Cupsaw Lake Algae Treatment

[John Sheehan]

Hi BBG friends . Here's what is going on at my Community Lake I fish often . Would like to hear views on this procedure . PROS /CONS? I am trying to get educated on the matter .Any help would be appreciated ! Below is the Cupsaw Lake bulletin regarding Algae treatment. Thanks ,John

Good morning!
The lake will be treated today this morning with copper and Pond Shade Aqua Blue. The treatment will begin in the deep area, near the dam. It should reach the shallow area about 2 hours after that, at which time we recommend no swimming for 2 hours. By this time, it should be close to 12:00 when lessons are done for today and we are heading to Erskine to cheer on our swimmers in the Championship Meet! Below is the information on this treatment.

If you have any questions on this treatment, please contact Alan Fedeli, [e-mail] or any member of the environmental committee.

Copper Sulfate Treatment

We will be treating with Copper Sulfate via fan boat today. This is our traditional treatment that we have done every year to reduce the algae population to prevent a blue-green algae bloom. Swimming is not restricted, but we typically keep swimmers out of the water for an hour or two after the shallow water is treated.

What is copper sulfate?

Copper sulfate is an inorganic compound that combines sulfur with copper. It can kill bacteria, algae, roots, plants, snails, and fungi. The toxicity of copper sulfate depends on the copper content. Copper is an essential mineral. It can be found in the environment, foods, and water. Copper sulfate has been registered for use in pesticide products in the United States since 1956.

How does copper sulfate work?
Copper in copper sulfate binds to proteins in fungi and algae. This damages the cells causing them to leak and die. In snails, copper disrupts the normal function of the skin cells and enzymes.

The blue dye product is Pond Shade Aqua Blue, it is food grade and safe for humans and animals, and it can be seen at Upper Erskine where they have used it for six years. It creates a blue surface film that blocks UV rays and reduces the sunlight that algae need to bloom. This treatment is expected to reduce the number and frequency of copper sulfate treatments we will need for the rest of the swim season.

[John Sheehan]

Thanks for the input Gary!

[Gary Kamatchus]

I live in central southern Minnesota and the lakes they treat are still pea soup green most of the time. It is just a shame the way our lakes have got to this low point in the last 30 to 40 years. I am 100% sure the problem lies with all the runoff from the county ditches they installed and ran into our lakes in the early 1960's and now our lakes are paying the price.

[John Sheehan]

Me too Slip ,it's overkill in my opinion.

[Slip Sinker]

 i hate weed treatments over-all...

i fish a couple lakes that are scoured clean of weeds and algae all season long.they are the few lakes i have caught my largest and most Certificate fish. i guess if it was done correctly there would be no problem.

if it was nutrient balanced and all the homes were on sewer system instead of septic there would probably be no need.

its a shame the snails are greatly depleted with this treatment... those p.seeds need that to grow big.