Lake Papakeechie Sustainability Initiative

An Aerial Photograph of Lake Papakeechie, Syracuse, Indiana

History

The Lake Papakeechie Sustainability Initiative (LaPSI) was founded by Anthony S. Serianni in 2012, in collaboration with an advocate on the Papakeechie Protective Association Board, Bernie Ebetino. The idea grew from Prof. Serianni's teaching of sustainability principles and practices in a Sustainability Gateway course embedded in the Sustainability Minor started at Notre Dame in 2011, and from his personal interest in Lake Papakeechie.

Lake Papakeechie is a 179-acre private, non-sports lake in Syracuse, Indiana (Kosciusko County). The lake is part of a three-lake interconnected water system comprising Syracuse Lake, Lake Wawasee and Lake Papakeechie. The Tri-County State Preserve lies directly south of Lake Papakeechie. Since the complete water system lies north of the Continental Divide, waters from the Tri-County Preserve flow northward and into the above-noted three-lake system, and from there into the St. Joseph River. To explore the direction of flow of streams and rivers in the United States, see Streamer.

Mission

LaPSI serves all of the residents of Lake Papakeechie, represented by the Papakeechie Protective Association, as an environmental information resource to promote a healthy, vibrant, beautiful, and sustainable ecosystem at Lake Papakeechie and its environs, including its watershed, through the use of modern and diverse scientific tools and methods.

Vision

To serve as a key technical information resource and advisory group to the Papakeechie Protective Association (PPA), and its Board, on matters related to the health of the Lake Papakeechie ecosystem as assessed by modern scientific methods; to engage with local, state, and national individuals, groups and organizations on lake management approaches and methods; to witness continuous improvement in the quality of life in and on Lake Papakeechie over the coming decade and beyond; to insure that Lake Papakeechie remains a desirable and thriving community for future generations of all life on the lake; to respond to, and manage, events of nature (e.g., climate change) in a manner that secures and ensures a viable long-term future for the lake and its diverse ecosystems.

Principles of Operation

To fulfill its mission and vision, LaPSI employs multiple approaches and methods, including but not limited to: (a) the collection, analysis, archiving and communicating of scientific data on water quality, and on other biological and ecological parameters; (b) responsible applications of contemporary management, control and conservation measures; (c) consistent monitoring and assessment of aquatic and non-aquatic microorganisms, plants and animals; (d) supporting and promoting sustainable behaviors and activities by lake residents with respect to use of the lake as a natural resource and source of pleasure; and (e) ensuring and promoting the private character of Lake Papakeechie.

Incorporation

LaPSI was incorporated in the State of Indiana on March 15, 2017 as a domestic nonprofit corporation, and a Certificate of Incorporation has been issued. On June 29, 2017, LaPSI was granted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. LaPSI, Inc. ByLaws and Conflict of Interest Policy are found below.

• LaPSI, Inc. ByLaws Download
• LaPSI, Inc. Conflict of Interest Policy. Download

Members and Contact Information

Current Leadership

• Diane Tulloh - Group Leader (dtulloh@gmail.com)
• Virginia Surso - Treasurer (sursov@aol.com)

Current Members and Their Primary Activities

• Bernie Ebetino (ebetinob@gmail.com)
• Kendall Floyd (kendall.floyd@rockets.utoledo.edu): PPA website
• Jody Hedges (jodyandmac@gmail.com): water testing
• Mac Hedges (jodyandmac@gmail.com)
• Charlotte Hill (rjohill1@hotmail.com): invasive plants
• Jan Laurent (jlaurentmusic@gmail.com): water testing
• Mark Laurent (mdlaurent@aol.com): Lake Papakeechie Wiki page
• Anthony Serianni (aseriann@nd.edu): scientific consultant, LaPSI website
• Ann Serianni (serianni@gmail.com)
• Virginia Surso (sursov@aol.com): publicity
• Diane Tulloh (dtulloh@gmail.com): overall LaPSI management, water testing

Past Leadership

• Anthony Serianni - Group Leader, 2012-2014

LaPSI Consultants

Achieved and Aspirational Goals, Activities and Studies

1. Develop and implement a Lake Management Plan

2. Background Studies

• (a) Study human and animal populations, and agricultural activities, on/near lake; identify and evaluate land usage in the Papakeechie watershed.
  
