Stirrup Key Weed Gate Update
Statement from Marv –
There is no doubt who the author of this is. I’m putting down my current book and concentrating on this document. It is excellent! Thank you.
Joni, this should go on the web site for everyone and please make clear that this is an update and draft. This should be a dynamic plan and changes will occur.
All participants please keep documentation on all cost. The Association has funds, and this is for everyone’s benefit.
Communication is key, so if you have a comment, recommendation, or idea please share.
All Board members should keep themselves updated, visit the activity when possible and if you have a question on cost speak up early on. I will gladly be the clearing house for comments, concerns, or questions. Remember, you are the Association members representative.
Thanks all.
Marv
Update from Sergio
May 1, 2019
Stirrup Key Weed Gates/ Marina Projects Progress Report – May 1, 2019
From Sergio Rodriguez
Below are the projects for Stirrup Key approved in the January HOA meeting. I have attached the project approval from that meeting at the end of this email for your reference.
Sergio/Maria, Dr. Bob Jones and volunteers have committed to getting many of the items completed before next fall (BIG thank you). There are two items we are asking for someone to volunteer. The work consists of making telephone calls, engaging individuals and coming back to the HOA association with your findings.
Volunteers needed if this is something you can assist with, please contact Dr. Bob drjones7788@gmail.comby 5/15.
D. (see below) – Dr. Bob Jones has information and contact list who might be able to advise how to address the issue and best course of action at the Windy Point Pond.
E. (see item below) – Dr. Bob Jones has a contact list to call and discuss if there associations / groups / lobbyist/ individual who the SKHOA could engage (pay) to ensure the SKHOA is represented.
Project Updates
A. Main weed gate
Completed
a. Old weed gate netting & floats removed from main channel (Dr Bob, Sergio, Maria, Randy & Marcy Hetrick)
b. Dispose of #1 (Dr. Bob)
c. Build floating nets for each side of the harbor &weight down properly (Tiff Murphy, Dr. Bob, Randy)
d. Install new floating nets (Tiff Murphy, Dr. Bob, Randy, Bob Eales, Mike Dunn, Sergio)
e. Hire electrician to install main weed gate electrical service, hook up / tune 7.5 HP Blower and VFD – (Sergio)
f. Check all dangerous vertical rebar & removed from main entrance (there are currently 2-4 to be removed). Visual check to be done to confirm all have removed. (Tiff / Randy, Dr. Bob, Bob Eales, Mike Damon)
In process (expected to be completed by May 2019)
a. Permit has been submitted (waiting for approval) for new blower & electrical service (Sergio)
b. Electrician to install / test – Electrical service, 7.5 hp blower and VFD ( Sergio/Dr Bob)
Scheduled to be completed October 2019
1. Opening the waste gate at Guerin’s seawall to blow out water that has filled the air line from the blower pad to the main weed gate. (Dr. Bob to Advise: Volunteers will be engage in the fall, Marcy to coordinate with Sergio)
2. Build, install & connect to blower, a new bubbler pipe that will go across the entrance so that when it is full of air it rises to the proper height above the bottom and is LEVEL. (Dr. Bob to Advise; Volunteers will be engage in the fall, Marcy to coordinate with Sergio)
a. Requires Three 2”– 20’ PVC with quick connect, high pressure fittings (Dr. Bob has information to assist with this)
B. Inner weed gate (Petits to Mears) / Boat ramp (Work to begin May 2019)
Completed
a. Small salvaged rebuilt compressor and cabinet (separate) now on dock near Fran’s (Dr. Bob)
In process (expected to be completed by June 2019
1. Contact company to pull Aerators from Windy Point Marina and move to Ramp area (Sergio)
1. Props and Bottoms contacted and are planning to engage 3rd week of May
1. pull aeration heads from Windy Point marina and reposition in line with those forming the boat ramp marina barrier
2. Pull and clean the aeration heads while they are being re-positioned and replace rubber diaphragms that have gotten stiff. (Sergio with Marcy to coordinate volunteer help based on who is available from our volunteer list)
3. Install compressor at end of seawall with additional aerations heads / repositioned. Hope this will allow the removal of the floating weed gate. (Dr. Bob, Sergio and volunteers based on who is available from our volunteer list)
TBD – If this will not work:
a. Rebuild weed nets both sides
b. Drill into cap rock and drive a galvanized piece of rebar into the cap rock, put a PVC sleeve over it and attach it near the top of the seawall at the corner of Blake’s slip and Mear’s seawall to hold the floating net closer to the seawall where seaweed gets past now.
