Text by TMNCPC blogmaster Paula Dittrick, photos by Robbin Mallett, TMNCPC communications chair, and Jerry Trenta, TMNCPC Seabourne director.
The 4-acre lake at Seabourne Creek Nature Park was restocked on Nov. 4 with 500 large-mouth bass, with each measuring 3 to 4 inches long. The lake also was stocked with 62 pounds of minnows and shiners to help feed the bass, said TMNCPC member Garrett Engelhardt. The lake also contains perch and catfish.
Engelhardt handles the timer maintenance for a surface aerator that increases oxygen levels in the water. The aerator was installed earlier this year.
Seabourne Lake had an aerator years ago, but it had been removed out of safety concerns associated with a scout project. When installing the new aerator, Engelhardt said crews used an existing underground electric power line.
The aerator now runs in the morning until 10 a.m. so park visitors can enjoy its fountain-like effect, then it turns off until 4 p.m. when it resumes operating until 11 p.m. The aerator is most effective at conditioning the lake’s water during the night, Engelhardt said he has been told.
Bob Naeger, TMNCPC membership chair, periodically checks the lake water’s oxygen levels.