the diffusers, a “lake friendly” natural bacteria & enzyme treatment was applied in the south bay to increase the bioactivity of sediment decay. The intended goal of the Project was to decrease lake bottom organic sediment (muck) thus increasing lake depth. Also, it was hoped that the Project would decrease lake weeds and increase water quality. [Lake Savers Proposal October 2008]

Start of the Aeration Project

Back in 2007 the Austin Lake Riparian Board (ALRB) wanted to increase lake quality so started researching various possibilities. The use of aeration came to light and several studies were found to have positive results [Aeration Case Studies August 2008]. Two studies in the Kalamazoo area, one at Sherman Lake and one at Willow Lake were also studied. The ALRB contacted Lake Savers for their evaluation of Austin Lake. Lake Savers (which uses Clean-Flo technology) proposed installing diffusers throughout the south bay and augmenting it with natural bacteria & enzyme treatment. To evaluate the effectiveness of the Project they would contract with Lake Shore Environmental Inc./Restorative Lake Sciences to measure lake depth and water quality. [Lake Savers Proposal October 2008].

On October 21, 2008 an informational meeting was held for lake residence [ALR Newsletter 2008]. Then in December of 2008, an Aeration Project petition was circulated and approved by South Bay residents. Of 133 Riparian properties, 74 (55%) signed in support, 25 (19%) declined to sign and 34 (26%) could not be reached. [PETITION FINAL December 2008]

In August 2009 the petition was presented to the Portage City Council for their consideration [ALR Minutes - 8-12-09].

Austin Lake Governmental Lake Board (ALGLB)

On August 12, 2009 the Portage City Council reactivated the Austin Lake's Governmental Lake Board, ALGLB [ALR Minutes - 8-12-09] (see Lake Regulations Page for details on how GLBs work).

On August 19, 2009 the ALRB [ALR Minutes - 8-12-09] formally asked Portage City Council to implement Lake Savers proposed Aeration Project.

On Sept 8, 2009 the Portage City Council voted to consider the ALRB’s request for improving the south bay. So, on Sept. 22, 2009 they voted unanimously to give the Aeration request to the Austin Lake GLB for their consideration [Resolution 9-22-09]

The ALGLB did their own investigation for improving the lake depth and asked Lake Savers for another assessment. In February 2011 Lake Savers created another feasibility study for the ALGLB which was eventually used as the basis for Austin Lake’s Aeration Project. [Feasibility Study Report - Feb 2011]

In May 2011 the ALGLB held several hearings with lake homeowners. On May 26, 2011 the ALGLB decided to proceed with the Project. [GLB Resolution to Proceed 5-26-11] and created a Special Assessment District (SAD) to pay for the project. The Project was to last 5 years and the cost would be spread over the 5 years. At year 3 an evaluation of the results (eg: lake depth) would be done and the project could be terminated without penalty.

In the summer of 2012 Lake Savers installed the diffusers and augmented with natural bacteria & enzyme treatment. [Aeration Report for Austin Lake, December 2012]

On March 5, 2017 the ALRB recommended continuing with Aeration for another 5 years. [Recommendation Letter to GLB 3-5-17]

After several public hearings, the ALGLB decided, on May 19, 2017, to extend the Aeration Project for another 3 years (not 5 as recommended by the ALRB) [May 19, 2017 Resolution to Extend Project]. Also, the Special Assessment District (SAD) was revised and each property owner would be assessed $102 annually. [GLB Assessment Letter 2017]

In April 2019 the ALRB surveyed lake property owners asking what future lake improvements they would be willing to support [Lake Improvement Options 4-9-2019]. The results showed most wanted to continue with some type of aeration [Results of Riparian Votes of the Quality 2019].

On November 12, 2020 the Aeration Project was ended by the ALGLB [ALGLB Minutes: November 12, 2020] mainly because there was so little measurable muck reduction during the 8 years of operation. There were, however, secondary benefits such as improved lake bottom oxygenation [Aeration Data 2017 – 2020].

Throughout the Aeration Project Lake Savers, Lake Shore Environmental Inc. and Restorative Lake Sciences produced written reports (see below), updated the ALGLB and presented at the ALR annual meetings.

Aeration Documents

- Most Recent First -

Note:

ALGLB = Austin Lake Governmental Lake Board

ALRB = Austin Lake Riparian Board

ALGLB Minutes: November 12, 2020

Aeration Data 2017 - 2020

Larry Pio's Letter to Riparians 11-12-20

ALGLB Minutes: June 11, 2020 Draft

ARLB Position on Aeration - May 28 2020

ALGLB Minutes: May 6, 2020

Q&A: February 21, 2020