Newsletter articles

By Maureen Daniels – July 2021

The Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) would like boaters to know that there are new engine cutoff device wear requirements for recreational boat operators as part of the January 1, 2021 passage of National Defense Authorization Act that included a U.S. Coast Guard Reauthorization. These devices, commonly referred to as engine cutoff switches (ECOS), are designed to prevent a boat-strike injury if an operator is accidentally ejected overboard while underway.

The new law applies to all federally navigable waterways (those waters that are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide and/or are presently used, or have been used in the past, or may be susceptible for use to transport interstate or foreign commerce) and will be enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Engine cutoff devices can be located at the helm of the boat or on the tiller or body of an outboard engine and typically connect a boat’s operator to the cutoff switch with a lanyard. Some ECOS devices eliminate the lanyard and rely on wireless proximity devices to shut down an engine if the operator goes overboard. 

Effective April 1, 2021, the new law requires a vessel operator to use either a helm or outboard lanyard or wireless ECOS on certain vessels less than 26 feet when traveling on plane or above displacement speed. These vessels include (1) boats that have a functioning engine cutoff device installed at the helm or on an outboard engine or have wireless ECOS, or (2) boats manufactured beginning January 2020.

Boaters are encouraged to check the U.S. Coast Guard website at https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/engine-cut-off-switch-faq.php for additional information on this new use requirement and other safety regulations and recommendations.

ALWAYS WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET. IT WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE.

Maureen Daniels  

mo.daniels@lakeannavirginia.org

By Harry Looney – July 2021

Did you know that the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) sponsors a Swim Healthy, Stay Healthy campaign every recreational season?  As part of this program, VDH provides web-based resources covering a wide range of summer recreational activities.  You can find these resources here:  https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/blog/2018/06/01/swim-healthy-stay-healthy/.  These web pages are loaded with information about beach monitoring conducted by state agencies, safe swimming, recreational water illnesses and harmful algae blooms (HABs). 

There are also many fact sheets on health-related issues and diseases.  The VDH fact sheet on HABs is provided at the end of this newsletter for informational purposes.  Please use this web link to get to the VDH fact sheet listing:  https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/epidemiology-fact-sheets/.

HABs are of primary interest to LACA and many Lake Anna residents because it impacts them directly.  VDH issued a swim advisory on June 30th for the entire upper Pamunkey Creek area due to the highest cyanobacteria cell counts LACA has seen since 2018.  The VDH web page for reporting a HAB is something you should keep handy if you live in an area that is prone to algae issues.  The VDH web page for reporting a HAB is at this link:  https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/waterborne-hazards-control/harmful-algal-bloom-online-report-form/. 

VDH also maintains an online algal bloom surveillance map for the entire state.  The VDH webpage is at this link:  https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/waterborne-hazards-control/algal-bloom-surveillance-map/.

LACA is closely monitoring conditions in the upper Pamunkey Creek area and we are dedicating many resources to the entire upper lake area north of the 208 bridge but we need your help in this monitoring campaign.  If you see an algae bloom, please notify the LACA Water Quality team by e-mailing Harry Looney at harry.looney@lakeannavirginia.org.  Please provide your address, date, and time you saw the bloom, and let me know if it is okay to come on your property to gather water samples.  A picture of the bloom is always helpful. 

In addition to notifying LACA, we ask that you also submit a report to VDH using the web link provided above.  The VDH form asks for information about where the algae is located and it really helps if you can provide the latitude and longitude of the location and a photo of the scum or algae bloom.  Provide a perspective image so VDH has a good feel for the extent of the scum on the surface.  A good example image that will help both VDH and LACA in our assessments is this image from a bloom on Pamunkey Creek.  You can obtain the latitude and longitude of the location using Google maps on your PC or laptop or LACA can provide the latitude and longitude if you let us know that you need our help doing that.  We will get the coordinates based on your street address and a description of where you saw the scum on the surface.

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Fact Sheet October 2018

What are harmful algal blooms?

