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TIDINGS
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES

January, 2001
VOLUME IV
ISSUE I

Fountain Update
The year 2000 was not a good one for Lake Merritt aerators. The Bandstand fountain motor burned out in February because the manufacturer had given us a fresh water motor, not one designed to operate in salt water. Also that month, the control box was flooded by a combination of high tides and heavy runoff. Building a salt water motor requires 2 months, and with waiting for installation, it was not until June that the new motor was installed and the control box mounted above flood levels. After operating normally for 3 months, the impeller failed (the manufacturer had used a 5 hp impeller on a 3 hp motor) and stripped the splines on the shaft of the new motor. Because of limited funds, we are still attempting to repair, rather than replace this fountain. Costs will be at least $1,100, and $1,500 more if a new motor is needed. Replacement with a better brand (see below) would be about $6,500, but would insure more reliable operation and lower repair costs.

The Glen Echo aerator motor also burned out in February, and was replaced in June. However, the new motor required 240 volts, and a voltage booster had to be installed, which was accomplished in July. The fountain ran (albeit at low volume) until September when the impeller failed after about 5 years of use. The impeller part proved hard to obtain, but finally arrived at a cost of $1,000. The impeller and a new screen were installed in December, when a break in the underwater cable was discovered. After replacing the cable, the fountain rewarded us with a 20 foot spray pattern, which began to aerate the Lake on December 20th.

Our best unit, the Aqua Control aerator at the Embarcadero, had to be shut down several times during the runoff season due to clogging of the intake screen. Normal operation (except for timer and circuit breaker replacement) began in mid-March. Except for minor shut downs due to impeller jamming, the Embarcadero fountain ran fine until November when bolts holding the collar failed after 2 years due to corrosion. The good news is that the company will fix the fountain at no cost, replace the bolts with a more corrosion resistant material, and upgrade other parts. Dependent on installation time, the Embarcadero fountain should be doing its job again by early February.

Funds Needed - Request To Be Made In February
We recently received this note from the City. "The City of Oakland Public Works Agency, Street Cleaning, Graffiti Abatement Division would like to take this time to thank you for your volunteer services. It's peole like you who help make Oakland the cleanest and most beautiful city in California. We couldn't do it without you." And we couldn't do it without them! So the next time you see graffiti around the Lake (or anywhere else) call 238-4703. Every time I've called, the nasty paint has disappeared. Cooperation.

New Website Name
Look for our website at www.lakemerrittinstitute.org Check out the monthly bulletins, volunteer letters, photo gallery and pounds of trash collected. There's even a white paper on dissolved oxygen and a description of the proposed fish hatchery. In the future, we will post a proposed water quality monitoring plan for the creeks, Lake and channel. There is also information on the fountains and links to organizations that provide information on urban runoff and how to control A.

Institute Receives Award from KCI, Inc.
On December 14th at the Oakland Airport Hilton Hotel, The Lake Merritt Institute received a Community Service "Trailblazer" Award from Kids Care, Inc. The award reads "for keeping the most unique and beautiful lake west of the Rocky Mountains clean for us to enjoy. Thank you for caring enough to make a difference."

Kids Care, Inc. is an organization of kids in elementary, middle and high school who have incorporated to protect our environment. They are currently developing programs and expanding membership. For more information, call Oscar Rojas Soto at (510) 430-2492 or e-mail them at Kids_Care_Inc@yahoo.com.

Monthly Speaker Series
Enforcement of the clean water act - emphasis on urban runoff legal options at lake merritt. Join us for an evening of thoughtful discussion with Jonathan Kaplan of Bay Keeper. This organization has resolved more than 87 major legal cases, responded to more than 865 incidents, and in the last 3 years, directed nearly $7 million in settlement funds to community foundations for grants to fund Bay restoration projects. Check out their website at www.baykeeper.org.

Our topics will include: What is a legal discharge of pollutants under the Clean Water Act? What is illegal? What are the permit requirements and who enforces them? Can citizens sue polluters? If education and planning fail, what options remain? Find out the answers to these and other questions on Tuesday, January 16, from 7:30 to 9 pm at the Boating Center, 568 Bellevue Avenue, in Lakeside Park.

City Projects
The master plan and wetlands contracts are awaiting final paperwork and council approval, and it appears that additional funds have been found for the master plan. Also, work is continuing on a storm drain filter demonstration project, to be located at outfall # 5, draining parts of Euclid and Grand Avenues. This is a 12 inch storm drain, entering the Lake about several hundred feet from the Embarcadero. The maintenance section of the Office of Public Works wants to evaluate its effectiveness and clearing requirements prior to decisions on larger filters at other locations around the Lake.

Job Openings
The California Department of Fish and Game - Fishing in the City Program is seeking:

Seasonal Aids @ $8.69/hour Minimum Qualifications Ability to read, write and speak English

Scientific Aids @ $10.30/hour Minimum Qualifications Possession of a valid CA driver's license. Completion of 2 years of college with at least 10 units in Biology or Chemistry or 1 year experience in surveying, studying or evaluating fish or wildlife populations, data, habitat or users, or working in a chemistry laboratory.

Positions may he located in the north, south or cast bay, or be bay wide in coverage. Hours will be flexible, part or full time. Tasks will include implementing beginner level learn-to-fish programs in salt and fresh water; development of interpretive publications; making presentations with the Mobile Fish Exhibit at schools, sport shows and watershed festivals; and other duties as assigned.

Positions are open immediately. These are limited term jobs which will expire on June 30th. For information contact Ethan Rotman, Fishing in the City Program Coordinator for the SF Bay Area at (415) 892-0460.

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