Nearly three years after a medical emergency abruptly halted a community meeting on the topic, Reston Association is reviving its consideration of a possible renaming of Lake Audubon.
The homeowners’ association anticipates holding a new community meeting to gather input on the proposal later this spring, while staff finalize a policy establishing a formal process for changing amenity names.
Hints of the blue-green algae that often emerge in Reston’s lakes during the summer have been spotted at Lake Audubon.
“We have learned that a small amount of blue-green algae has been observed at Lake Audubon,” Reston Association said in an alert and social media posts sent out this morning. “RA Watershed staff are monitoring the potentially harmful algae.”
Reston Association is lowering the water levels of its lakes, starting today (Monday).
Dam repair and inspection firm Bander Smith will perform annual spillway inspections at Newport, Thoreau and Audubon lakes, requiring them to be drained by up to 8 inches. Lake Anne will be drained by 2 feet to also allow for minor concrete repairs to its riser tower.
With a new month on the horizon, algae blooms at three lakes in Reston appear to be turning a leaf.
Warnings to avoid making contact with Lake Anne and Lake Audubon have been lifted after an algae bloom took over some parts of the lakes since mid-November.
Updated at 3:40 p.m. — An algae bloom was spotted this morning in Lake Anne, joining blooms on Lake Thoreau and Lake Audubon, Reston Association says.
“At this time, Reston Association has determined that treatment of the blooms would not be beneficial, as a mass die-off of algae after treatment would cause a dip in otherwise healthy oxygen levels, therefore posing significant risk to fish and wildlife in the lake,” the organization said, advising residents and pets to avoid contact with the affected lakes.
Lake Anne and Lake Audubon in Reston are now clear of harmful algae that bloomed on the surface of the lakes last week.
Reston Association staff had reported “potentially harmful” algae in both lakes. Staff worked with an environmental contractor to determine if Lake Audubon was clear of the algae Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 9). Lake Anne was previously reported as safe.
Updated at 5:45 p.m. — The fish deaths reported at Snakeden Branch stream this morning have been traced to a water main break behind Hunters Woods Plaza, Reston Association says.
“Potable water was discharged and included chlorine, causing the fish kill,” RA Chief Operating Officer Peter Lusk said. “The water main break has been repaired, and the stream is considered safe, and not harmful to humans or animals.”
Updated at 4:05 p.m. — Yesterday’s meeting on a potential Lake Audubon renaming was suspended after 20 minutes due to a medical emergency. The meeting will be rescheduled, but an exact date hasn’t been determined yet, Reston Association spokesperson Mike Leone says.
Earlier: Months after floating the possibility of a name change for Lake Audubon, Reston Association is beginning initial conversations with the community.
Restonians can officially enjoy a series of multi-sport events for adult and youth athletes, including a Reston staple: the Reston Triathlon.
CORE Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aims to address charitable needs, has launched “Racing in Reston,” a series of events that grows out of the popular Reston Sprint Triathlon, which started out as a singular community event in 2007.
Lake Audubon Terrace residents are protesting Reston Association’s decision to order the removal of their boats on the organization’s shoreline — a practice residents say they had been doing for years without issue.
In a petition discussed before RA’s Board of Directors in late June, the Lake Audubon Terrace Cluster asked permission to access the shoreline. They say the order has increased overcrowding, undermined their ability to offer mooring spots to owners near their homes, and “directly diminished” property values of owners who can’t access the shoreline.
