Trash Collection Large Go Back and Small Large Surface Debris Stepping up to address new issues on Norris Lake Changing legislation regarding allowable dock materials has resulted in increased lake pollution. Some Individuals who are replacing docks materials to be in compliance with new codes, and who are unwilling or unable to responsibly remove the old materials, are simply allowing the lake current to carry the debris away. See our Efforts in Pictures Litter and Trash Hardworking volunteers make this happen multiple times a year NLPA teams with Norris Lake Project (NLP) and volunteers to clean up trash on both the lake and land. Volunteers pilot boats to take volunteers back and forth from the Marina to nearby cleanup sites. Volunteers Assist in picking up trash at the cleanup sites. Recent and generous and targeted donations has allowed the NLPA claim ownership of a boat to be retro-fitted for purpose. See our Efforts in Pictures

This page provides educational information for all interested in what they can do to keep Norris Lake healthy from contamination for current and future generations by following tips for boat cleaning. Boat Care Invasive Species Control Go Back Watercraft Recommendations Download Clean, drain, and treat your boat if you take it from one body of water to another Boats are the most common way for invasive species to contaminate lakes. Of course, the best precaution is not to take your boat to another waterbody. But if you must, here’s how to clean your boats before you bring them back to our lakes – according to the regulations. NYS mandates reasonable precautions to prevent the spread of invasive species by boat traffic. Reasonable precautions are to clean, drain, and treat before launching your boat into a body of water – or relaunching it back home. Cleaning means that any visible plant or animal materials have been removed from the boat and disposed away from the waterbody. Draining removes water from the watercraft and the watercraft’s motor, bilge, and all other areas of the watercraft. Drain offsite and so that drained water, potentially carrying invasives, does not run into any waterbody. Treat the watercraft. Treat by at least one of three methods: air drying, rinsing or, as a last resort, towel drying. Air Dry either in dry, warm conditions or subfreezing temperatures. Air dry watercraft and trailers, uncovered, out of the water, and exposed to the sun or in a heated building for at least five days. Alternatively, store watercraft and trailers in continuous subfreezing temperatures for at least three days. Rinse Follow the steps as appropriate to the watercraft. In all cases make sure the water used does not drain into a waterbody. Rinse hull and other external areas or equipment with high pressure (2,500 psi) hot water (140 degrees F) for 30 seconds. Flush water cooled motors with water for two minutes. Flush the bilge area, live wells, bait wells and other water-holding compartments with hot water at a temperature of 140 degrees F for 30 seconds. If hot water is not available, thoroughly rinse the boat hull and flush water holding compartments with the warmest water available. Clean cold water is acceptable only if it is the only water available. Towel Dry Use in cases where the watercraft cannot be air dried or rinsed. Towel dry all portions of the watercraft hull, engine, trailer and associated equipment that have been in contact with one waterbody prior to launching in another waterbody. Notice that just taking the visible plants, animals, and mud off the boats is never enough. NYS DEC guidance on cleaning boats

Our interaction with TDEC and a UT environmental specialist has proven the populated areas have regular algae issues. Why...How we care for our lawns, gardens, and docks are creating issues in the lake. Whether you live on the ridge or lakeshore, what is applied on the surface WILL run off into the lake. This page contains helpful information for all community members on proper lawn care. Lawn, Garden Care Riparian Buffers Go Back What we do Makes a Difference Download Download Algae blooms in freshwater lakes are typically caused by an excess of nutrients, Particularly phosphorus and nitrogen in the water. These nutrients can come from various sources, including fertilizer, agricultural runoff, and sewage discharge. Some forms of algae are simply messy, while other forms are a health risk to our pets and family members. Our interaction with TDE and UT environmental specialists has proven the populated areas have regular algae issues. Why… how we care for our lawns, gardens, and docks are creating issues in the lake. Whether you live on the ridge or lakeshore, what is applied on the surface WILL run off into the lake. What can we control? Lawn care Don’t fertilize If we choose to fertilize, please consider products that are phosphorus free Be conservative in the density of the application Limit the number of applications per year What can we control? Gardens Don’t fertilize. Use natural supplements and bio-friendly alternatives Be conservative in the use of all growth enhancers, they have the same impact on algae Limit the use of or avoid weed and pest control chemicals Support information: Sunset Bay website “Living In Sunset Bay" www.sunsetbaypoa.com/helpful-links-1/ Those who live on the lake shore, please consider planting a riparian strip of long rooted native grasses to manage erosion and filter lawn runoff Additional Resources: Riparian Buffer Handbook What can we control? Riparian Buffers to Protect our Lake Download Article

