Deteriorating Lake Sparks Concerns

For 60 years Otto Zehl has lived, relaxed and enjoyed memories with family and friends alongside Deerhead Lake. But now Zehl is concerned that if something is not done to stop the deterioration of the lake it will not be available for future generations to enjoy.

“I think it is just a crime that something we used to be so proud of we’ve let go to hell, and no one seems to care,” said Zehl on Thursday as he brought his concerns before the governing body.

“The lake is going downhill something terrible,” said Zehl. “If something is not done soon you will have to close down the beach.”

Zehl said his family built a home alongside the lake in 1952 while he was serving during the Korean war.

“I have some beautiful memories. I have pictures that go way back. The lake was pristine at that time,” said Zehl.

Zehl said he believes the problems affecting the lake have come in stages.

He believed the first problems began when a storm drain was built that connected a catch basin on Frog Pond on Westside Drive into the southern portion of the lake. He said when that happened the southern beach had to be closed.

As the lake and the town progressed, a road was torn up to put the beach directly on the road for increased access, Zehl said. This has created a problem because the parking lot slopes downward adding to the amount runoff in the lake, he said.

 “It was just poor engineering. Whoever designed that did not know water runs downhill,” said Zehl.

The building of a new dam has compounded the problem to its current state in which vegetation is growing along the bottom of the lake, making in unsuitable for recreation, Zehl said.

For 50 years there was a small 4-foot dam that served the lake well, whereas the new larger dam has significantly slowed down the movement of the lake water allowing the growth of vegetation, Zehl said.

When contacted Monday, Mayor Gary Quinn admitted the vegetation and dam have become serious problems for the health of the lake.

“The new dam does not allow water to flow as well,” said Quinn. “With the humidity we had last year we unfortunately had to shut down the lake periodically. That concerns us greatly.”

Zehl recounted what he could see of the lake’s problems last summer.

“Last year the lake was in terrible shape when kids had their swimming lessons. I always bought beach badges even though I do not go to that side. I just felt it was a good project that needed support,” said Zehl. “If this keeps up the lake will be unsuitable for the children to swim in.”

Zehl has been unable to use his sailboat on the lake in two years, he said.

However as Quinn explained at the meeting there is not much that can be done because of DEP regulations regarding the dam.

“That dam was mandated. The State of New Jersey told us we had to do it, borrow the money and pay it back. We have very little control,” said Quinn.

Quinn added he is hopeful the township can arrange a meeting with the DEP to explain the problems being caused by the dam.

Zehl suggested some other solutions in addition to talking with the DEP. He said that there is a grassy area adjacent the beach that should no longer be fertilized in order to prevent run-off. He said he himself has already stopped fertilizing his own land which abuts the lake. Zehl also pointed to a grassy path running toward the lake that he believed could be replaced with one made of gravel or decorative stone.

When informed of Zehl’s proposals, Quinn said the municipality would be happy to look into those ideas, but noted any changes to the path would have to be approved by the DEP. He was also hopeful that the new state law governing Barnegat Bay will remediate any issues caused by fertilizers affecting the lake.

The main problem is addressing the vegetation growth, Quinn said. The level of the lake was lowered over the winter to allow the water to freeze in order to “choke out” the vegetation. When the township meets with the DEP, they will seek to be able to lower the water level even further in future winters, Quinn said.

Quinn also met with the township recreation director to discuss the status of the lake.

One idea is to try and get use of a harvester which could be used to remove the vegetation provided there are no endangered species present, Quinn said. However, Quinn noted this is a somewhat rare piece of equipment so it would probably have to be borrowed or leased from a neighboring municipality as given the current economic climate the township is unlikely to raise taxes or bond for equipment.

Still Quinn said the governing body is concerned about the issues Zehl has raised.

“We truly don’t want to lose those lakes. We care about those lakes more than you can ever believe,” Quinn said.

Zehl however just hopes that other residents in the township will get involved in taking up the fight to save the lake.

“I love this town. I love this lake,” said Zehl. “It’s such a sad thing. I’m trying my best just to interest people in it.”

“I have pictures of that lake 25 years ago. If you see it then and now it will make you cry,” he added.