Western Courier

Issue date: 7/23/08 Section: News

Media Credit: WIU Visual Production Center Before her makeover, Lake Ruth was green and algae- ridden. Now it is clear and blue, just in time for the new school year.

Media Credit: WIU Visual Production Staff

Lake Ruth has once again been restored to its picturesque state - complete with a fountain - thanks to the dredging efforts undertaken by Western Illinois University Physical Plant staff earlier this summer.

But the question that might be in the minds of many - "Why is the water green?" - has an easy answer. According to Tara Beal, superintendent of grounds, Aquashadow, a blend of blue and yellow dye, has been added in an effort to control and prevent the re-establishment of algae. Aquashadow is specially formulated to shade out a portion of the sunlight spectrum that is required for algae and some aquatic weeds to grow.

"In addition to controlling algae growth, another important aspect of this colorant is that it will not harm fish or wildlife," she noted. "While it does add a unique color to the lake, its main purpose is to prevent the need for chemical herbicide treatment."

And to add a new twist to the upkeep of the newly revamped lake, Western Illinois University Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Timothy Spier, who is also a fish ecologist, has created a management plan for the lake, highlighting sustainable practices including restocking with native fish varieties.

"Lake Ruth is an important component of the WIU campus, and with proper management, it can continue to provide aesthetic and educational opportunities for years to come," Spier said. "Not only does this management opportunity provide me a way to serve the WIU community, it presents a great deal of hands-on experiences for my students in my fish management, ichthyology, limnology and animal ecology classes."

According to Spier, whose areas of expertise includes fish and pond management and the use of GIS technology in ecosystem management, since the overflow of the lake ultimately ends up in the east fork of the Lamoine River, only native fish species will be stocked to avoid populating the river with non-native varieties.

"While initial stockings are important, the most important factor in determining the quality of a small pond is how much effort goes into management and monitoring of the pond each year," he explained. "The fish stocking I'm suggesting is nontraditional and the fish community would have to be sampled periodically to determine which species are thriving. Water quality would also need to be checked to ensure that the fish have an adequate habitat."

Examples of native species include Bluegills or Red-Ear Sunfish, Orange-Spotted Sunfish, Blackstripe Top Minnow, Fathead Minnow, Golden Shiner and the Northern Hogsucker. An added benefit of the Blackstripe Top Minnow, Spier added, is that these fish consume mosquito larvae.

"We are so pleased that Dr. Spier has stepped forward to lend his expertise. Our plans are to restock Lake Ruth after temperatures drop a bit and the water cools," Beal said. "His efforts, along with his students, will ensure that Lake Ruth remains a suitable habitat for fish and wildlife, as well as remain a beautiful campus landmark."

The Lake Ruth restoration began in May 2008. More than 2,000-cubic-yards (roughly 2,500 tons) of sediment were removed from the lake after an extensive draining process. The sediment was transported to the University Farm where it has been used for fertilizer.

As part of the project, aquatic animals were relocated and Physical Plant personnel also took great care to preserve the trees surrounding the lake, particularly what is known as the Lake Ruth Sycamore.

According to D.K. Wells, Physical Plant civil engineer III, Lake Ruth required approximately 500,000 gallons of water to fill it to the appropriate level. Mother Nature took care of this aspect of the project thanks to a few heavy rains; therefore, supplemental water sources were not needed.

To complete the restoration project, native flowers and grasses will be planted along the shoreline during the Fall 2008 We Care event, which is set for the week of Oct. 13. In addition, benches will be installed around the lake, as well as a split-rail fence around the Lake Ruth Sycamore, Beal added.

Lake Ruth was created in 1908 by John M. Keefer, a local businessman and head of the campus grounds committee, who developed this campus landmark by damming up a small ravine. Clara Bayliss, the wife of Western President Alfred Bayliss, was asked to name the lake and suggested Lake Ruth, in honor of Keefer's daughter.

"The Lake Ruth project captured the interest of the campus and the Macomb communities this summer, and it was nice to see everyone's concern about the preservation of this familiar campus icon, as well as for the fish and wildlife that made their home at Lake Ruth," said Jackie Thompson, vice president of administrative services.

"This was a true collaborative effort between academic departments and our campus units. I am so proud of the landscape maintenance department and the design and coordination efforts of D.K. and Tara. I also want to extend a special thank you to Dr. Spier for coming forward with a Lake Ruth maintenance plan and to Agriculture Department Chair Dr. Bill Bailey for working with Physical Plant and providing a location to deposit the sediment removed from Lake Ruth.

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