Water Testing 110 Samples Collected Go Back 2023 Results 2024 Results 2025 Results Prevention is far better than remediation. The NLPA consulted with experts within TDEC and UT to determine what four critical pollutant indicators that we should include in water quality testing. Ammonia : Elevated levels via direct means, such as municipal discharges, animal/human waste, and agricultural runoff. Normal range is 0.01-0.50 mg/L. Cause for immediate concern is 2.5 Nitrate : Major sources of nitrate contamination can be from fertilizers, animal waste, and human sewage. A nitrate-nitrogen normal range is 0.2-3.0 mg/L. Conductivity : A measure of the ionic content (such as chloride, nitrate, sulfate, sodium, magnesium, calcium, or iron) in a body of water by measuring the water’s ability to conduct electricity; a large variance to a site's typical reading may mean that a pollution event has occurred. Freshwater lakes typically have a range of 100 - 2,000. pH : Optimal pH level for fish ranges from 6.5 to 9.0. At levels outside this range, fish become susceptible to poisoning from toxic chemicals. Changes in pH can also cause an overload of available plant nutrients, resulting in excessive plant growth and depleted oxygen levels for fish. IMG_2856 Testing Training IMG_4178 IMG_2856 1/5

Derelict Boat Removal Go Back We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to those who contributed to our GoFundMe Contributions helped address the additional materials, tools, and fuel needed to remove the boats. Other equipment and tools were provided by the three volunteers who diligently worked on this project. Our president wishes to extend thanks to his two partners in this work who wish wish to remain anonymous. Fully Recovered in 2023 Work Continues BEFORE before boat3 boat 3 start boat 2 Start before boat3 1/3 Almost There current boat2 Boat 3 Current Boat 2 Current current boat2 1/5

Derelict Boat Removal We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to those who contributed to the GoFundMe site. Those contributions helped address the additional materials, tools, and fuel needed to remove the boats. All other equipment and tools were provided by the (3) volunteers who diligently worked on this project. Our president wishes to extend thanks to his (2) partners in this work. They wish to remain anonymous. 2023 : These abandoned boats were recovered in 2023. 2024 : There are (2) 30+ft house boats that have been sunken on these shorelines for many years. Great progress has been achieved despite challenging water level swings and weather conditions. 2025: Significant water level shifts this winter season prevented the completion of this work, but progress has been made. This project will be completed during the next low pool cycle in late 2025. Donate via GoFundMe 2023 Recovered Top of Page 2024 Recovered Boat 1 : What has been accomplished? Remaining superstructure removed Plumbing removed Flooring removed Glass removed (2) fuel tanks and fuel delivery system removed Starting battery removed Boat hull lifted and stabilized for future cutting process With the support of NLP and River Keepers the majority of the removed debris has been hauled off the lake Boat 2: What has been accomplished? The majority of superstructure removed With the support of NLP and River Keepers the majority of the removed debris has been hauled off the lake Overall lake betterment: (2) 30 yard dumpsters filled mainly with the debris removed from these abandoned houseboats has been removed from Norris Lake. 2025 Progress and to be Recovered 2025: In 2024 NLPA Volunteers committed to dismantle and remove (2) sunken house boats from Norris Lake. To accomplish this work Norris Lake needed to be at its historically low winter pool to access and remove the boat structures and associated hulls. Significant water level shifts this winter season prevented the completion of this work, but there has been some work completed. The entire project will be completed during the next low pool cycle in late 2025.

Changing legislation regarding allowable dock materials has resulted in increased lake pollution. Recognizing this as a growing problem, the NLPA, with generous donations and the work of volunteers, has expanded Norris lake cleanup efforts to also include the removal of multiple concrete dock sections found on various shorelines. Trash Removal Volunteer Days Go Back Only possible with your help

Tips to keep your dock from pests, including manual removal, the use of essential oils to repel insects, and the contact information for a local professional. Dock Care Pest Management Go Back Download Safely Deal with Spiders et al Mechanically remove spiders and mud-dauber wasps with a long-handled brush. Make sure that you remove the egg sacks and nests regularly. They will continue to hatch out from past unremoved egg sacks however continued vigilance will demonstrate fewer spiders and webs over time. Use essential oils to deter pests from getting established on your dock. These oils have a strong scent that interferes with how insects navigate and communicate with each other. It repels spiders, wasps, hornets, boxelders, Asian Beetles, and several other nuisance insects. Fill a spray bottle with water and 15 drops of essential oil (peppermint, cedarwood, tea tree, vetiver, orange, cinnamon). Spray your dock, especially where spiders might build a web. If these methods aren’t producing the desired results, you may choose to call a professional. Norris Lake Pressure Washing (865)-498-9121 Invasive Pests in Tennessee

Since 2023, NLPA volunteers have gathered and tested water samples from designated areas on Norris Lake. The testing results (average of the sites) are published, and provided to our specialist contacts. Water Testing 2025 Results Go Back Keeping Ahead of Problems Click on image to launch PDF (downloadable and easier to read) Water Testing is dependent on Norris Lake water levels.

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