Muddied waters?

In certain places it appears the weeds are taking over Lake Lucille -- swimmers feel the tangle around their legs, and the water looks choked with green. The water often smells a little swampish, and many lake residents say they won't eat trout caught in its depths.

The only lake entirely encompassed by the city of Wasilla, Lake Lucille is becoming an ever-popular place for boats, Jet Skis, float planes and shoreline development. All this activity has some neighbors sounding an alarm. The water pollution, they say, is getting worse and the lake is in danger. They say people regularly wash their boats in the lake, allowing antifreeze and oil to run off into the water, and they've noticed the way the plants seem to be threatening to turn the lake into a swamp.

"I wouldn't eat a fish out of Lake Lucille unless it was right after it was stocked," one resident said during a recent work session organized by the city of Wasilla.

In response, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and Mat-Su Borough officials say they are continuing to try to learn about the lake and identify ways to keep it healthy, but they emphasize there are no easy answers.

"I think it's going to be through the community that we're going to be able to address the problems on Lake Lucille," Laura Eldred, environmental specialist with DEC, said at the recent work session.

As a part of these efforts, this summer DEC is preparing to begin a new, more intense monitoring program. Eldred said she is hoping to convene an advisory board this fall, including the state, borough and city, to come up with a monitoring plan.

At the same time, other agencies are also keeping their eyes on Lake Lucille. The Department of Fish and Game, which regularly stocks the lake with fish, has said it will look into having fish tested for edibility. The Mat-Su Borough is continuing its volunteer monitor program, which provides monthly data on Lake Lucille, and is seeking additional volunteers.

Most of this information gathered so far has dealt with dissolved oxygen and phosphorus, but borough and DEC officials say they would like to investigate oil and other types of pollutants that may be affecting the lake.

The main question that remains to be answered is whether conditions in Lake Lucille are worsening or if the popular waterway is on the road to recovery.

"That's hopefully what the monitoring is going to help us answer," Eldred said.

And this is not a new question. For decades Lake Lucille has puzzled and worried nearby residents, and in 1994 the lake was officially listed with the federal Environmental Protection Agency as being an "impaired waterway" in need of intervention. Two years ago, DEC responded to this listing with a plan that looks at ways to decrease the amount of pollution going into the lake.

Even before these studies and plans, however, the Wasilla lake was problematic. As early as the 1970s, government agencies were studying it.

"Even then people were saying, 'Hey, there are some problems with Lake Lucille," Eldred said.

Part of what complicates the issue is Lake Lucille's natural traits. It is shallow, with an average depth of less than 6 feet.

At the same time, it does not have a large stream flowing in or out of it but instead is fed by rain, snow and groundwater.

"Lake Lucille on its own is a naturally very fertile lake with a lot of aquatic plants," said Lynn Fuller, water quality coordinator with the Mat-Su Borough. "It's probably been that way for a long time."

Humans are a newer factor. Lake Lucille has been artificially dammed, raising the water level, and septic systems from nearby homes and lawn fertilizers have increased phosphorus levels.

"Any pollution that comes in the lake stays in the lake," Eldred explained at the work session. "The plants really like it and grow and grow and grow." When these plants die, bacteria consume them and use up oxygen in the water, which can in turn cause fish to die during the winter because of the lack of oxygen.

Not one element can be blamed, Fuller said, but rather it is a complex interaction between the lake's natural ecosystem and the people who impact it.

"All of those things would make people want to learn about the lake and learn how to maintain its water quality," Fuller said.

Fuller pointed out that many improvements have been made or are in the works. Most lakeside residents are now hooked up to the city sewer system, decreasing the danger of leaking septic systems.

At the same time, Wasilla has partnered with the Department of Transportation to reroute the storm drain system so that runoff waters aren't gong into the lake but instead are being treated elsewhere.

In the end, though, it may be the same people who are sounding the alarm who come to the rescue of the lake.

"Residents and recreational users can play a major role in maintaining the health of the lake," Eldred and Fuller said in a joint letter to Lake Lucille residents.

Keeping lawn fertilizers out of the water, allowing natural vegetation to grow and act as a filter along the shore, and watching for and reporting pollution are all ways people can help make protect the lake.

How you can help keep lakes and waterways clean

Helping to keep Alaska's lakes sparkling

Don't feed your lake. If you need to fertilize, choose low or no phosphorous fertilizers.

Pump and maintain it. Keep your septic system in good condition, with no leaks into nearby lakes.

Scoop the poop. Clean up after pets and keep the waste out of the lake.

Filter for the fish. Leave a buffer of vegetation along the shore. Native vegetation acts as a natural pollution filter.

Learn about your lakes. Volunteer for a monitoring program.

For more information contact the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation at (800) 510-2332.

Who to call

For septic tank issues, contact Mike Skibo at 376-5038.

For surface pollution issues, contact Laura Eldred at (907) 269-1065.

For fuel issues, contact John Brown at (907) 269-7688.

To report spills after normal business hours or during weekends, call (800) 478-9300.