A day or so ago RTB posted a message about leaves and algae blooms in the lakes. Offline, I corresponded with RTB and promised I would examine a storm sewer outfall during my next walk. This afternoon I examined the outfall on the north side of Lake Harriet. At the time a park board was working to reinforce the shoreline berm against washout and had been dredging around the outfall. I asked whether a big slug of leaves had been there and the crews answer was 'no.' So, if leaves have been entering the storm sewers during the past leaf fall, it appears that not many have reached the lakes. I suspect the leaves that have entered the storm sewers are sitting down there rotting away - next spring when the snow melt-off and rains flush the sewers I would expect that juicy, nutrient-rich brew to enter the settling ponds. Look for lush growth. Would it be against any rules to sprinkle some of my surplus Gray Conehead wildflower seeds (year 2000 harvest from my front yard) around the edges of the settling ponds. They make for heavy masses of yellow flowers from August through September. Jack Ferman Minneapolis, MN [EMAIL PROTECTED]
