Published: August 29, 2008 05:01 pm            

Project seeks to improve water quality at lake

Wister — (AP) — Environmental officials hope a pilot project on a southeastern Oklahoma lake could help mitigate effects of chicken litter that reaches the water.

The Poteau Valley Improvement Authority recently installed an aerator system and floating wetlands in Lake Wister’s Quarry Island Cove. The lake is located in Le Flore County, which produces more chicken litter than any other Oklahoma county.

Restoration ecologist Steven Patterson said the two components of the project work to improve the water’s taste and odor by removing algae blooms, which are caused by an overabundance of nutrients in the water — particularly phosphorus, which is found in chicken litter.

The air that is pumped into the water circulates it and adds oxygen. The plants are located on rafts, with their roots are designed to help process excess nutrients.

Officials want to monitor the project to determine its effectiveness, but say a lack of funding means only five gauges are in a lake covering 7,000 acres. Derek Smithee, the water quality division chief for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, said more gauges are needed.

Ken Hammond, the chairman of the Poteau Valley Improvement Authority, said a disparaging comment about the quality of the water in Lake Wister during a meeting of water quality officials spurred the agency to take action.

Authority officials met with state officials to develop the idea for the project. The federal Environmental Protection Agency gave $75,000 for the project, with the authority matching that amount.

The authority provides water for more than 40,000 people.

Those behind the project say if it proves successful, it could be used in other bodies of water affected by algae growth.

“Oxidizing holds a lot of promise for a lot of people, not just Lake Wister,” said Paul Koenig, the state water board’s environmental manager.

        

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