Primary areas of focus including water quality, habitat enhancement, aquatic vegetation enhancement, and other Lake Gaston-related environmental issues.
From August 15, 2024, through October 31, 2024, LGA volunteers, NCSU Staff, and LEC personnel conducted an aquatic vegetation survey of the Lake Gaston shoreline. This involves surveying approximately 350 miles of shoreline by power boat, jet ski, or kayak/canoe. Additional equipment used to conduct the survey included:
double sided rake attached to 20ft of rope
handheld electronic tablet with MDC software
aquatic vegetation identification booklet
The shoreline was broken into 100+ sections of 2-3 miles each. Rake toss samples were taken at 200+/- foot intervals and the results of invasive, noxious, and native vegetation was captured on handheld tablets using the MDC (GPS) software. The sampling data was uploaded to the “cloud” and will be assessed and analyzed by NCSU to model the results of the “state of aquatic vegetation” across Lake Gaston. This information will be used by NCSU and the TAG to identify annual aquatic vegetation management and treatment options for 2025. The LGWCC, in turn, makes the final decisions on the LKG 2025 aquatic vegetation management and treatment actions.
Approximately 120 LGA volunteers along with NCSU staff participated during the 75-day survey period. NCSU provided technical and management support for the planning and execution of the survey. The Lake was divided into 4 quadrants (Northwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest) to streamline the management of volunteers and equipment assignment. Typically Teams of 2-3 volunteers spent approximately 4 hours per survey section (100 sections of lake shoreline) on the water conducting the survey. In some cases, specific Teams surveyed multiple sections. In addition, pre/post-survey actions, such as training, and other logistics activities added approximately 1 hour of time for each section. There were 5 Survey Quadrant Coordinators (1 each NW, SE, SW, and 2 each NE due to size) that managed and assisted volunteers in conducting the survey. Each quadrant coordinator spent approximately 25 hours conducting survey support. NCSU staff also conducted surveys of portions of the lake shoreline as needed.
The table on the following page outlines the volunteer work hours executed and the approximate value of support for the project.
Paddling kayaks is a terrific way to participate in the annual LGA aquatic vegetation survey on Lake Gaston. Using kayaks to conduct the vegetation sampling allows access to locations on the lake and creeks that powerboats cannot easily get to. The upper areas on most creeks that feed into Lake Gaston are where we find a lot of aquatic vegetation – both native and invasive. By capturing the survey data in these locations, the Lake Gaston Weed Control Council and Lake Gaston Association in concert with the North Carolina State University can identify locations where treatment is required to reduce invasive plants and ensure a healthy lake ecosystem.
Tips for Conducting the Vegetation Survey with Kayaks
1. ALWAYS paddle safely! Wear life jackets and bring water, snacks and use sunscreen. Make sure someone knows where you are going in case of an unplanned incident.
2. The minimum number of people is 2, either in individual kayaks or in one tandem kayak. One person tosses the sampling rake, and the other person records the results on the electronic tablet. Another option is to use three people (either in 3 single kayaks or 1 single and 1 tandem) with 2 people rake tossing (hopscotching one another) and 1 person recording data. This helps speed the process. Finally, 4 people (in singles or tandems) can cover twice the sample area by paddling in opposite directions along the assigned route.
3. Finding a kayak launch/recovery location close to your assigned sample route to is important to reduce the time and effort spent getting to and from the area.
4. Kayaks are best suited for sampling in creek and cove areas that typically have shallow water where boats and PWCs cannot easily access.
5. Rake throws are best accomplished in kayaks using a cross body throw technique. This helps maintain a stable kayak to prevent getting dunked.
6. Use the provided electronic tablet protector w/neck strap to prevent dropping it in the lake.
7. You will likely get some water and mud in/on your kayak during rake tosses and recovery. Bring a chamois or sponge to bail water if necessary.
8. If you plan to use kayaks to support the vegetation survey, be sure to annotate it on the volunteer signup sheet. John Franz is the “LGA Kayak Strike Team” contact for assistance or questions regarding using kayaks to support the vegetation survey. John can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 410.507.4166.
9. Most importantly have fun – paddling while doing the vegetation survey is a great to enjoy the water and accomplish something important!
Lyngbya, a blue-green algae, is a filamentous cyanobacterium that has become increasingly problematic in southeastern waterways including North Carolina and Virginia. This species can produce robust, mat-like formations that persist year-round along the bottom of a system, but as summer water temperatures rise, they begin to proliferate upwards through the entire water column. These unsightly and problematic mats can negatively impact aquatic ecosystems, impede recreational activities, and depreciate the aesthetic value of waterfront properties. Lyngbya may also produce organic compounds that create foul odors and negatively alter the taste of drinking water. In some cases, this species may produce cyanotoxins which most commonly result in skin rashes after contact. Chelated-copper based algaecides remain the preferred control option for lyngbya, however effective treatment protocols require four to six consecutive monthly algaecide treatments to occur over multiple years. The success of treatments is also directly correlated with lyngbya growth and colonization, therefore, the timeline for achieving control is increased with greater infestation levels. Lyngbya may spread by attaching to watercraft, animals, or through simple water movement via floating surface mats and can re-establish itself from a small amount of living material, further compounding management efforts. Lyngbya is classified as a noxious aquatic species and is listed in the 2015 North Carolina Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan as a priority for management and control.