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are caused by cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) which may or may not produce toxins. Cyanobacteria are common single-celled organisms that naturally exist in fresh waters, such as lakes and ponds, or slightly saline waters such as tidal rivers and estuaries (brackish water). The cyanobacteria utilize sunlight and nutrients from the water to grow and multiply. When there are too many nutrients in the water, the bacteria can grow rapidly or “bloom”. Blooms may turn the water a green, red, or brownish color. Blooms may also form a visible scum on the water surface, similar to the look of spilled paint. Blooms are more likely to occur in hot summer months.

What effects do harmful algal blooms have on humans?

Most cyanobacteria species are not able to produce toxin. Some species can produce one or more types of toxins such as neurotoxins (nerve toxins) or hepatotoxins (liver toxins) during blooms which may be harmful to humans or aquatic life. People may become exposed to cyanobacteria toxins in three ways: swallowing bloom water, direct skin contact, and breathing aerosolized toxins that are in the air.

What are the symptoms of harmful algal bloom exposures?

If water containing cyanobacteria toxin is swallowed, common gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur. If there is direct contact with cyanobacteria toxin, skin and eye irritation may result, along with tingling or numbness of the lips, fingers and toes, and dizziness. Respiratory irritation may include coughing or wheezing. Long-term exposure to cyanobacteria toxins may result in liver damage or other chronic health effects.

How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?

Symptoms of a neurotoxin HAB exposure may appear within 15-20 minutes while symptoms of a hepatotoxin HAB exposure may take hours or several days to appear. Telling your health care practitioner about contact with water may help him/her treat the illness properly.

What effects do harmful algal blooms have on animals and fish?

Mammals and birds exposed to cyanobacteria toxins may become ill or die. As other bacteria in the water break-down dead cyanobacteria, the dissolved oxygen in the water may become depleted, which may cause a fish kill. Cyanobacteria bloom toxins at high concentrations can be directly harmful to fish and may cause fish kills as well. Dense bacterial blooms in the water column will block out sunlight necessary to other organisms to survive. Wildlife, pets, and livestock are also prone to exposure by wading and drinking bloom water. A small amount of toxin can cause illness to small animals if ingested.

Is it safe to eat seafood from waters with cyanobacteria blooms?

Internal organs (innards) of fish and crabs caught in bloom waters may be contaminated and, therefore, should not be consumed. It is safe to consume fish filets that appear healthy when caught in bloom waters, providing you carefully clean the fish, discarding all guts and the carcass, thoroughly cook the fish fillet, and wash hands and surfaces with fresh, soapy water afterward. In waters with persistent, reoccurring blooms where toxin levels are high, consumption may not be advised.

How do I protect myself from the effects of harmful algal blooms?

• Observe signage indicating a harmful algal bloom is present and avoid contact with the water when instructed.
• Do not swim, wade, or waterski in water that has unusual color or where a cyanobacteria bloom has been identified.
• If direct contact with skin occurs with water containing cyanobacteria, wash off with fresh water. In some cases, skin irritation will appear after prolonged exposure. If symptoms persist, consult your health care provider or your local health department.
• Never drink untreated water. Boiling water taken from a waterbody with a cyanobacteria bloom will not destroy toxins.
• Do not let children, pets, or livestock wade, swim, or drink affected waters. If exposed, wash skin and fur thoroughly with fresh water.
• People who are prone to respiratory allergies or asthma should avoid areas with cyanobacteria blooms.
• Do not eat internal organs or use the carcass for stock of fish caught in HAB waters. If you have cleaned fish fillets caught from affected waters, thoroughly wash any of your skin that has come into contact with the fish, in addition to surfaces during cleaning and preparation. Use rubber gloves if contact with affected waters must be made.

What is Virginia doing about harmful algal blooms?

Several state agencies and municipal governments work together to regularly monitor the water and shellfish growing areas for the presence of cyanobacteria and their toxins, and to conduct surveillance for human health effects. This group is known as the Virginia Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force. The public will be notified if a cyanobacteria bloom that could affect human health is identified. The Algal Bloom map is regularly updated to reflect the status of waterways experiencing a bloom.

How does someone report an algal bloom?

If you are concerned that you have been exposed to a harmful algal bloom, please see your health care provider or call your local health department. Telling your doctor about contact with water may help him/her treat the illness properly. You may also report the exposure on the Harmful Algal Bloom Hotline (888-238-6154). Report algal blooms and fish kills online at http://www.swimhealthyva.com/.

