Louisiana Commissioner of Conservation announced today the results of recent water bottom and sediment testing at Lake Peigneur in Iberia parish. Commissioner of Conservation James Welsh said that so far there is nothing from recent diver-surveys or lab analyses that pinpoint a source of the reported incidences of bubbling in the lake.

Welsh said there were no signs of bubbles or any unusual occurrences in Lake Peigneur on either March 1st or March 2nd, when professional divers and contracted technicians worked to collect samples that might help indicate what a few observers have reported as bubbling that left a trail of frothy matter on top of the water. A spokeswoman for the eyewitnesses told area news reporters and the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) conservation officials that the froth would slowly dissipate from that area of the lake.

The areas selected for investigation and testing by DNR were based on specific coordinates provided by local residents that reported several bubbling incidents and where an old dry hole well was located. Commissioner Welsh reported that divers found no signs of the cause or the location of bubbling or frothy-matter during their site survey that included 100-foot radial sweeps in four areas within the lake. Divers left buoys as semi-permanent markings for lab technicians to go for sampling of the soils on the water bottom.

Likewise, laboratory results from the areas do not indicate the presence of any substances at concentrations that would definitively pose harm to public health or show need for environmental concern.

Tiburon Divers Inc. reported that the average water depths at the locations were from three to five feet, and the bottom consisted of soft mud and soft shell. According to the divers, the lake bottom was level with no signs of depressions or debris.

Pro-Tech’s Lafayette Laboratory provided a certified analysis of the water bottom at each location checking for specific compounds, including heavy metals, VOC and TPH substances. The lab results documented the required quality assurances and chain of custody protocol.

The state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) also took water samples at Lake Peigneur in January and those lab results indicated no problems with the water quality of the lake.

According to Commissioner Welsh there are no specific plans at this time to pursue further testing. “The Office of Conservation’s field inspectors will continue to make observations at the lake in the course of its regulatory duties.”

Related Documents:

• Diver's Report
• Lab Report