• (b) Prepare a bathymetric (depth) map of the lake. Click here to download this map created by John Hart and Hannah Becker in the summer of 2013 using LaPSI sounding equipment and associated data-processing software.

3. Identify and address potential lake environmental factors/issues/problems, including: weeds/algae/invasive plant growth and management; noise control; fish (size, number and species distribution); shoreline management; litter/rubbish removal; wildlife control; water level; effects from runoff/seepage.

4. Implement a systematic water testing program, including: dissolved O₂; temperature as function of depth; nutrient analysis, including total phosphorus, nitrogen, and chlorophyll a; water transparency (Secchi); water hardness; pH; sedimentation; bacterial load (E. coli).

5. Identify and evaluate intervention options chemical/biological control of vegetation physical harvesting of vegetation: alien/invasive species control (fish and/or plant); agricultural runoff land purchases for protective purposes.

6. Develop a plan for shoreline maintenance and development to promote shoreline ecology, natural beauty, and sustain/improve property values.

7. Conduct a fish census; consider stocking options.

8. Maintain an up-to-date website to disseminate information, and prepare and distribute an annual newsletter to lake residents summarizing meeting discussions, scientific data and an analysis/interpretation thereof; provide advice and guidelines for the protection and enhancement of the lake and its watershed.

9. Identify and secure funding to cover costs associated with the implementation of the Management Plan; recruit volunteers in the lake community to help with data collection.

10. Develop professional relationships with existing lake management groups and organizations within the county, state and country, including the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation (WACF), the Indiana Clean Lakes Program, the Indiana Lakes Management Society (ILMS), and the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS).

11. Develop working relationships with local colleges/universities and other institutions to promote the development of a LaPSI Advisory Board, and promote joint activities and projects. The local colleges and universities include the University of Notre Dame, Holy Cross College, St. Mary's College, Goshen College, Indiana University-South Bend, Bethel College and Grace College.

• 2016 Aquatic Vegetation Sampling Report - Lake Papakeechie (November 15, 2016). This work was commissioned jointly by the PPA and LaPSI. Download
• 2016 Fish Survey Report - Lake Papakeechie (December 12, 2016). This work was commissioned jointly by the PPA and LaPSI. Download

• Sumary Report to the PPA Board on LaPSI Activities for the Period 2012-2016. Download

• 1. Topographical Map of Lake Papakeechie and Its Southern Environs (Tri-County State Preserve). This is a low-resolution map suitable for fast downloading but not suitable for high-res printing. If you desire a map suitable for printing and mounting, contact A. Serianni at aseriann@nd.edu. Download
• 2. Lake Wawasee-Turkey Creek Watershed Map. Download
• 3. Indiana's Eight Digit HUC Watershed Map. Download
• 4. St. Joseph River Watershed 4-Digit HUC Extensions (Map). Download
• 5. Aerial Map of Lake Papakeechie (one-meter resolution). This is a small low-resolution map suitable for fast downloading but not for high-res printing. If you desire a larger map suitable for printing and mounting, contact A. Serianni at aseriann@nd.edu. Download
• 6. Tri-County Fish and Wildlife (state preserve) map. Download

• 1. Wawasee Area Watershed Management Plan, 2007. This is a large document and may take time to download. Download
• 2. Volunteer Stream Monitoring, Training Manual 2015. Hoosier Riverwatch. This is a large document and may take time to download. Download
• 3. Aquatic Invasive Species - Plants. Indiana Department of Natural Resources. This site provides extensive information on how to visually identify specific invasive plants common to Indiana lakes, and information on how to manage and/or prevent their growth in lakes. Multiple downloadable pdfs on specific invasive plant species (see three examples below) are available. Connect to IDNR Invasive Plant site.

