Herrera at OLA-WALPA Joint Lakes Conference 2024 

Herrera was proud to sponsor and attend the OLA-WALPA (Oregon Lakes Association and Washington Lakes Protection Association) Joint Lakes Conference in Portland, Oregon! As part of the planning committee, Herrera played an integral role in contributing to the event’s organization and programming.

This year’s theme was “Limnology – The Next Generation”, chosen to showcase advancements in lake research and management in the Pacific Northwest, and to elevate the voices of young professionals and future limnologists! Featured talks focused on new lake research and management technologies such as environmental DNA, satellite and drone mapping of harmful algae blooms (HABs), monitoring of benthic cyanobacteria, and treatment of a zebra-quagga mussel infestation.

Herrera team members delivered the following presentations:

A Lake That Flows Both Ways Part 2: The Implementation Game. Katie Sweeney presented on implementing the Vancouver Lake Management Plan prepared by Herrera last year. The talk focused on the algicide treatments piloted at the swim beach during the summer 2024 season, while we continue designing and modeling lake flushing enhancement alternatives, and developing a special district framework as long-term HAB management solutions.

Oxygen Saturation Technology for HAB Control in Washington Lakes. Rob Zisette presented on the next generation of hypolimnetic oxygenation technology for effectively managing HABs without the use of chemicals that was recommended for 3 of the 7 cyanobacteria management plans recently prepared by Herrera.

A Spatial Screening Model for Identifying Priority Road Segments for Managing a Toxic Tire Chemical (6PPDQ). Tim Clark presented about an expert knowledge-based spatial model developed by Herrera for King County that classifies road segments by the relative amount of 6PPDQ in tire particles which wash into streams and kill coho salmon.

Presentation abstracts and other conference information are available here: https://www.walpa.org/annual-conference/. Herrera looks forward to the next OLA-WALPA Joint Lakes Conference to connect with other industry experts and share our latest work!Person in room

people at a conference