How can I learn more about harmful algal blooms?

• If you have concerns about harmful algal blooms, contact your healthcare provider. Call your local health department. A directory of local health departments is located at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/local-health-districts/.
• Visit www.SwimHealthyVA.com and click on Harmful Algal Blooms.
• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HAB website at https://www.cdc.gov/habs/.
• Visit the Environmental Protection Agency HAB website at https://www.epa.gov/water-research/harmful-algal-blooms-cyanobacteria/.

Harry Looney, LACA Water Quality Project Officer

harry.looney@lakeannavirginia.org

By Harry Looney – July 2021

As we reported in an October 2020 newsletter article, LACA established an academic partnership with the Environmental Studies Program at Randolph-Macon College (R-MC) to investigate the impact of nutrients loads in the lake sediment on the lake’s algae problem.  The project was executed over the entire academic year of 2020-2021 by two different Environmental Studies Program classes, one during the fall semester and the other during the spring semester.  COVID-19, as might be expected, severely impacted the fall semester.  R-MC’s COVID restrictions would not allow students to go out on boats with their instructor, so LACA and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) implemented a back-up plan and were able to collect samples in September and then again in early November.  The strong DEQ partnership with LACA on this project resulted in the allocation of two days of their manpower, boat, and laboratory resources as well as data from the extensive DEQ data base going back to the 1970s.

The R-MC research program was focused on sediment collection in the main tributaries from the 208 bridge to the northern headwaters of the lake (North Anna River, Pamunkey Creek and Terry’s Run).  We included several creeks in the upper lake area as well (Plentiful Creek, Foremost Run and Ware’s Creek). 

This was the first time DEQ had ever sampled Lake Anna sediment for nutrients.  There was a large sediment sampling effort back in the 2010-2012 timeframe, but those samples focused on contaminants such as PCBs and mercury. 

The data from the September and November sampling campaigns were analyzed by students in the fall semester to quantify the levels of nitrogen, orthophosphates, and phosphorus in the sediment and in the water column at each sampling station.  Given the COVID-19 constraints, LACA was extremely pleased with the fall semester results and an initial data set of sediment nutrient values was obtained.  

The spring semester research effort started in February and students were able to come to the lake in March and April for sediment and water sampling activities.  Laboratory parameters obtained during the fall and spring semester included phosphorous, orthophosphates and nitrogen in the lake sediment and in the water 1-meter from the bottom of the lake.  Field parameters such as pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen levels were also recorded at 1-meter intervals from the surface to the bottom at each sampling location. 

While preliminary, the research conducted by R-MC provided LACA several insights on the issues confronting the upper lake regions due to algae.  The students combined data analysis of the sediment and water sample results with an in-depth look at land use using a Geographic Information System (GIS) tool.  The students had access to 1-meter resolution GIS land use data layers including residential, agricultural, forested, and commercial land use areas.  They also obtained data on septic systems approved in the Lake Anna area and biosolid permitted areas.  The student teams then conducted statistical analysis using these GIS data layers, the data collected during eth research project, and historical data sets provided by DEQ and LACA to identify correlations in the data.  Six student teams were formed to focus on nitrogen, phosphorous, orthophosphates, pH, chlorophyll, and the ratio of Total Nitrogen to Total Phosphorous, a factor that has been shown in many other research papers to be an indicator of where algal blooms are likely to form. 

The significant correlations found during these team efforts provided several insights that require further analysis, but the data provides LACA with information we can use to initiate localized remediation efforts.  The primary correlations identified by the students were lawns, crops, wetlands and forested areas.  The data clearly showed, at a macro level, that areas where lawns and crops go down to the water’s edge correlate with higher levels of nutrients and areas with wetlands and forested areas tend to lower nutrient levels.  The research provides the data and academic rigor to back up LACA’s suspicions that these land use factors are impacting our water quality.  More surprising though was the finding that, at the macro level, septic systems and biosolids do not have strong correlations to areas where high nutrient loads exist in the sediment and water column.  This was one research effort and the data was reviewed at a very macro level using datasets that go back 20 or more years in some cases. 

