You Can Help Reduce Algae Blooms in Lake Erie

[John Palmer]

In the past year I had the opportunity to attend seminars and symposiums to help advance my knowledge and understanding as it relates to my career. This summer I spent some time listening to Charles Darrah, Ph.D. a Consulting Landscape Agronomist discuss runoff and how it may affect algae blooms in Lake Erie. I know this is an issue for a lot of lakeshore communities, and the EPA has already expressed their "concern". I was surprised at something that was said that indicated we could influence the blooms. It wasn't what I expected.

Now, I may not make myself real popular with the city refuse guys, but not leaving your leaves piled on your tree lawn until the City leaf collection truck gets them will reduce the amount of nutrients flowing directly into the lake, thus providing a food source for the algae.

Leaves and grass clippings flowing into the sewers add to algae blooms. If you bag your leaves (you could take them to the recycling center if you want to make nice with the collection guys), you cut down on nutrients the algae will feed on as the organic matter decays. Even if the wind and rain don't wash them down the storm sewers, the rain washes decaying runoff into them. You can see this at times by looking at the color of the runoff from piles of decaying leaves.

If a few hundred (or thousands!) of citizens were to do this each Fall, we could do our part in making Lake Erie a healthier body of water for all of us that use it or live in it.

Please pass this along.

[Paul Schrimpf]

I was under the impression that the city will not collect bags of leaves during the months it runs the vacuum trucks. I am pretty sure I read that somewhere. But I could be wrong.

[Betsy Voinovich]

I was under the impression that the city will not collect bags of leaves during the months it runs the vacuum trucks. I am pretty sure I read that somewhere. But I could be wrong.

Hey Paul,

Here is the notification from the City's website.

It doesn't say that they won't collect bagged leaves (in fact, our family always seem to miss the leaf pickup and so we always bag our leaves) just that leaves MUST be in bags after December 13th.

Betsy Voinovich


The City of Lakewood will begin collecting loose leaves on Monday, November 4, 2013 and will continue until approximately Friday, December 13, 2013, weather permitting. Prior to November 4 and after December 13, leaves will be collected only when they are placed in paper yard/leaf bags and set out along with regular refuse and recycling.

Due to the excessive amount of leaves on Clifton Boulevard and Lake Avenue, these streets will be collected separately. Collection crews will start working at the east end of Clifton Boulevard and Lake Avenue and work west until completed. Collection pick-up for these streets is scheduled to begin on November 4 with additional pick-ups beginning November 18 and December 2.

After crews have completed Clifton and Lake, they will collect leaves citywide starting from the west end and working east. The number of citywide collections will be weather dependent. Residents should place their leaves out as soon as possible to ensure collection. Signs will be posted on side streets to notify residents of upcoming collections.

For daily leaf collection schedule updates, visit www.onelakewood.com/leafcollection.

In order to make the leaf collection process as effective as possible, the City asks residents to please rake leaves onto tree lawns as close to the curb as possible. Raking leaves into the street will slow the collection process and may cause basement flooding.

There will be no leaf collection on November 28 and 29 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. If you have any questions, please call (216) 529-6810 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

[Peter Grossetti]

Please pass this along.

Will pass it along via my Facebook account!

And ... speaking of passing ... perhaps City Council could/should consider passing new leaf collection ordinances with this in mind!! Mandatory bagging vs. leaf mountains on Our tree lawn?

[Paul Schrimpf]

Good deal. .. Must have been mistaken. ...

[Michael Deneen]

I had never known any of this before.....this is a great example of how the Observer Project really makes a difference.

[Christina McCallum]

John,

I thought of you today when I bagged my leaves. . .5 bags on the heels of 8 raked up Saturday. This included the ones from the street in front of my house, because I have a sewer grate right in front. I am glad my tendency to "overdo" the raking has an environmental benefit.

Christina

[Peter Grossetti]

If bagging ever becomes mandatory, I'm gonna open a leaf bag store here in Lakewood.