A Busy Day at Long Lake Marsh

Some interesting activities took place around Long Lake Marsh today. First, we drew water quality samples that will be analyzed by ALS Labs in Chesterton, IN. A whole slew of parameters are being tested, including:

• Chloramines
• Copper
• Fluoride
• Lead
• Mercury
• Nitrogen
• Phosphorous
• PCBs
• Nitrates
• Nitrites
• Ammonia
• Dissolved Oxygen
• pH
• Salinity
• and more

The lab fees will be covered by our Lake Michigan Coastal Grant for Long Lake Marsh. This provides us baseline quality information for the grant; and conveniently provides more information for our Long Lake flooding problem. The information will also be used to let us know what kinds of native species the marsh will support in the long run.

We also had 6 kids and 4 adults participate in a water quality demonstration program, based on Hoosier Riverwatch, where everyone got to do their own water quality tests, i.e., pH and dissolved oxygen. They about learned about and saw all kinds of macroinvertebrates that live in the marsh. Everyone really enjoyed this program, which was conducted by Erin Crofton and Matt Vesh of Save the Dunes Conservation Fund.

It was interesting to note that the dissolved oxygen is very low in the marsh; and that they found very few dragonfly larvae; although there were a number of dragonflies out there.

John Olsen, O.D. resident and our contact for Aquatic Weed Technologies, the company that will be herbiciding the cattails and other invasives starting August 15, also met with Matt Vesh to start preparing for that project. Matt was also out there today flagging Button Bush and other desirable species so that they will not be sprayed with herbicide. So, if anyone asks what the flags are all about, they are there to indicate a good native species for the marsh.

Some Purple Loosestrife, which is an invasive species, does exist in the marsh, but may be under control through the assistance of Galerucella Beetles, a biological control method. The Galerucella Beetles may be have been deposited in West Beach several years ago and are migrating into Ogden Dunes. Matt Vesh spotted a number of the beetles today, which is a tremendous thing for this area.

More information about the August 15 herbiciding project will be provided as we get closer to that date.

This outreach event brings attention to the restoration work being conducted on Long Lake Marsh in Ogden Dunes between 2008 and 2009 through a grant funded under the Coastal Zone Management Act by NOAA and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Lake Michigan Coastal Program. Project partners also include the Ogden Dunes Volunteer Fire Department, the Ogden Dunes Community Fund, the Save the Dunes Conservation Fund, and the Indiana American Water Company.

This project is also tied to the town's desire to improve the quality of the Lake Michigan Watershed as part of Ogden Dunes' participation in the Clean Community Challenge.

Learn about the Water Quality of Long Lake Marsh

Children and adults are invited to learn more about Long Lake Marsh and its ecology by attending a Water Sampling Event on Tuesday, July 15 at 9:15 a.m.

Erin Crofton, Resource Specialist, Save the Dunes Conservation Fund, will get participants involved in water quality sampling for turbidity, nitrates, ph -- and other important parameters that indicate the health of the wetland. Particpants will also get a close view of macroinvertebrates, such as water bugs; and will learn about the importance of watersheds and water quality in our area.

Participants should meet at the marsh at Diana Ct. and Diana Rd. in Ogden Dunes and be prepared to get their feet wet.

This outreach event brings attention to the restoration work being conducted on Long Lake Marsh in Ogden Dunes between 2008 and 2009 through a grant funded under the Coastal Zone Management Act by NOAA and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Lake Michigan Coastal Program. Project partners also include the Ogden Dunes Volunteer Fire Department, the Ogden Dunes Community Fund, the Save the Dunes Conservation Fund, and the Indiana American Water Company.