LACA intends to continue to review the data and to take a more micro look at the data sets for areas experiencing aggressive algal issues.  Sediment nutrient loading is one of the key knowledge gaps that LACA, LAAC and DEQ have identified with our understanding of the lake dynamics.  The R-MC academic research effort addressed this knowledge gap and the data LACA received will ensure our decisions about future remediation efforts, and the resources expended to address the algal issues, are based on science informed by relevant, current data.

Results from the R-MC research project will be shared with the Lake Anna Advisory Committee (LAAC) that is executing a comprehensive study to determine the cause of our recent harmful algae blooms (HABs) and to inform course of action development into potential remediation actions that could be taken.  Phase one of the LAAC project focuses on the North Anna River from Holladay Bridge west to the upper reaches of the lake.  The objective of LAAC’s robust study is to determine the magnitude of phosphorus and nitrogen loading from external (from the streams) and internal (in the water column and sediment) sources.

Dr. Mike Fenster and Dr. Chas Gowan lead the R-MC research program.  LACA nominated the R-MC professors for a York River and Small Coastal Basin Roundtable Excellence in Environmental Education award and both were selected as 2021 awardees.  As part of the award, the Roundtable purchased a tree for each awardee and they were planted on the R-MC campus.  An article on the award and the Environmental Studies Program at R-MC can be found at this link:  https://www.rmc.edu/news-and-calendar/news-stories/2021/06/04/a-watershed-moment-for-r-mc-s-environmental-studies-professors

Interested LACA members are welcome to volunteer in support of LACA’s Water Quality Improvement program.  Contact the Water Quality Project Officer at this link if you are interested in learning more or volunteering.

Harry Looney, LACA Water Quality Project Officer

harry.looney@lakeannavirginia.org

By Greg Baker - June 2021

Annual Meeting/Bundles/Volunteers/RV Park

Annual Meeting

The LACA board is happy to announce our annual meeting will be held in person on July 31^st from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM at the North Anna Nuclear Information Center. (Dominion Energy has graciously agreed to host our meeting.) Please check our website’s home page for details. Due to space limitations, our annual meeting is only open to LACA members. Please arrive at 9:00 to have informal breakout sessions with our committee chairs and meet our board members. The official meeting will begin at 9:30.

We are excited to announce that Professor David Schmale, the head of the Schmale Laboratory at Virginia Tech will be our guest speaker. Dr. Schmale and his team have been working with LACA over the past two years to study Harmful Algae Blooms (HAB) and their causes at Lake Anna with the use of drones. Dr. Schmale was the first to develop an autonomous drone to sample microorganisms in the lower atmosphere and is a renowned expert in HAB.

What is a BUNDLE and why should you care?

Our website provider considers each of our members a “bundle” which allows for two people per household to be included on your LACA membership. The bundle administrator is the lead person on the membership and the only person in the household that has the right to vote in our elections. A bundle member is a second person in the household that can be added to your membership.

Why is this important?

Both bundle administrators and bundle members receive our monthly newsletter and our E-Grams with timely and important information from LACA. Most importantly, both members of your household can and should respond to our biennial survey which shapes the direction of our organization. We encourage you to add your spouse or significant other so their voice can also be heard. The survey will be distributed to both bundle administrators and bundle members in late June.

Steps to add a bundle member to your household membership:

1: Go to our website at www.lakeannavirginia.org and make sure you are logged in with your email and password.

2: Once logged in to the LACA website, click on your name at the very top of the home page and you will be brought to your profile page.

3: Just after the Membership details, under the section titled, Bundle Summary, click on Add a Member and follow the prompts. Only one additional household (bundle) member is allowed per membership.

Please note that if you have your spouse or significant other’s email under your profile, please edit your profile and remove that email address to prevent duplicate communications from going to that address. If you would like to swap the bundle administrator and the bundle member for voting privileges, please email me at greg.baker@lakeanavirginia.org

Volunteers Desperately Needed!

Our long time Land Use Committee Chairman and Belmont Regional Director, Allan Lassiter and our Assistant Treasurer, Scott Webster are both sadly selling their lake homes and moving out of the area. This is a huge loss to your LACA board, their contributions to LACA have been immeasurable!

