Board Meeting – April 5, 2007
Agenda: Wind Power Circulators, Absolute Aeration, Bacteria Monitoring Program
Visitors: Erickson-PADL Recording Secretary, Don Sell-PADL, Pat Payne, Doug Pirie
Minutes: Extensive discussion about potential wind powered circulators which are compared with SolarBees. Discussion on air powered systems and bacterial monitoring.
Links: Complete Agenda, Complete Minutes
For excerpts from the Minutes select
Wind Powered Circulators
Landhuis stated that he has been researching methods of circulating water, which seems to be what the Board is ultimately interested in to partially solve the problems. Solar Bees are expensive, said Landhuis, and there are hundreds of methods of stirring up water. He found a windpowered circulator of a company that has been in business for 25 or 30 years. They circulate water for drinking and for septic systems. The Board studied the literature distributed, along with the proposal. The machine is stainless steel, durable, and the company feels Devils Lake is in a good location for wind energy. The price range of savings would be from 30 to 40 percent less than the Solar Bees. It was determined that 21 would be required for the entire lake. The minimum wind factor for functioning would be 4 mph. Strayer stated that he liked the simplicity of the circulator—it would be easier to install and maintain. Winchester asked if there were any close to Oregon that could be checked. Utah, was the response. Strayer asked about the size of the tubes and how they are anchored. Winchester said that they could hold another workshop to discuss the circulators. Green said there is no application where they have any experience that would be similar.
Strayer said that he had heard that the Solar Bees had been removed from Steilacoom. Robertson said he would call and ask if they had been removed, since he recalled that they had had the option of returning them.
A lengthy discussion ensued about the pros and cons of the wind circulators. Pirie provided some information about wind factors on the lake, since he sails frequently. It does not appear that formal data exists about wind factors within the District, but the other sources NOAA for instance might be able to provide such data, as well as solar data. Landhuis said a list of questions should be compiled and a representative asked to come and meet with the Board. Green stated that he is going to Bend in June and would check out the wind circulating operation in LaPine while he is there.
Blue Frog – Absolute Aeration
Robertson distributed information about the Blue Frog circulating systems. He obtained this information via a call from a vendor he had met in Reno asking about becoming a part of DLWID’s erosion control program. The product is a much smaller application of circulating lake water for lake management.
Bacteria Monitoring Program
Robertson will begin this program on April 16. He will use the same sites as last year. He will obtain the samples each week and post the data which are color coded as to associated risk (Red, Yellow, and Green). The program should begin after the weather becomes warmer.