A grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is enabling University researchers to get rid of the scum hanging around Campus Lake and fish out problems deteriorating the lake’s health.

Campus Lake was one of five lakes in Illinois selected this year by the Illinois EPA for monitoring. The Illinois EPA granted SIUC a $75,000 grant in April to research the 40-acre Campus Lake for two years.

Sedimentation, shoreline erosion, over-fertilization and storm drainage runoff are problems affecting Campus Lake that University researchers are examining as part of Illinois’ Conservation 2000 program.

Advertisement

Conservation 2000 is a six-year, $100-million effort to control pollution and enhance Illinois’ natural resources.

More than 20 storm drains empty into the lake, filling up the lake’s bottom with sediments. The average depth of the eight feet, and its deepest point is 14 feet.

At a press conference Friday, University researchers demonstrated methods of collecting water and sediment samples. Regional EPA officials presented a new sign near the Campus Lake boat docks, which labels the lake as an EPA study site.

The Center for Environmental Health and Safety, which has monitored Campus Lake for 10 years, will provide data to the researchers. Data includes such factors as water depth, water quality and the amounts of nutrients in the lake.

Erik Talley, assistant director for the Center of Environmental Health and Safety, works closely with Campus Lake. Talley said that by taking monthly samples and submitting them to the EPA, the lake will last longer for more students

Studying things like shoreline erosion can help improve the lake water through time, Talley said. And the studies will help maintain and improve the recreational uses of the lake.

Charles Muchmore, professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and principal investigator of the project, wrote the proposal to the state requesting to do the research.

Advertisement*

Muchmore is responsible for analyzing the engineering aspect of the lake, such as mapping, depth measurement and gathering data on the measurement of sediments on the lake bottom.

One problem with sedimentation in the lake is that more than 20 storm drains run into the lake, bringing contaminants into the lake. The drains funnel runoff from campus streets, parking lots, buildings and woodland areas. The runoff can contain oil, solvents and other ingredients foreign to natural bodies of water.

By looking at the storm drains that run into Campus Lake, we can determine where the sediment is coming from and then decide on the most economic ways to stop it, he said.

Sediments, items that collect at the bottom of the lake, include eroded dirt, runoff materials and anything else responsible for filling up the lake.

John Stahl, associate professor of zoology and co-principal investigator, is analyzing algae, zooplankton and fish populations in the lake. Stahl’s work focuses on the growth of algae and other biological aspects of the lake.

There is a contrast between lakes and agriculture, Stahl said. In agriculture, you want a lot of fertilizer. In lakes, you don’t want a lot of fertilizer like algae.

A clean lake is more desirable for fishing and swimming. A lot of scum on the lake does not make it too pleasant for fishing or swimming.

Stahl’s work focuses on making the lake look cleaner and clearer. The relationship between zooplankton and fish populations can help Stahl figure out how to preserve lake clarity. There are two types of fish, those that eat zooplankton and those that eat other fish.

Zooplankton graze on algae, which gathers on the surface of the lakes. A larger population of fish-eating fish should allow for more zooplankton, which in turn, will control lake surface algae, improving the lake’s appearance. After Stahl examines the situation of the lake, he may suggest altering certain fish populations by selective removal techniques.

Robert Hite, manager of Southern Monitoring and Assessment Unit Planning Section of the Illinois EPA, said SIUC’s application was one of about 20.

Hite said of the 20 applications, SIUC’s proposal was one from an area of Illinois where not many applications were submitted.

One thing the lake association is interested in is lake protection, Hite said. We went through all the applications and determined that SIU had one of the best lakes for the project.