Lake Martin Swim Alert -- LakeWatch Lake Martin |
Eric Reutebuch Announcement 5/29/2022
Lake Watch is excited about our new Swim Alert network. Thanks to several monitors that have stepped up and the work of our fabulous monitor coordinator, Ann Campbell, we have been able to expand our monitoring efforts on the lake and the streams and river flowing into the lake. We have established 14 swim areas frequently used by folks recreating at Lake Martin and are launching a bacteria monitoring program to provide information to the public regarding the cleanliness and safety of the water at these popular swimming areas.
In spite of impediments (supply chain issues, for one) most of the beaches have been recently monitored. Just click on the beach icons on the lake map to access the most recent bacteria (E. coli) test results to see if the beach has been clean/safe (GREEN) or contaminated/unsafe (RED). Check back throughout the swimming season for the most up to date test results.
Our goal is to provide information to keep folks safe when they recreate on our beautiful treasured lake. Enjoy the water and be safe!
To access Swim Alert, click here: http://www.lakewatch.org/Swim-Alert
As part of our ongoing commitment to communicate with all of you as to what is going on and around our lake, we wanted to let you know Lake Watch has issued a Swim Alert for Lake Martin due to high quantities of E. Coli in the water. Lake Watch letter 09 27 21.pdf We have received the following request from Lake Watch. Lake Watch does an invaluable service to our community and lake. They need some volunteer assistance. Our lake has recently tested positive for E Coli. We know this because of the efforts of the people at Lake Watch. Please consider the following Lake Watch request for help: WE NEED YOUR HELP TO PROTECT OUR LAKE! BECOME A WATER MONITOR! Lake Watch of Lake Martin is a citizen-based clean water advocacy group and an Alabama Water Watch (AWW) member/affiliate. We have been collaborating with Lake Martin HOBO and LMRA over the years in efforts to protect and preserve Lake Martin, our Treasured Alabama Lake (TAL). Lake Watch water quality monitors are all AWW-trained and certified according to EPA approved protocols. Our monitors perform testing in Lake Martin and in the Tallapoosa River and selected streams in the Middle Tallapoosa Basin. Over the last two years, testing of streams conducted by Lake Watch in watersheds with significant poultry production in the Middle Tallapoosa River Basin indicate significant bacteria (E. coli) in the tributary streams above Lake Martin – which flow into the Tallapoosa River and then into the lake. In early September, we monitored high E.coli in the uppermost reaches of the lake in the vicinity of where Hillabee Creek enters the lake. We are actively trying to identify the source(s) and the extent of this emerging threat to our lake. Expanded bacteria monitoring on the upper lake and the streams above the lake is needed. WE NEED YOUR HELP! Volunteers will go through an Alabama Water Watch Bacteriological Monitoring training (free of charge; ~ 3-4 hour training) and be certified as bacteriological monitors. We/Lake Watch will arrange the training which would be conducted either on the AU campus or here on the lake. After certification, new monitors would sample for bacteria, assisting in our current monitoring program, as you are able, typically no more than once a month. The test procedure is pretty simple, and our monitors consider it to be a rewarding endeavor! Please consider joining us in this essential effort to protect our lake and to protect us against bacterial contamination. Contact Lake Watch of Lake Martin at info@lakewatch.org so that we can get a list of volunteers and organize a bacteriological training session. Thank you for your consideration! |