Moorestown Council Approves $34K Contract For Continued Strawbridge Lake Maintenance

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown Council approved a resolution last week to use $34,500 in Open Space funding to continue to clean up spatterdock at Strawbridge Lake, but there are some in the community who feel that isn’t enough.

Spatterdock is a plant characterized by giant leaves that presented a nuisance for Strawbridge Lake for several years. Last year, council approved a $30,000 contract with Princeton Hydro to remove 90 percent of the spatterdock from the lake. While it was effective, work is still needed on the lake. MEAC is working on a five-year plan for ongoing maintenance to clean up the lake.

Resident Brian Thomas pointed out that spatterdock grows from the presence of nitrogen and phosphorous in the water during a public hearing on the resolution at the Sept. 11 council meeting. He said emphasized the need for the township to focus on eliminating these substances from the lake altogether as a long-term fix.

On its website, the Rutgers Cooperative Extension recommends “limiting, reducing, or redirecting the input of external nutrients (primarily nitrogen and phosphorous) from waterways.” It cites potential sources for these nutrients as:

• runoff from lawns and golf courses, among other possible sources;
• agricultural fields;
• waste from livestock;
• pets and wildlife;and
• poorly functioning septic systems.

• planting low-maintenance lawns;
• applying less fertilizer near waterways;
• using phosphorous-free fertilizer;
• maintaining vegetated riparian buffers to absorb nutrients;
• increasing bank stability to reduce soil erosion; and
• maintaining proper aeration and good water flow.

The group says not addressing the nutrient issues can lead to a need for perpetual maintenance, and resident Pete Miller says the battle against spatterdock at Strawbridge Lake is a battle against nature itself.

“The lake used to be a swamp, and it is naturally trying to turn back into a swamp,” Miller said during the hearing. “We’re fighting a natural occurrence.”

Mayor Manny Delgado said that while there has been some growth in spatterdock at the lake since last year’s work, it’s not nearly as bad as it once was. He also said silt is coming into the lake from other towns. Councilman Mike Locatell said the township is looking for a long-term fix for silt infiltration, but they need to find grant money for that. Deputy Mayor Stacey Jordan said that while Monday’s resolution isn’t a long-term fix, it does help alleviate the problem.

Other work taking place at the lake this year includes dredging of the mineral pond and cleaning up of the basins, according to Township Manager Tom Merchel. The township is also seeking a grant for further clean up of the lake.

Patch file photo