To be Scheduled (Marcy to ask for volunteers Sept/Oct before Weed season)
1. Assign volunteers to
a. turn the compressors off during times when accumulated algae flotsam and seaweed will blow out of that marina then back on as soon as clearing is complete to avoid needing to rebalance the air flow Dr. Bob has the details on this procedure.
b. remove and service (rebuild) the Brookwood compressors then reinstall every two – three years
c. Rebalance and clean aeration heads annually as well as replace stiff aeration head rubber diaphragms
C. Windy Point marina (June)
Completed
a. Build weed barrier to be installed on bay side of flushing canal – 100’ (Sergio/Maria)
In progress (expected to be completed by June
1. Check and repair floating boom seaweed barriers of the flushing canal (Sergio & available volunteers)
2. Install weed barrier once sea grass moves out of the bay
1. Volunteers are ready and available to do this once it is time – (Sergio/Maria )
3. Contact & pick up @ Vertex completed rebuilt compressor (Sergio)
4. Make up and install new bubbler pipe to replace aeration heads that were positioned to boat ramp marina
5. Install existing rebuilt Brookwood compressor, wire, cabinet, air line to bubbler pipe.
To be Scheduled & Assigned- starting Sept/October 2019 (Sergio & Marcy will reach out)
1. Volunteers to
a. Rebalance and clean aeration heads annually as well as replace stiff aeration head rubber diaphragms
b. routinely (every 2 months) check and repair both floating boom seaweed barriers in the flushing canal to that marina
c. Monitor & responsible for to remove and rebuild compressor 2-3 years
D. Windy Point Pond Aeration
Volunteer needed quickly
Find someone to work with university extension service to determine how to control what appears to be a cyanobacteria overgrowth in that pond
In Progress (scheduled for June) – Sergio & Marcy to ask for volunteers after A-C is completed
a. Check pond aerator, pull and clean aeration heads
To be Assigned & Scheduled – starting Sept/October 2019
2. Assign volunteers to
a. Rebalance and clean aeration heads annually as well as replace stiff aeration head rubber diaphragms
b. Monitor & responsible for to remove and rebuild compressor 2-3 year
E. Compliance with US Congress Clean Water Act/FKRAD
Volunteer needed quickly
1. someone to make calls to see if the SKHOA and join/pay an organization or individual to represent our HOA regarding grant authorities to ensure we are at the top of the list to receive help / grants. Also this ensures the SKHOA is not taxed to pay for things we have done or are currently doing on our own.
2. This is a big deal and could cost SKHOA members a $1,000,000 if not handled properly.
———-
Volunteer list as of 5/1/19 – Below is our initial list of volunteers. If I missed anyone, my apologies and please let me know & I can update.
Dr. Bob Jones
Sergio & Maria Rodriguez
Randy & Marcy Hetrick
Tiff and Lori Murphy
Tim Heise
Fran Mears
Ron Helms
Bob & Donna Eales
Mike Damon
Mary Pfau
Doug Davis
Mary Cay Reynolds
Tim Harrison
Tom Reynolds
Update from Dr. Bob
January 5, 2019
The following Power Point Presentation was presented at the SKHOA Annual Meeting on January 5, 2019.
Please click the following link to view the presentation.
Update from Dr. Bob
June 15, 2017
“Stirrup Key, Keep on doing whatever you are doing. It is working.”
This is the written assessment of Rhonda Hague, director of the Monroe County Canal Water Quality Improvement Program. To be more specific, as of June 2017 the official County canal water quality analysis shows a nearly three-fold improvement in Stirrup Key canal water quality.
What are we doing?
- Main Harbor Entrance Weed Gate: A combined bubbler style air curtain across the harbor channel entrance supplemented by sections of net extending out from the two seawalls and held afloat by a line of crab trap floats. The air curtain is powered by a blower located adjacent to the first flushing canal.
- Flushing Canal Barrier: A floating boom with netting under it has been deployed under the bridge in the flushing canal near Windy Point Circle.
- Second Flushing Canal Barrier: A second floating boom has recently been installed at the entrance to the same flushing canal.
- Harbor Aeration System: An aeration system was installed in the harbor. It is designed to primarily address the areas with the least natural exchange of water with Florida Bay. These are the most oxygen depleted areas..
- Boat Ramp Harbor Weed Gate: The aeration system was modified to create a bubbler style or air curtain seaweed barrier within our harbor system right at the entrance to the boat ramp marina. This has been particularly effective in stopping seaweed that gets past the aforementioned barriers from entering the boat ramp harbor. Seaweed stopped at this point clears much better than seaweed that is allowed to enter the boat ramp harbor.
Comments and questions are welcome,
See Dr. Bob at 326 Stirrup Key Blvd or call/text 443-480-1023 or e-mail drjones7788@gmail.com
skhoa.com 