• 4. Plant Identification Chart. This material was obtained from the Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society. Download
• 5. Grace College Lake Study 2007. Download
• 6. Supplement to Grace College Lake Study 2007: Lake Papakeechie Report. Download
• 7. Supplement to Grace College Lake Study 2007: Lake Wawasee Report. Download
• 8. Citizen Lake-Monitoring Program: Instruction Manual. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, February 2008. Download
• 9. Interpreting Lake Data. B. Jones, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University. Indiana Clean Lakes Program. Download
• 10. Understanding Lake Data. Byron Shaw, Christine Mechenich and Lowell Klessig, UW Extension, 2004. Download

Test Equipment in Operation:

• 1. Water Clarity. Watermark Professional Secchi Disk Kit (heavy duty): 20-cm diameter, black/white quadrants, polycarbonate with nylon cable. Purchased from Fondriest Environmental.
  
  
• 2. Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Temperature Meter with Probe. YSI ProODO Optical DO and Temperature Instrument (with Data Manager PC software, USB cable and communication saddle; equipped with a YSI ODO probe and 30-m cable). Purchased from Xylem; manufactured by YSI Incorporated.
  
  
  • YSI ProODO Optical DO User Manual: Download
  • YSI DO Handbook: Download
  
  
• 3. Microbiological (E. coli). Coliscan™ Easygel™ (purchased from Micrology Laboratories LLC, Goshen, IN). The Coliscan™ Easygel™ medium contains a sugar that is linked to a dye which, when acted on by the enzyme, β-galactosidase (produced by coliforms including E. coli), turns the colony a pink color. A second sugar is also present in the medium that is linked to a different dye which produces a blue-green color when acted on by the enzyme, β-glucuronidase. Since E. coli produces β-galactosidase and β-glucuronidase, E. coli colonies produce a purple color (pink + blue). Exploiting the use of two dyes allows the test to differentiate and quantify coliforms and E. coli (i.e., total coliforms are determined by counting the pink and purple colonies).
  
  
  
  
  • Instructions for Coliscan™ Easygel™ Test: Download
  • Coliscan™ Easygel™ Colony Color Guide 1: Download
  • Coliscan™ Easygel™ Colony Color Guide 2: Download
  • Coliscan™ Easygel™ Test Validation (Wolfson, Michigan State University): Download
  
  

Test Equipment Under Evaluation:

• 4. Orthophosphate (PO₄^-3).
  • a. Hanna Instruments HI96713C Low-Range Phosphate Portable Photometer Kit. Range: 0-2.5 mg/L P_i. Purchased from Amazon.
  • b. Hannah Instruments HI96717C High-Range Phosphate Portable Photometer Kit. Range: 0-30 mg/L P_i. Purchased from Amazon.
• 5. Nitrate (NO₃^-1).
  • a. Hanna Instruments HI96786C Nitrate Portable Photometer Kit. Range: 0-100 mg/L. Purchased from Amazon.
  • b. Water Nitrate Test Kit (Standard Range and Low Range) (Simplified). This is an enzyme-based test using nitrate reductase and NADH. Purchased from NECi. See the following documents for more information about this test.
    
    
    • Procedures to conduct the NECi nitrate test (low range): Download
    • Procedures to conduct the NECi nitrate test (standard range): Download
    • Literature paper discussing the NECi nitrate assay: Download
    
    
• 6. pH ([H⁺]). Instrument purchase under consideration (Summer 2015).

Ancillary Equipment:

• 7. Incubator/Oven (for Coliscan™ Easygel™ test). Boekel Economy Analog Incubator Model 132000 (0.8 cu. ft, 115V/50-60 Hz, see-through glass door). Purchased from Boekel Scientific.
  
  
  • Boekel Model 132000 Incubator User Manual: Download
  
  
• 8. Refrigerator (for Coliscan™ Easygel™ test). Haier HCR17W 1.7 cubic feet refrigerator/freezer. Purchased from Amazon.
  
  
  • Haier HCR17W User Manual: Download
  
  
• 9. Lowrance HDS5 GPS Unit (equipped with sonar probe).
  
