HAB has downloaded and processed the application data from the barge’s guidance and dose control computer system. The 2020 Shields Lake coverage map shows each individual application path that was recorded over the course of the application. We are extremely pleased with the precise application and uniform coverage of the application zones. There are no…
Second Application Complete! (9/22/20)
On Tuesday (9/22/20) the second of two buffered alum applications at Shields Lake was completed on schedule! The planned dose of over 15,000 gallons of alum and 7,000 gallons of buffer was applied in a precise and uniform manner. The HAB team enjoyed an absolutely beautiful fall day was able to work efficiently to keep…
Second Application Begins (9/21/20)
The second planned buffered alum application began this morning (9/21/20), with the first application completed last fall. The HAB Aquatic Solutions crew mobilized to the site and set up equipment yesterday. They worked until dark today and about half of the application was completed. They are are on-schedule to finish up on tomorrow and are…
Second Shields Lake Application Scheduled
The second and final alum application for Shields Lake has been scheduled for the the week September 21, 2020. HAB Aquatic Solutions conducted the first application in October of 2019 and will be back to complete the project later this month. A description of the project can be found below. Please check back for addition…
First Application Complete! (10/26/19)
On Saturday (10/26/19) the first of two buffered alum applications at Shields Lake was completed on schedule! As planned, the exact dose of over 15,000 gallons of alum and 7,000 gallons of buffer was applied in a precise and uniform manner. The HAB team was able to work efficiently to keep the project on schedule…
Alum Application Day 1: (10/25/19)
The buffered alum application project at Shields Lake began early this morning (10/25/19). The HAB Aquatic Solutions crew worked until dark and had a very productive day. Just over half of the application was completed and they are on-schedule to finish up on Saturday. In today’s post we also discuss how HAB’s application technology ensure…
Mobilization Day: 10/24/19
HAB spent the first day (10/24) of the Shields Lake project preparing equipment for the application. This included assembly of the barge’s application boom, programming the barge’s computerized dosing system, launching the barge into the lake, setting up on-shore storage tanks and confirming the delivery plan for the alum and buffer. A small restricted work…
Shields Lake Project Description
Shields Lake is 30-acre lake in the City of Forest Lake, MN. The lake eventually flows to Forest Lake and it has a watershed that is 538-ac in size. The lake is eutrophic, experiences excessive summer algae blooms, and has poor water quality (high phosphorus concentrations, large amounts of algae, low water clarity), and has…
Precise Alum Application
The key to a successful alum application is the formation of the floc and the precise placement of the floc on the lakebed. The floc is formed when the liquid alum mixes with lake water immediately after application. It is a whitish-green precipitant, is more dense than water and sinks through the water column at…
What are algae?
Algae are microscopic, free- floating organisms that are commonly found in lakes. They are similar to terrestrial plants in that they also require sunlight and nutrients to grow. Algae are the important base of the aquatic food web that ultimately supports juvenile
and adult fish. However, the excessive growth of
undesirable types of algae (Cyanobacteria) causes severe water quality problems. Cyanobacteria (a.k.a. blue-green algae) thrive when nutrients are high and are capable of producing toxins. They grow rapidly to cause blooms and scums and are usually associated with nearly all lake water quality problems.
Shields Lake Alum Project 