Concerns over shoreline erosion, harmful algae blooms and the threat of invasive mussels drew about 100 residents to the Hayden Lake Watershed Association's annual meeting Wednesday at the Hayden Lake Country Club.

Among the most pressing concerns discussed Wednesday night was the impact of large wakes generated by motorized watercraft, which watershed advocates say accelerate shoreline erosion and stir nutrient-laden sediments that can fuel algae growth.

“It affects the erosion of our shorelines — we can show you 100 pictures of trees falling in where the shoreline is eventually eroded,” HLWA President Jan Wilkins said, adding she’s had a lakeside resident claim they spent over $30,000 to fix erosion-related damages. “They (the wakes) stir up all the sediment that is under the water and that releases sediment into the water column, which creates a whole bad cycle.”

Hayden Lake Watershed Improvement District Board Member Tom Yount, who has worked for the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, EPA and other agencies, said the released sediments, along with those throughout the lake, particularly phosphorus sediments from Hayden Creek, have the potential to trigger algal blooms once the water warms up after winter. 

“The problem is we have too many nutrients available for that bacteria to use, then and consume and multiply,” Yount said. “And what we have to do is reduce the amount of phosphorus in the system, so it doesn't (provide) fuel for the algae to promote.”

A presentation given by Wilkins explained that blue-green algal blooms block out sunlight needed to feed aquatic plants, which in turn provides less oxygen in the water and kills fish. She said blooms are also harmful to humans. They release cyanotoxins, threatening human health through recreational activities like swimming or drinking lake water, which over 300 families on the lake rely on.

Another major concern is invasive species coming to the lake, specifically mussels.

“I've known about them for years, and they screwed up some lakes,” said Gary Robinson, a resident who attended the meeting.

HLWID Board Member Kristine Bartz, who has a degree in chemistry from Montana State University, has made it her “crusade” to stop mussels from overtaking the lake.

“They outcompete native species, growing on top of native mussels and smothering them,” Bartz said. “They filter-feed all the food out, and they starve the fish. It decimates, the entire ecosystem is wiped out.”

According to a brochure provided at the event, the mussels don’t just affect the environment, but affect pocketbooks as well. The mussels are capable of encasing boat props, plugging lines to a boat’s bilge and encrusting the motor, driving up repair costs. They also clog water lines, valves, and pumps, reducing flow. They can also end up in shallow water and on the beaches.

“Not a lot of people are going to want to walk without shoes on,” said Jenny Roman, agricultural program manager with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture’s Post Falls office.

Bartz added that, “Feet get all cut up, and kids can't play. You have to have protective footwear on to either take a walk on your property or on the beach. On top of that, it smells like rotten fish and sewage.”

Wilkins said there’s a very motivated, passionate group of people who support the lake, and the work the HLWA does reflects this notion.

“Lots of these residents in this area are multi-generational, and you'll find that a lot of these folks, their grandparents had homes here, so the roots are deep,” Wilkins said. “The appreciation is so strong. They want to make sure that their grandkids can have the same benefits and beauty and lake health as we have now.”

    Hayden Lake Watershed Association President Jan Wilkins speaks to around 100 people in attendance for their annual meeting.
 

    Jenny Roman listens to a citizen at the Hayden Lake Watershed Association's annual meeting.
 

 

 

    Tom Yount, Jan Wilkins, center, and Kristine Bartz speak at the Hayden Lake Watershed Association's annual meeting.