HISTORY OF LYNGBYA IN LAKE GASTON
Lyngbya was first identified in Lake Gaston in the mid 1990’s but has increased within the reservoir over the past decade. In 2012, approximately 230 acres of lyngbya were reported in Lake Gaston with continued increase to 1,377 acres in 2024. In 2017, the Lake Gaston Weed Control Council (LGWCC) began funding research focused on developing an effective management protocol for lyngbya within Lake Gaston, as well as, to better understand factors that influence its distribution and growth. In 2021, a successful lyngbya treatment program was initiated on Lake Gaston and subsequently the LGWCC funded 300 acres of treatment in 2021 and 375 acres in both 2022 and 2023. The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) has recommended the LGWCC treat up to 500 acres of lyngbya in 2024. However, treatment costs put a budgetary constraint on lyngbya acreage that the LGWCC can treat annually.
If you have lyngbya in the lake around your community and the location is not part of the annual LGWCC treatment plan, work with your HOA or neighbors to see if private treatments are feasible.
Make sure your elected officials are aware of your concerns with lyngbya in Lake Gaston and they are fully committed to funding management efforts to control the algae. While all 5 counties around Lake Gaston, both states and the City of Virginia Beach have committed to supporting the LGWCC to manage noxious/invasive aquatic vegetation, there have been instances where full annual funding has not been forthcoming by some jurisdictions.
Volunteer with the Lake Gaston Association and participate in the annual Habitat Enhancement Project (occurs every June) and the annual Aquatic Vegetation Survey (occurs every fall during late August through the end of October). See the LGA website for additional information: https://www.lgancva.com/
If you would like to report an issue regarding aquatic plant species at Lake Gaston, NC/VA, use the link below to a Goggle Form that when submitted will be sent to the NCSU Lake Gaston Extension Associate. Reported issues will be evaluated and considered in any future management plans conducted by the Lake Gaston Weed Control Council (LGWCC). In some cases the NCSU Extension Associate, LGWCC member or LGA volunteer may reach out for follow up. In accordance with the Dominion's Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) and applicable federal/state regulations, invasive, noxious and nuisance vegetation are managed by the LGWCC.
The management of native species are tightly controlled and not authorized except in specific instances as identified in the SMP. The management of Water Willow is currently prohibited per the SMP. However, by adding your information related to native species to the database, it will be available if management actions for native species are permitted in the future.
The 2023 LGA Volunteer Aquatic Vegetation Survey wrapped up the last week of October. The survey was conducted by approximately 100 LGA volunteers that surveyed nearly 350 miles of shoreline. There are 114 survey sections, 100 that were completed by the LGA volunteers - the other 14 sections were surveyed by North Carolina State University (NCSU) staff. The LGA volunteers invested nearly 500 hours of time with a “value” of approximately $15,000 to complete the survey. There was a myriad of aquatic plant species sampled, identified, and documented as part of the effort. Native plants such as water willow, American white-water lily, watershield, arrowhead and others were documented in various locations on the lake. In addition, invasive/noxious species such as lyngbya and hydrilla were also documented in locations around the lake. The LGA volunteer survey is a critical component of the larger effort to manage aquatic vegetation at Lake Gaston.
LGA volunteer Judy Waters enters survey data into a handheld tablet.
LGA volunteer John Franz tosses a survey rake to collect a vegetation sample.
Over the next several months, the data collected during the survey will be compiled and analyzed by NCSU professionals looking for trends and changes in aquatic vegetation compared to prior year surveys. The NCSU Team will apply sound scientific principles to look for areas on the lake where invasive/noxious vegetation may require additional management efforts to reduce the presence and spread of the undesirable species. Currently lyngbya and to a lessor extent hydrilla are the primary vegetation species of concern at the lake. The additional management efforts can include chemical treatments, biological controls, and continued monitoring. The NCSU Team will prepare a technical report, including suggested preliminary priority treatment areas, with the results of their assessment sent on to the Lake Gaston Technical Advisory Group (TAG).
The TAG is made up of science professionals from various agencies including the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, NC Department of Environmental Quality & Natural Resources, VA Department of Wildlife Resources, VA Department of Environmental Quality, US Army Corps of Engineers, along with academic organizations NCSU, Virginia Tech, Mississippi State University, and others. Dominion Energy, the operator of Lake Gaston and owner of the land where the aquatic vegetation occurs is also a member of the TAG. The TAG will evaluate the NCSU report and develop recommendations for 2024 aquatic vegetation management actions, including any revisions to the proposed priority treatment areas, as well as identify any longer-term strategies needed to maintain the water quality at Lake Gaston.
The recommendations developed by the TAG will then be reviewed by the “Pete Deschenes” Stakeholders Board which is made up of various stakeholders from across the Lake Gaston region along with other outside organizations. The Stakeholders Board will identify any concerns and provide inputs to the TAG recommendations and forward the results to the Lake Gaston Weed Control Council (LGWCC).
The LGWCC is the organization, made up of elected officials and appointed personnel from the five counties around Lake Gason, is responsible for approving the NCSU reports and TAG recommendations. The LGWCC uses funding from the five counties, the State of North Carolina, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the City of Virginia Beach to execute contracts for Lake Gaston aquatic vegetation treatment actions and supporting studies. The funding received by the LGWCC is only enough to treat areas of invasive/noxious species across the lake that are of higher priority based on the scientific analysis and assessments. For other locations where aquatic vegetation treatment may be desirable, but not included in the priority areas, HOAs or individual property owners may want to work with licensed applicators to conduct private treatments. Under the Dominion Energy Shoreline Management Plan only approved/licensed chemical applicators are authorized to treat aquatic vegetation on Lake Gaston.
Typically, the entire process of aquatic vegetation analysis/assessment, report development, reviews, recommendations, and final decisions is complete in late winter or early spring. The timing of the process aligns with the need to implement any treatment /management actions in the April timeframe for lyngbya and June timeframe for hydrilla. For additional information please refer to the LGWCC website at http://www.lgwcc.org/
