ELake Water Quality
The water quality of E Lake is directly proportional to the value of your home. This is the mantra known well by all E Lake residents. Our water quality on E Lake is nothing short of incredible. The visibility surpasses 50’ at times and the spring fed water has less particulates per million (a fancy way of saying its purity), than the drinking water in Miami-Dade County. It is maintained by all the residents together, by following strict environmental rules. Once a month we have an outside Lake and Wetland Management Service test the water quality, observe the wildlife, and manage the hydrilla weeds. The lake is tested in 4 different spots to monitor any trends of water chemistry change. There is a diverse population of fish, turtles, and birds. To maintain this well balanced ecosystem, control of the hydrilla weed is essential.
Aquatic Systems Inc. has been testing our lake each month since May 1994. The 4 test sites are located at the end of each of the two fingers, the middle of the large part of the lake on the north side, and at the middle of the lake on the west side. The water quality parameters include: dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, nitrogen ammonia, coliform bacteria, phosphate, chloride, conductivity, color (alpha platinum-cobalt), turbidity, and PH levels. All levels fall within desirable parameter levels. E Lake also participates in the Florida Lake Watch program through the University of Florida. For more on this, click on the Florida Lake Watch section of the website. E Lake also utilizes the use of triploid carp to manage the plant life.
In March 1997 ASI (Aquatic Systems Inc.), stocked the lake with 200 triploid carp which are a bottom feeding, sterile fish. These fish are unable to reproduce which gives us positive control over their numbers and thereby control over plant life. It is important to understand that some plant life is essential to the balance of the ecosystem. The trick is in management. Triploid carp are utilized to control the deeper areas of the lake. In January 2000, E Lake was again stocked with another 200 triploid carp as a supplement to the original 200 fish. The normal stocking rate of these fish is 10 fish per acre. E Lake has been stocked at a lower rate of 5 fish per acre. These numbers have served to maintain the desired balance of vegetation in the lake, rather than total elimination. Other indigenous fish such as bass and bream, need some plant life to hide and spawn. The hydrilla weed found near the waters edges, need maintenance as well. During the summer months, the outside temperature is high, as is the sun. This accelerates the growth of the weed. ASI sprays an environmentally approved weed chemical to keep this growth in check. E Lake currently has a unique blend of aquatic plants including chara, southern naiad, marine naiad, hydrilla, needlerusn, pennywort and torpedograss. Together, these small amounts of plants combine to provide an excellent wildlife habitat and food source for our lake. Plant life also acts as a filter as well. Small particulates floating in the lake, attach themselves to the stems and leaves. This contributes to the amazing clarity of the water. E Lake, originally a rock pit, consists of limestone. There is no dirt or mud to cloud the visibility. There is a constant movement or current in the lake, which further serves to provide a well balanced ecosystem that we are very proud of. E Lake truly is a rare find.
The ground on which we live is oolite or limestone formed from coral and seashells. This former rock pit (originally known as Rockdale), is very porous and holds water much like a sponge. There are no nutrients or organics in oolite. This is why the plant life is limited. Vegetation needs food, or nutrients to grow. The less nutrients and organics, the better the color of the water. This is why E Lake has a beautiful cobalt blue color. The oolite also acts as a filter. The water table rises and lowers, allowing the porous rock to further filter out any particulates. The lake is completely self contained. There are no entrances or exits for other water. This helps to control the water quality. Back in the 1970’s, two culverts were constructed to assist in flood runoff after heavy rains, from 92nd Ave. These two culverts can be seen at the end of each finger. They were immediately plugged up with concrete by the county, after residents made a lengthy case of environmental pollution of our water. Later, in the 1990’s, The Falls Shopping Center wanted to expand and relocate the gas station on the corner of 92nd Ave. and SW 136th St.. This too was hotly contested at the county level. Our water quality concerns finally prevailed and the gas station remains where it was before, many blocks away. Just recently, in 2007, we have experienced an influx of many Muscovy ducks from nearby lakes and canals. These ducks carry diseases and leave large amounts of droppings. An animal relocation company along with the US Dept. of Agriculture, removed aprox. 50 of these ducks, eliminating them from the lake. The lake residents have proven their strong desire to protect what they have, with their time, energy, and money. Part of this desire involves following established environmental directives. These are intended to limit the introduction of any organics, nutrients, or pollutants.
- In north Dade and Broward, lakes are brownish-green due to the soil being full of organics. Our only source of organics, nutrients, and pollutants is our yards and what we put on them. These include fertilizer, added black dirt, animal droppings, decaying pine needles, as well as pollutant spillage, such as gasoline. Thus, simple guidelines have been established to limit any introduction of undesirable additives.
Use only light applications of fertilizer on your lawn and never within close proximity - generally 40’ behind the shore line or before the slope down to the water. - Never spread black dirt for landscaping past the slope line in your yard. Rather, only use sand which works very effectively in place of black dirt.
- When constructing retaining walls close to the lake, only backfill with sand as well.
- Limit your yard watering. Intensive watering only leaches nutrients from your yard to the lake.
- Keep control of your yardman, fertilizer company, and landscapers, by explaining about the lake.
- Keep your beach and slope clear of decaying plant matter. Rake the beach regularly to keep it free of anything that may affect the water quality.
- When refueling watercraft, only use large funnels to prevent any spillage of gasoline.
- Remove any Australian Pine trees if able. They are not indigenous and only serve to soak up water and drop a lot of pine needles.
- Keep domestic ducks as well as the Muscovy ducks from the lake. These ducks carry a myriad of diseases and produce an immense amount of droppings.
- Pick up dog droppings.
- Lastly, and most importantly, NO OUTSIDE BOATS ! The hydrilla weed was introduced to the lake by a guest using their boat on our lake, whose hull had the hydrilla plant stuck on the bottom. Now we have that weed to contend with.
The E Lake community shares in this responsibility. The lake is crystal clear, fish and wildlife dynamics are in order, and a variety of desired waterfowl are present. Aquatic Systems Inc. tests and maintains the lake every 2nd Thursday of each month. On that day, there is no boating to allow ASI to do its job. If a homeowner needs extra attention, a sign is left on their dock for the ASI scientist in his boat, circling the lake. On each 2nd Thursday of the month, red flags are placed on anchor at 5 locations. Two are at the end of each finger, one on the west side of the lake opposite the fingers and two located on the large part of the lake – one on the east side and the other on the west. These flags serve to visually remind homeowners that this day is for lake treatment and analysis. No boating allowed for 24 hours. The Friday morning following, brings out the water skiers, wake boarders, tubers, and waverunners once again.
This lake is truly a paradise, conscientiously utilized to its maximum potential. Those who live on E Lake know this and strive to always maintain the highest standards of environmental control. The water quality of E Lake is directly proportional to the value of each home. Homes regularly sell from a million dollars and up. Those who reside here, have not only bought a house. They have bought a 76 acre water playground in their backyard, with a beach and a lifestyle of outdoor living within a community of like minded residents. It is the water quality that makes this lake so desirable.