In our normally scheduled election cycle, the following positions are up for election this July: President, Treasurer & Regional Directors for Belmont and Partlow voting districts within Spotsylvania County.

Alan Bennett and I have agreed to run for reelection for the positions of President and Treasurer. However, we strongly encourage anyone interested in either of these positions to volunteer.

The following positions are or will soon be vacant and we are desperately seeking volunteers to get involved with LACA and help preserve and protect the lake.

Land Use Committee Chairman

Assistant Treasurer

Belmont Regional Director

Partlow Regional Director

If you are interested in learning more about the regional Director position, please click here. 

If you are interested in learning more about the board, the time commitment, how the elections work or interested in volunteering in some other capacity than the positions above, please email me at greg.baker@lakeannavirginia.org

Four Seasons RV Resort Poll Update

LACA recently conducted a poll of our membership on the proposed Four Seasons RV resort on the Upper Pamunkey Creek. Part of LACA’s mandate in preserving and protecting Lake Anna is monitoring development around the lake. LACA will likely never “support” a development and rarely “opposes” a development unless it is considered especially egregious. (An exception might be a desperately needed urgent care center or a fire & rescue expansion at the lake like the one being proposed at New Bridge.)

Our goal is to work with the developer, the planning commission and the board of supervisors in the early stages of a proposed development to help encourage positive changes. We have met with the Four Seasons developer twice and had several text/calls with them requesting improvements/alterations with their plans. They have made some concessions. For example, they have agreed to lower the number of docks from 300 to 49.

LACA has heard more from our membership on the proposed Four Seasons development than any other development in recent memory. This along with the proposed location of a commercial endeavor on such an environmentally fragile section of the lake caused our board to poll our membership to determine the views of our membership and whether our membership thinks we should take a position on this particular development.

The poll was conducted over 3 days, and we had an overwhelming response with close to 400 members expressing a view. We had numerous productive comments as well. Over 93% of or members opposed the development and over 91% of our members fell that we should officially oppose the development. The results are summarized below:

LACA recently met with staff of the planning commission to express our concerns with the development and share some of our suggestions. If you would like to see the Power Point Presentation that was made on your behalf, there is a link to the presentation on our website here.

greg.baker@lakeannavirginia.org

By Irene Luck – June 2021

Do you know someone around Lake Anna who consistently works to keep the natural beauty we enjoy here preserved for future generations?  Is there someone who advocates for the lake consistently under the cover of anonymity or without lot of fanfare?  Consider nominating them for the 2021 Jack Bertron Distinguished Service Award.

Each year, the LACA board solicits nominations for the Jack Bertron Distinguished Service Award which is presented at the annual meeting in July.  Nominations can come from board members or from the general membership.

When the recognition was first given in 1996, a few years after the Lake Anna Civic Association was formed, it was called the “Good Neighbor Award” but in 2002 after the death of LACA’s founder Jack Bertron Sr. the honor was renamed to recognize him.

Bertron saw a need to unite the lake community which covers three governmental jurisdictions to protect and preserve the beauty of the lake and to work towards common goals despite the different leaderships.

Over the years the honor has been bestowed on numerous supporters and friends of Lake Anna, not just LACA members, and continues to recognize those who strive to keep Lake Anna a great place to live and recreate.  They include the Department of Conservation and Recreation, representatives of the Department of Environmental Quality and boards of supervisors’ members.

Nominees may be individuals or organizations who have exhibited an outstanding effort on behalf of either LACA or the Lake Anna community in general.  Those activities should reflect the mission of LACA to preserve and protect the cleanliness, beauty and safe use of Lake Anna and its watershed through communication, advocacy, education, and community involvement.

Nominees for the award will be accepted through June 30, 2021 and may be submitted to Greg Baker, president, at greg.baker@lakeannavirginia.org or Irene Luck, webmaster, at irene.luck@lakeannavirginia.org. 

When submitting a nomination, please include a summary of the nominee’s activities on behalf of LACA or the lake and please include your contact information should we have further questions.

A complete list of winners can be found on the LACA website here and more specific qualifications is also available here.

This year’s honoree will be recognized with a plaque at the annual meeting currently scheduled for Saturday, July 31.  For more information or if you have questions, contact Irene Luck at irene.luck@lakeannavirginia.org

By Rick Nehrboss - June 2021

Coming to your inbox soon!

