Hackert Lake Association

Potluck Dinner Meeting – Membership

April 21, 2001

Thirty-two people attended the April 21 potluck dinner meeting of the Hackert Lake Association membership, including guest speaker, Dr. Hamdy Helal. The meeting began with a potluck dinner at 4:00 p.m.

After dinner, President, Bob Haupt introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Hamdy Helal from West Shore Community College. 2000 was the third year that Dr. Helal conducted a study of aquatic life in Hackert Lake.

Bob Haupt helped him collect samples from two stations, station 1 at the east end of the lake and station 2 at the west end. The study included a comparison of the years 1998, 1999 and 2000. He measured the amounts of ammonia, dissolved oxygen, nitrate (nitrogen), ph and phosphate (or phosphorous) in the lake. Living organisms studied included microscopic algae and zooplankton – a total of eighteen different species. During the year 2000 they gathered samples of microscopic algae and zooplankton in July, August, September and October. Larger aquatic plants were studied in June and August.

Dr. Helal’s three year comparison showed that ammonia (the first nitrogen) measured a little less in 1999 but normal over all. Dissolved oxygen was measured near the surface and near the bottom >25 feet. Nitrate measured at 0, which means there is a good balance of use between nitrates and dissolved oxygen. He said that the pH of 8.5 was very good. The measure of phosphate, which is not in nature of its own, was highest ever in Hackert Lake at station 2, measuring .06. Whenever phosphate exceeds 0.3, this is a dangerous situation indicating utrification.

During the question and answer period, Dr. Helal said that the water temperature is not extreme and water clarity or turbity averaged better in 1999 than either 1998 or 2000. He also said that phytoplankton and zooplankton are signs of a healthy lake. He also indicated that even though the mass of aquatic plants is increasing, the balance is the same as past years, also indicating a healthy lake overall.

When asked about available grants for lake study, he told us that our best chance for grants would be to study zebra mussels and Asian milfoil.

Harold Kling won the 50-50 drawing and the meeting was adjourned.

Shirley Salas, Secretary