The following is a summary of the 2024 LKG Volunteer Aquatic Vegetation Survey Project conducted by the LGA in support of the LGWCC. 

Participants: LGA Volunteers, LEC Survey Quadrant Coordinators, NCSU staff

Date: August 15 - October 31, 2024

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.

LGA Volunteer hours value was calculated at $31.64/hour (per Independent Sector data at https://independentsector.org/resource/value-of-volunteer-tim