We are in the process of putting the final touches on the 2021 LACA Membership survey to send out to all members later this month. We cannot overemphasize how important your feedback from the survey will be to us and would love for you to take 18 minutes out of your busy lives to complete it!  If you have a family membership, you both can fill out a survey, and we understand that even family members may have differences in opinion!

There are several reasons why LACA conducts our biennial survey. The first and probably most important reason is to inform our strategic planning process. The survey results help us see the bigger picture. The second reason is to guide LACA’s budget decisions concerning the allocation of scarce resources. The data we receive from the survey helps us lobby the local governments for additional resources and gives us an indication of which programs may need more or fewer resources. Third, the survey results allow us to measure our performance. Are we communicating efficiently and effectively? Are our programs and information dissemination methods meeting our member’s expectations? Fourth, the survey is yet another means for the

LACA leadership to engage our members about the Lake Anna community. Finally, the survey allows our members to have a voice, and tell the LACA leadership what is important to you and

your family.

We send out this survey every two years, and this year the survey is organized based upon our LACA committees with the following questions:

● Water Quality (Questions 1-6)

● Environmental Preservation (Questions 7-10)

● Emergency Services and Safety (Questions 11-15)

● Land Use (Questions 16-17)

● Membership and Marketing (Questions 18-23)

● General Topics (Fireworks, Annual Meeting and Comments) (Questions 24-31)

We will compile the survey responses and present the results at the upcoming annual meeting and your comments and opinions will help shape our programs and activities for the next two years! We would love to get responses from all our members! Help us, help you enjoy Lake Anna!

rick.nehrboss@lakeannavirginia.org

By Jean McCormick – May 2021

About 95% of boaters fuel their boats before launching. Therefore, most of our boat engines are subjected to ethanol infused gasoline that is sold in most retail gas stations.

Ethanol is used as an “oxygenate” and is added to fuel to help reduce hydrocarbon emissions that cause air pollution. It is a highly refined grain alcohol, approximately 200 proof, that can be produced from natural products such as corn, sugar cane and wheat.  The term “ethanol blended fuel” or E10 refers to fuel that contains 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline.

Ethanol is also used to enhance the octane rating of gasoline. Higher octane gas resists detonation. So, it burns rather than explodes. But raising the octane level of gas is expensive. Therefore, premium fuel costs more than regular unleaded. Ethanol molecules contain oxygen, which allows the engine to more completely combust the fuel. That results in fewer emissions and less environmental pollution.

Most marine engine manufacturers suggest that 10% or less ethanol gasoline be used in their products.

However, there are three main problems with ethanol:

1.   Since ethanol is an alcohol, it can dry out rubber compounds in your fuel system. This can lead to cracked and brittle fuel lines, floats and seals. If that causes a gas leak, an ignition spark can cause an explosion.

2.   Ethanol likes water. Gas with added ethanol can attract and absorb about 10 times as much water and still burn through the engine. Water can enter when fuel containers are filled. That mix can cause corrosion of internal parts and condensation. When water comes into contact with ethanol blended fuel, the fuel and water can separate to form distinct layers in your tank. The upper gasoline layer will be depleted of ethanol and have a reduced octane level. The lower layer becomes a corrosive mix of water and ethanol. An engine won’t run on this water soaked, highly corrosive ethanol solution which ultimately can sink to the bottom of the tank. This situation usually requires that you drain and clean the tank before refilling it with fresh, hopefully, ethanol-free gasoline. 

3.   Ethanol is a powerful solvent, and, over time, it can dissolve fiberglass fuel tanks. It also reacts with fuel filters and carburetors. Ethanol is an excellent cleaner, but at levels found in E10 gas, it can act as a solvent that can clean sludge but can also dissolve polymers (term used to describe plastics). This could stop your engine!

On the other hand, non-ethanol gas lasts much longer while in storage. It is not as likely to succumb to oxidation or evaporation. If stored properly, ethanol-free gas can last up to six months without deterioration. This six-month shelf life makes ethanol -free gas ideal for use in seasonal boat engines. E10 gas has a three month or less, shelf life before the deterioration process begins.

