The following is a summary of the 2024 LKG Water Quality Project activities conducted by the LGA. 

Participants: LGA Environment Committee (LEC), Lake Environmental Monitors (LEM), and other LGA members

Date: January 1-December 31 2004

From January 1 through December 31, 2024, the  LGA LEC conducted water quality sampling at LKG Sampling of LKG Gaston involved E. coli and water clarity testing. Jeff Zimmer is the Water Quality Lead for the LGA LEC.

• The E.coli testing resulted in zero exceedances of human health standards for E. coli.
• Water clarity testing resulted in zero Secchi disk readings outside expected parameters.

From January 1 through December 31, the LGA LEC was involved with monitoring any significant concerns related to water quality at LKG. The LGA LEC coordinated with Dominion Energy regarding issues that had the potential to impact the LKG water quality. 

• Members of the LEC met with the new Dominion Reservoir Manager in 2024 to establish a working relationship and discuss topics of concern related to water quality. This included a discussion on invasive/noxious and native vegetation along with the Dominion Energy Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) that provides guidance on the management of aquatic vegetation in LKG. 
• The LEC supported having Dominion Energy provide a presentation to the LGA membership regarding the SMP in 2024.

From January 1 thru December 31, the LGA LEC coordinated with several of the County staff regarding Erosion & Sediment Control (E&SC) concerns from residential development along the LKG shoreline. John Franz is the E&SC Lead for the LGA LEC.

• The LGA LEC contacted the Warren County Planning Staff regarding improper ES&C control measures at 118 Warren Court. The issue was not resolved due to the position vacancy responsible for ES&C.
• The LGA LEC contacted the Warren County Planning Staff regarding improper ES&C control measures at 145 W Reflections Drive. The issue was eventually  resolved after multiple contacts with County personnel.
• The LGA LEC contacted the Warren County Planning Staff regarding improper ES&C control measures at the Serenity Shores Development. The issue was resolved.
• The LGA LEC contacted the Mecklenburg County Planning Staff regarding improper ES&C control measures at 118 Lake Forest Road. The issue was not resolved in a timely manner due to lack of developer/property owner response to Mecklenburg County.
• A LEC member contacted Brunswick County, VA DEQ, and VA DoF regarding ES&C issues in Paradise Cove on LKG. The source of the ongoing problem is timber logging on property along the LKG shoreline. This issue continues to be monitored.

The LGA LEC assisted the LGA leadership with information coordination and outreach to the public regarding the 2024 large commercial fire in South Hill VA that resulted in contaminated discharges to waterways in the LKG watershed. Based on inputs/data from both VA and NC regulatory agencies, there were no significant impacts to LKG water quality. 

The LGA LEC supported the 2024 LKG QWAC program by participating in the annual campaign event. The LEC provided a manned booth to engage the public on water quality topics and ongoing related activities supported by the LGA.

The LGA and the LGA LEC engaged with personnel involved in the Lake Anna/Smith Mtn Lake efforts to maintain water quality/aquatic vegetation at their respective lakes. As a result, the LGA LEC plans to develop some recommendations for future water quality testing activities at LKG.

Additional details on the above discussion and other related LGA LEC Water Quality Program efforts are available by contacting the LGA LEC Committee Chair.

Water Quality is one of four areas the Lake Environment Committee has identified as a primary focus. Currently the effort includes:

• E. coli testing (using Coliscan Easygel test kits) at specific locations, primarily in upper creek areas, during the late spring, summer and early fall months
• Water clarity testing (using a secchi disk) at specific locations on the lake 
• In addition, NCSU conducts more sophisticated water quality tests per the Lake Gaston Weed Control Council

Water, like everything else on Earth, including you, is full of bacteria. Some bacteria are beneficial and some are not. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract and feces of warm-blooded animals.  It is a member of the fecal coliform group of bacteria and is distinguished by its inability to break down easily.  This bacteria is a preferred indicator for freshwater recreation and its presence provides direct evidence of fecal contamination from warm-blooded animals. It can easily be transported in runoff from sources in the watershed. Potential sources are wildlife, farm animals or poorly maintained septic systems.  E. coli can get into the environment, and if contacted by people, can cause health problems and sickness. https://www.usgs.gov/

A simple water test for E. coli, "Easy Gel", is available form Microbiology Labs https://www.micrologylabs.com/ . Easygel  uses a patented Coliscan media, which is a  combination of color-producing chemicals and nutrients that mark coliforms,  E. coli appears in differing colors for easy identification.

The LGA Lake Environment Committee (LEC) has been using Easy Gel  to test Lake Gaston waters since 2017.  The LEC purchases a number of these testing kits and has made them available to members who wish to test Lake Gaston water near their residence, swimming area, and or HOA common areas. 

In 2024 the LEC will continue to focus testing on problem areas previously identified and some of the larger tributary creeks in the watershed. Results are compiled and provide useful data to demonstrate water quality.