Duckweed

[mike rieman]

I'm sure it's been discussed here, but I'm a newcomer to the group,
Not to Barton Springs, I'm going on 55 years of swimming there.
Regarding the topic: as everyone knows, the duckweed floating at the
top this summer is a bit out of control. It certainly entangles my
lazy-old mile (45 minute variety) Back in the "good old days" I could
at least swim through the algae blooms without feeling like I'd just
been through the briar patch. Any news, thoughts?

Regards,
Mike Rieman

[Steve Barnick]

Was at the pool today and saw what you are talking about. It is a
product of hot weather, low flow. We took a lot of it out today during
the volunteer pool cleaning but unfortunately it will keep coming back
till we get a weather change. Very weird day with a wind blowing
upstream and the low flow all the debris from cleaning was actually
traveling to the upstream dam. Made for a long day of cleaning at the
shallow end. Also the BSP staff put a lot of effort in removing some
of the nuisance weeds and sediment I hope it clears up by tomorrow,
not much hope for tonight I am afraid.

Regards,
Steve

[Robin Cravey]

Hi Mike-
We're focused on this problem, and we're working with the staff to deal with it.
You may be aware that we sponsor a volunteer cleaning party on the first Thursday of each month. That's a good time to come out and help take care of the pool while learning about the challenges.
Specifically concerning the plantlife, one challenge is to be able to clean that out while avoiding any harassment of the salamander.
Regards
-Robin

Robin Cravey, president
Friends of Barton Springs Pool
807 Brazos St. Ste. 406
Austin, Texas 78701

pres...@friendsofbartonspringspool.org
512-236-9655

[Mike Rieman]

Thanks for your reply and good work, Steve. I'll be enjoying your scrubbed walls tomorrow! I'm amazed we have any flow at all, right now. Best, MR

Sent from my iPhone

[Steve Barnick]

Just checked the USGS site and the flow rate at the pool is 21 cubic
feet per second. Milestones to put that in perspective: At 51-54 fps
the pool cannot be drained because it will cause Eliza springs to dry
up and threaten the survival of the salamanders. Median flow rate is
58 fps. Recorded low was 13 fps(2009) Recorded high was 124(1992).
High seems off since I remember some flow rates in the 140-150 range
awhile back.

Here is the link:
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/uv/?site_no=08155500&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060

Later,
Steve

On Sep 1, 10:07 pm, Mike Rieman <mrie...@austin.rr.com> wrote:
> Thanks for your reply and good work, Steve. I'll be enjoying your scrubbed walls tomorrow! I'm amazed we have any flow at all, right now.   Best, MR
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>

[mike rieman]

Thanks, Robin. I look forward to helping out on Thursdays when I have
time.

On Sep 2, 6:25 am, Robin Cravey <ro...@robincravey.com> wrote:
> Hi Mike-
> We're focused on this problem, and we're working with the staff to deal with it.
> You may be aware that we sponsor a volunteer cleaning party on the first Thursday of each month.  That's a good time to come out and help take care of the pool while learning about the challenges.
> Specifically concerning the plantlife, one challenge is to be able to clean that out while avoiding any harassment of the salamander.
> Regards
> -Robin
>
> Robin Cravey, president
> Friends of Barton Springs Pool
> 807 Brazos St. Ste. 406
> Austin, Texas 78701
>

> presid...@friendsofbartonspringspool.org