If you find yourself having to use E10 gas in your boat or any other small engine that is seasonal and sits for periods of time, think about the following tips:

•  Never use E10 gas that is over 90 days old. Ethanol shortens the shelf life and old gas is likely to absorb water and cause problems.

•  Limit sludge build up. Keep up with your maintenance schedule, changing filters, etc.

•  Take care of problems immediately. Repetitive performance issues such as a carburetor that is continually fouling needs a proactive approach.

•  Drain fuel, replace with fresh—ethanol free—gas, if possible. Use quality fuel treatment to counter act some of the effects of ethanol in the gas. But read labels carefully—-many fuel additives contain ethanol or other alcohol products.

•  The best additives do not have alcohol in them.  A quality fuel additive treatment should combine combustion improvement, alcohol free protection, and detergents in a single product.  The best products have excellent non-alcohol-based water absorbing ingredients. These additives improve fuel efficiency that has been lost to ethanol, improve engine performance and cut engine emissions. These products also clean your injectors, valves and other engine parts that may be fouled due to ethanol’s solvency sludge deposits.

Following these tips should help your boat engine run well, even if fueled with E10 gasoline.

By Steve Shubick - May 2021

As we all know, Lake Anna is a great place. Whether you want to boat, fish, swim, camp, relax or just enjoy time away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, our lake is a great spot. But the Lake Anna Civic Association needs your help to make sure the lake continues to offer this great lifestyle.

The pandemic brought more people than ever to the lake last summer as people looked for a way to enjoy family and friends while still social distancing and staying safe. Even though COVID is waning, all indications are this year will be another busy year.

An important part of LACA’s mission is to serve as the voice of our membership to ensure the lake continues to be the best it possibly can be. Both now and in the years to come. We all know there is strength in numbers, and the best way to make our voice speak as loudly as possible is to increase our membership.

LACA has begun our Drive To 1000 membership campaign.  Increasing our membership is key to our success when promoting the issues we believe are important to the long-term health and wellbeing of the Lake Anna area.

We want you to tell your friends, neighbors, and anyone else who enjoys the lake about the benefits of being a LACA member, and we’re willing to pay you to help us spread the word.  

Direct prospective members to our website and have them sign up for membership (https://www.lakeannavirginia.org/join-now). Just be sure to tell them to list you in the “referred by” field.  For every new member that lists you as the referring member, we’ll enter your name into a drawing for a $500 gift card from a local business or restaurant. Get four new members, get four entries into the drawing. And if they sign up for multiple years (at our discounted rate), you’ll get an extra entry for each additional year. 

And to sweeten the pot even more, for every four members you refer, you’ll get a $50 gift card. And we’ll even pay a $100 cash prize to the current member who gets the most total new members!!  We’ll hand out these prizes as soon as we reach our goal of 1000 total members.

Ask any realtor in the area and they’ll tell you that our community is growing at an unprecedented rate.  LACA plays an important part making sure that growth is well managed. We’re working on your behalf to learn more about what can be done to stop or reduce the harmful algae blooms (HAB) that seem to be increasing each year. We are in constant contact with state and local officials to make sure that new residential and commercial projects make sense for our area. We work with local law enforcement and safety organizations to help promote safe enjoyment of the lake.  And don’t forget, LACA is the organizer and sponsor of our great July 4^th fireworks!

As a LACA member, you know how important these and other issues are. Our membership drive is the best way you can be sure the lake is what we all want it to be, both now and in the years to come.

 

By Election Committee - May 2021

By LACA Election Committee - May 2021

Each year, LACA holds a general election and elects one half of its Officers and Regional Directors to a 2-year term.  Last year, LACA held a very successful election electronically and we will be doing the same this year.  Voting will be open from 15 June through 24 July, with results announced at the 31 July Annual Meeting.

The positions that will be on this year’s general election ballot will be: President, Treasurer, Regional Director for members residing in Spotsylvania County’s Partlow voting precinct, and Regional Director for members residing in Spotsylvania County’s Belmont voting precinct.

Normally, this year we would also be electing a Regional Director for LACA’s “private side” members; however, and due to a vacancy, a special election was held earlier this year and “private side” members elected Colleen Delawder to be their Regional Director.