  
  • Lowrance HDS5 GPS Unit Operating Manual: Download
  
  

Matters of Interest To PPA Board Members

• Lake Drawdown for Aquatic Plant Control. Environmental Fact Sheet, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, 2010. Download
• Effects of Water Levels on Ecosystems: An Annotated Bibliography. J. H. Wlosinski and E. R. Koljord, US Geological Survey, December 1996. Download
• Benefits and Impacts of Lake Level Drawdown. Dr. Goerge Knoecklein, 2009. Download
• Water Level Drawdown Affects Physical and Biogeochemical Properties of Littoral Sediments of a Reservoir and a Natural Lake. P. C. Furey. Lake and Reservoir Management, December 2004. Download

• Aquatic Plant Management: Best Management Practices in Support of Fish and Wildlife Habitat. Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation, January 2005. Download
• Review of Best Management Practices for Aquatic Vegetation Control in Stormwater Ponds, Wetlands, and Lakes. Auckland Council, August 2013. Download
• A Primer on Aquatic Plant Management. Download

• General Information on Fluridone (this information was obtained from the following web site: Mass.gov). Download
• FAQ Sheet on Fluridone (this information was obtained from the following web site: Cornell Cooperative Extension, Tompkins County, NY). Download
• Fluridone Ecological Risk Assessment - Final Report. ENSR International, 2005. Download
• Whole-Lake Fluridone Effects. R. A. Edgell, Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, 2007. Download

• Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan for the Years 2013-2017: Clear, Round and Anne Lakes, Steuben County, Indiana. R. Scribailo and M. Alix, Aquatic Restoration Systems, LLC and Biological Sciences, Purdue University North Central. Download
• Lake Tippecanoe Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan - 2012 Update. Aquatic Control, 2013. Download

• Indiana Draft 2016 303(d) List of Impaired Waters. Download

• A. Samsel and S. Seneff, “Glyphosate, Pathways to Modern Diseases IV: Cancer and Related Pathologies”, J. Biol. Phys. Chem. 2015, 15, 121-159. Download
• A. Samsel and S. Seneff, “Glyphosate, Pathways to Modern Diseases VI: Prions, Amyloidoses and Autoimmune Neurological Diseases”,J. Biol. Phys. Chem. 2017, 17, 8-32. Download

• Weedwacking 101. Prepared by Terry Radtke and Larry Clough, November 8, 2015 Download

Northern Indiana Lakes Council Project

Training

• Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy, Purdue University. Three LaPSI members, Diane Tulloh, Kendall Floyd and Anthony S. Serianni, each earned a Professional Certificate in Watershed Management upon completion of this on-line course in Spring 2014.
• Notre Dame Undergraduate Research Training. Since 2013, three Notre Dame undergraduates have received summer stipends through the University of Notre Dame (ISLA Da Vinci grants; see below) to conduct scientific and social-psychological studies on Lake Papakeechie: Hannah Becker, Brian Roddy and Matthew Williams. These students also collaborated with the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation on projects associated with Lake Wawasee.

External Funding/Grants

1. Institute for Scholarship in the Liberal Arts (ISLA Da Vinci Grant), University of Notre Dame, 2013. Stakeholder Mindset and Ecological Impact: Do Personal Beliefs and Values of Lake Papakeechie and Lake Wawasee Residents Influence Lake Stewardship? Total cost $4468. Download

2. Institute for Scholarship in the Liberal Arts (ISLA Da Vinci Grant), University of Notre Dame, 2014. Stakeholder Values and Lake Ecology: Motivating Adjoining Lake Communities in a Common Watershed Through Improved Communication and Best Management Practices. Total cost $4000. Download

3. Omicron Biochemicals Inc., South Bend, IN 46617. Unrestricted Grant-2012. Total cost $2000.

4. Omicron Biochemicals Inc., South Bend, IN 46617. Unrestricted Grant-2013. Total cost $2000.

5. Omicron Biochemicals Inc., South Bend, IN 46617. Unrestricted Grant-2014. Total cost $2000.

Invited Speakers and Other Presentations

1. Jim Donahoe, Aquatic Weed Control. Syracuse Community Center, March 15, 2014.

2. Limnological and Social Psychological Studies of Lake Papakeechie and Its Environs. A. S. Serianni, PPA Board Meeting, North Webster, April 12, 2014. Download

