Understanding Windsor Lake’s Algae Blooms with Cutting-Edge Tech
As summer kicks off and Windsor Lake reopens for swimming, the Town of Windsor is reintroducing an exciting Capital Improvement Project (CIP) focused on protecting this valuable community resource. This season, four LG Sonic MPC-Buoys—part of a data-driven initiative—are being re-deployed to help the town monitor and better understand harmful algae blooms.
Each buoy continuously tracks key indicators such as water temperature, pH levels and chlorophyll concentrations, giving town staff realtime insight into conditions that can trigger algae blooms.
Rather than treating algae directly, the MPC-Buoys use low-power ultrasonic pulses to disrupt algae
growth at the cellular level—an ecofriendly, non-chemical approach that complements Windsor’s broader stormwater management efforts. The goal is not to eliminate algae outright, but to decrease the length of time it takes water quality to recover after a bloom, and to build a better picture of when blooms may occur, allowing staff to respond quickly and efficiently.
Algae blooms, often driven by excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, pose risks to both public health and aquatic ecosystems. In recent years, these events have become more frequent throughout Colorado, leading to beach closures and water quality warnings. With live data from the buoys, Windsor is taking a proactive stance—aiming
to safeguard lake users and protect downstream waterways.
This project is part of Windsor’s ongoing commitment to smart, sustainable water management. In addition to the MPC-Buoys, the town has also invested in floating wetlands, nutrient-absorbing filter logs and shoreline restoration projects—all designed to reduce nutrient loading and enhance aquatic habitat.
To ensure the buoys can collect accurate data and operate safely, lake visitors are asked to follow all boating rules and avoid coming too close to the buoy units. They are clearly marked and play a vital role in the town’s summer water quality strategy.
About Secure Streets:
Property owners who have private video security systems that record public areas such as streets, sidewalks or parking lots can register their cameras with the department then officers who respond to burglaries, assaults, and other crimes will be able to see a secure map of nearby locations with cameras so they can quickly contact the registered volunteer that may have recorded footage.
• The program is not intended for active or live feed surveillance or for monitoring residents in neighborhoods and does not allow officers remote or direct access to private video systems.
• It takes the owner’s expressed permission and cooperation to view, download, or copy any recorded incident.
• Details are kept confidential and in a secure database that is only accessible by authorized staff.
• Police personnel will only ask to view footage relating to a specific criminal act for use as evidence to aid in on-going investigations.
• Property owners can unsubscribe at any time. SECURE STREETS