Also, LACA has a vacancy in the Assistant Treasurer position so in conjunction with this year’s general election, a special election will be held to fill this opening. The position has one year remaining on its current term. Next year, the Assistant Treasurer position will be on the general election ballot for its full 2-year term.

LACA is actively seeking members to run for each elected position. In order to run for one of the two Regional Director positions, the candidate must own property in the region she is running.  Currently, there are no candidates running for the Partlow Regional Director or Assistant Treasurer positions.

Every member will be eligible to vote for the President, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer positions but only those members who own property in the Partlow or Belmont precincts will be eligible to vote for their respective Regional Director.    

It’s never too early to be thinking about volunteering to be on LACA’s board.  Next year, LACA will be holding elections for Vice President; Secretary; Assistant Treasurer; Regional Director for members residing in Spotsylvania County’s Brokenburg voting precinct; Regional Director for members residing in Louisa County’s Mineral and Louisa voting precincts; and Regional Director for members residing on the “public side” of Louisa County’s Bumpass, Elk Creek and Fredricks Hall voting precincts.

Please seriously consider becoming a LACA board member.  To get more information or discuss the responsibilities of this year’s or next year’s elected positions, please contact one of the Election Committee Members:

Joe Bailey                (540) 223-5120                joe.bailey@lakeannavirginia.org

Alan Bennett            (703) 623-6028                alan.bennett@lakeannavirginia.org        

Allan Lassiter           (804) 869-7000                allan.lassiter@lakeannavirginia.org

By Pamela Hahn - May 2021

Are you aware that carbon monoxide poses a danger while boating?  Many people assume that because they are outside, there is no possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning.  Sadly, this is just not true.  

As boaters on Lake Anna, we should all be aware of the risks associated with carbon monoxide.  Many, if not all carbon monoxide poisonings are totally preventable. 

How many times have you, a family member or friend, complained of feeling tired, having a headache, or feeling queasy, after a long day on the lake?  Have you, like hundreds of other people, attributed those feelings to too much sun, fun, and alcohol?  Would you be surprised to know that you may have actually been suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning?

Did you know that boaters are injured or killed by carbon monoxide every year?  This odorless, colorless and tasteless gas can sicken or kill you inside or outside your boat.

Federal Officials have known for years that carbon monoxide can reach deadly levels inside of houseboats.  Evidence has been found in the last several years that carbon monoxide can accumulate in deadly concentrations behind ski and wakeboard boats.  Did you know that there is also evidence that carbon monoxide levels can be dangerous behind personal watercraft as well? 

According to the United States Coast Guard, carbon monoxide from boating was responsible for 5 deaths and 31 poisonings in 2019.  Shockingly, these numbers may actually be higher.  Over the years, there have been deaths attributed to heart attack or drowning that actually may have been due to carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Activities that increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning include “teak surfing”.  This is when a swimmer hangs onto a powerboat’s swimming platform while being towed through the water, eventually letting go when the wake is large enough for body surfing. Swim decks are located where deadly exhaust fumes are accumulating, creating dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.  This activity has been responsible for at least 11 deaths and multiple injuries due to carbon monoxide poisoning. This sport is now illegal in several states and the National Park System, but is still allowed in Virginia. Please be aware that this means that it is also potentially lethal to sit on a swim deck while engines are running and points to increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning during towed watersports.

Any gasoline powered boat engine produces carbon monoxide which can accumulate near the stern. These levels can become quite dangerous when boats are operating at low speed. This news should be of particular concern for those of us on Lake Anna due to the many no wake zones. 

The United States Coastguard published a leaflet in 2008 detailing the dangers of boating and carbon monoxide.  In it, they listed many real life scenarios of carbon monoxide poisonings.  The following one hit home: “...two women suffered carbon monoxide poisoning while swimming among a number of boats that were afloat in a cove at the far northern end of a lake. Boaters often gather there and leave engines and generators running, creating the potential for CO poisoning. The women were pulled from the water by off-duty firefighters. The women were breathing on their own but in an “altered stage of consciousness” because of carbon monoxide poisoning.”

 Please share this boat safety checklist with your friends and neighbors.  Let’s keep those we love safe from the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.