3. Lake Checkups: Water Quality Tests: A Multi-Media Communication Tool. Z. Martin, R. Van Matre and A. S. Serianni, Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy, Final Project, Conference Center, Fort Harrison State Park, May 21, 2014. Download

4. LaPSI Poster, PPA Annual Meeting, August 2014. Download

5. Prof. Nate Bosch, Director, Center of Lakes and Streams, Grace College. Syracuse Community Center, November 1, 2014.

6. Stakeholder Mindset and Ecological Impact: Effect of Personal Beliefs and Value Systems of Lake Residents on Lake Stewardship. H. Becker and A. S. Serianni, Indiana Academy of Science Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, March 2015. Download

7. Martha Bishop Ferguson, Master Gardener/Master Naturalist. Syracuse Community Center, March 21, 2015. See this link for more information.

Water Testing SOPs

1. Secchi Water Testing SOP: Download

2. DO/T Water Testing SOP (2013 Version): Download

3. DO/T Water Testing SOP (2014 Version): Download

4. E. coli Water Testing SOP: Download

Additional LaPSI SOPs

1. Using the GPS Function on an Apple iPhone: Download

2. Basic Instructions on the Use of Microsoft Excel: Download

3. Instructions on the Use of the Lowrance HDS5 GPS Unit: Download

4. Instructions on Charging the Battery on the Lowrance HDS5 GPS Unit: Download

Lake Ecology and Lake Management Articles and Documents

1. Understanding Lake Ecology. Taken from: Limnology, 2nd Edition, A. J. Horne and C. R. Goldman, Chapter 1, McGraw-Hill, NY, 1994). Download

2. Common Lake Water Quality Parameters. Lake Notes, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, December 1998. Download

3. Lake Papakeechie: Beneath the Surface: An Investigation into Your Lake's Health. Center for Lakes and Streams, Grace College, 2015. Download

Experimental Results; Raw Data Archive

• 2013

• 2014

• 2015

• 2016

Notre Dame Undergraduate Summer Research Reports

• Hannah Becker, “Stackholder Mindset and Ecological Impact: Do Personal Beliefs and Values of Lake Papakeechie and Lake Wawasee Residents Influence Lake Stewardship”, April 27, 2015. Download
• Brian Roddy and Matthew Williams, “Stakeholder Values and Lake Ecology: Motivating Adjoining Lake Communities in a Common Watershed Through Improved Communication and Best Management Practices”, September 2014 Download

Publicity

1. Water Testing Key To Sustaining Lake Water Quality. The Mail Journal, August 21, 2013. This is a large file that may take time to download. Download

LaPSI Phamphlets, Brochures and Related Materials

• Water Quality Tests - Magnet Download Template for Printing
• Water Quality Trifold Brochure. Download Side 1 and Side 2 for printing.

LaPSI Meeting Minutes

• August 23, 2012: Download
• September 14, 2012: Download
• October 12, 2012: Download
• November 16, 2012: Download
• January 11, 2013: Download
• February 8, 2013: Download
• March 8, 2013: Download
• April 12, 2013: Download
• May 10, 2013: Download
• June 7, 2013: Download
• July 12, 2013: Download
• August 16, 2013: Download
• September 6, 2013: Download
• October 4, 2013: Download
• November 8, 2013: Download
• March 7, 2014: Download
• April 11, 2014: Download
• May 9, 2014: Download
• June 13, 2014: Download
• July 11, 2014: Download
• September 12, 2014: Download
• March 20, 2015: Download
• August 14, 2015: Download
• October 4, 2015: Download
• November 13, 2015: Download
• March 18, 2016: Download
• July 24, 2016: Download
• September 5, 2016: Download
• April 21, 2017: Download
• July 29, 2017: Pending