Alum is a chemical that has been used successfully in many lakes to reduce phosphorus levels by preventing phosphorus release from lake sediments. Once applied, alum binds with phosphorus in the water column and settles to the bottom as a floc. The floc inhibits the release of phosphorus from lake sediments and helps to prevent internal phosphorus loading. Internal phosphorus release is a major contributor to algae growth in Spring Lake.

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Spring Lake was treated with alum in 2005 and that treatment helped to improve conditions in the lake for nearly 15 years. However, recent sampling indicates that the effectiveness of the initial alum treatment is beginning to decline and a second lake treatment is planned for the spring of 2025.  The treatment is scheduled to begin in late April and be completed in June. The alum treatment will help to reduce algae growth, increase water clarity, and improve overall water quality in Spring Lake.

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The alum will be applied with a specialized barge that will evenly apply alum over the portion of Spring Lake greater than 15 feet in depth, an area of about 650 acres. The alum will be delivered to the lake in tanker trucks and pumped to temporary storage tanks at the Petty’s Bayou launch site, The alum, in turn, will be transferred from the tanks to the application barge. The launch will remain open and operational during the alum treatment.

 

The alum treatment is being conducted by Solitude Lake Management LLC. This company has many years of experience successfully completing alum treatments. While there are no swimming, boating or fishing restrictions associated with the treatment, if you are boating on the lake during the alum application, please operate your boat in a manner that will minimize interference with the alum treatment contractor. Thank you for your cooperation.