Hickory Hills Lake – Lake Management Committee Debris Management Sub-Committee Paul LawnMario Andella Dave MacDonaldDana Dudley March 18 th, 2009

Overview Objectives Definitions Goal Concerns Proposed methods Benefits Recommendations Open Discussion

Objectives Determine the amount and content of debris accumulating in Hickory Hills Lake Characterize the type of debris and determine the source and entry location. Identify beneficial debris that should not be removed. Asses methods and programs for reducing and removing accumulated debris.

Definitions Debris – Natural or man-made material occurring at or below the high water mark within the water body that was not intentionally placed for a specific purpose or that was intentionally placed but is no longer providing the function for which it was intended. Debris may either be stationary or free floating. Natural Debris – Consists of naturally occurring biodegradable materials such as trees, logs, stumps and branches. Other organic material such as yard waste, and detached aquatic vegetation are also components of natural debris. Plants that are still growing and/or are in the upright position (e.g. dead trees) are not considered debris.

Goal Develop a Debris Management Plan

Debris concerns Boating Safety and/or limitations Aesthetics Limits to Recreation Pollution (natural & man made)

Types of Debris Man-made Small items ◦Small percent of total volume ◦Bottles, beach toys etc… Large items ◦Lake items (docks, barrels, tires etc…)

Types of Debris Natural – most abundant Small items ◦Yard clippings ◦Branches etc.. Large items ◦Logs, fallen trees etc…

Study Methods - Recommendations On Site surveys to assess locations and amounts ◦4 Surveys April, June, September, November  Boat based cruising  Aerial photography (annually)  Inspection “walk-thrus” (Mulpus Brook etc…) ◦Gather information from relevant sources  Lake users  HHL residents  Lunenburg Conservation Committee  Archives

Clean and Open Method

Clean and Open Method Cont’d PLAN - Address public health, legal access, safety concerns, define point of access to brook, determine depth of water, flow and emergency plans. CLEAN - Remove man-made materials and dispose properly. OPEN - Move or cut loose, floating debris to allow a passage for flow. Use a handsaw or chain saw to make the opening wide enough to allow flow through logjam. Place excess woody debris along brooks to create habitat. Leave woody debris that is embedded in the brooks banks or bottom undisturbed. Minimize impact to the work sites.

Benefits of Woody Debris Creates, preserves and enhances fish, aquatic invertebrate and wildlife habitat structure. Creates complex littoral habitat vital for many fish species. Reduces localized erosion while maintaining flow reduction and sediment deposition benefits. Increases and/or maintains the lake’s aesthetic value. Saves money by eliminating the need to use heavy machinery and extensive restorative work. Involves multiple volunteers and activities can be done by hand.

Recommendations Create Volunteer teams to accomplish… Remove loose floating woody debris Trash removal teams for debris Log jam opening team Equipment support team, provide equipment to workers

Materials Some equipment you might need for repositioning, modifying or removing large woody debris are: ◦Hand saws ◦Rope ◦Come-alongs, block and tackle ◦Chain Saws

Google Earth 2006 Overview

Google Earth 2006 Typical debris build up areas

Google Earth 2006 Mulpus Brook Inlet