Full Title
Development of a Conceptual Model for the Drivers Responsible for the Development and Maintenance of Blue-Green Algal Blooms in Lake Hume
Contact Person
Darren Baldwin
Project Team
Roger Croome, V. Matveev, Alison Mitchell, Rod Oliver, B. Sherman, and Janice Williams
Funding Body
Albury City Council
Duration
completed January 2006
Outcomes
Baldwin, D., Croome, R., Matveev, V., Mitchell, A., Oliver, R., Sherman, B. and Williams, J. (2006). Cyanobacterial (Blue-Green Algal) Blooms in Lake Hume. Report prepared for the Lake Hume Blue-Green Algal Task Force, commissioned by AlburyCity, February, 42pp.
Summary
The aim of this project is to develop a conceptual (and possibly mathematical) model of the drives of blue-green algae in Lake Hume in order to design an effective monitoring program on behalf of the Lake Hume Blue-Green Algae Abatement Program. Respected workers in the field of algal ecology were invited to attend a workshop to develop this model. Topics discussed included identifying the principal drivers of blue-green algal blooms in Lake Hume; constructing a conceptual model describing the dynamics of blue-green algal blooms in Lake Hume; identifying the knowledge gaps; and if we require a fully integrated model for hydrodynamics and water quality in Lake Hume or not.
A Project Working Group and Stakeholder Workshop was held to workshop the outcomes of the development of this model and to give stakeholders the opportunity to provide input and feedback on the management on algal blooms in Lake Hume and the theoretical model. Some very interesting summary points were presented by the Project Leader such as blue-green algal blooms in Lake Hume have corresponded with times of severe drought and the draw-down of the lake for extended periods to less than 30% of capacity.
