Organization of Woodland Lake News letter

 

From the Desk of the President

Anita Grapentien

 

The Organization of Woodland Lake would like to thank Jeff Bertoia for creating and maintaining our new website, WWW.WOODLANDLAKE.INFO. The site contains material we hope you will find both useful and informative. Jeff plans to update the website on a regular basis. Bookmark the site to keep informed. Thanks again Jeff, OWL greatly appreciates all the time and effort you put toward this successful project.

 

Where does the time go? September is here already, the 2002 school year is well underway and the summer is officially over. Fortunately, we continue to enjoy unseasonably great weather which allows us to continue to enjoy the lake recreation and beauty it offers. The sun rises, and sun sets have been worthy of any effort to capture on film or canvas. The month of May, with 26 days of rain delayed the start of summer around the lake, so the present weather conditions are quite pleasant. The time has come to prepare for the chilly days of fall and the blustery days of winter. One by one we see the docks hauled up on shore. The boats disappear from the water as the summer toys are put away m preparation of the coming season change. The OWL board members hope everyone enjoyed the beautiful warm summer and urge everyone to be cautious, and have a safe winter.

 

Summer 2002

This has been quite a year for the residents on Woodland Lake. June was hectic, trying to accomplish our May chores as well as the June ones so we could start to soak in the sun. Then came July. Summer was in full swing around July 24th when we started to see dead fish floating all over the lake and on our beaches. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Fisheries Division, was notified, specifically Gary Towns. Mr. Towns came out to the lake to investigate the situation and take samples. 30 samples of fish were taken from the lake and sent to a laboratory in Wisconsin for analysis. The DNR had already been conducting tests on 15 lakes in southeastern Michigan because of a new virus detected in a few lakes last year. The samples taken from Woodland Lake all tested positive for the Large Mouth Bass virus. This virus was first detected in the United States in 1995 in South Carolina. Because this is a relatively new phenomena there is still a lot of research underway to determine how the virus spreads, which species are affected, and the underlying cause and affect to the lake. Mr. Towns, of the DNR, and Don Hayduck of the Livingston County Health Department both assure OWL that the virus posed no threat to humans and that the fish were even edible if cooked properly. Because fish species other than bass were affected by the virus in Woodland Lake, the fish samples taken were also sent to a second lab in Georgia for a more detailed analysis then the Wisconsin lab could perform. As of this newsletter OWL has not been informed of the Georgia lab results. We will continue to follow the DNR for the test results and post them in the newly created website www.woodlandlake.info

 

The Dam Report

By way of a review, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), by law, requires owners of dams to have them inspected for integrity every three years. In the OWL October 2001 newsletter we stated that on September 9, 2001 the Woodland Lake dam was inspected by Collins Engineering Inc. The cost estimate for repairs recommended by Collins Engineering Inc. seemed excessive compared to prior inspection reports. OWL sought a second opinion. A second inspection was performed, at no cost to OWL, by Andy Blystra, of Blystra Ltd. Mr. Blystra had performed the two previous DNR inspection requirements. In his report to the DNR, Mr. Blystra assured the dam was structurally sound and in good working order. There are some preventative maintenance recommendations but no major issues exists. A revised report was sent to the DEQ with the cost effective recommendations made by Blystra Ltd. OWL is in the process of acquiring repair specifications in order to facilitate bids for the repairs to be performed. The revised recommendations should be considerably less expensive than originally anticipated. OWL very much appreciates the efforts of Mr. Blystra.

Weed Control

The first weed treatment of the 2002 weed control program was very encouraging. Until the middle of July the weeds in Woodland Lake were under control. The water clarity was very good and it looked as if this was going to be a successful year. At the end of July we had the dead fish floating all around the lake. The OWL board tried waiting for the final results of the DNR Fisheries Division laboratory analysis before deciding to resume. The DNR could not project an analysis completion date, nor if the analysis would be conclusive when it was available. By this time, the weeds were out of control and the August treatment had marginal results. The constant heat and little rain to cool the water greatly contributed to the aggressive growth of the weeds. OWL hopes to stay on top of the weed situation for 2003.

 

Special Assessment District (SAD)

The petition process for this Special Assessment District (SAD) is moving forward. As stated on the petition monies are required for the purpose of aquatic management and dam maintenance. The next steps in the process, after the signed petitions are turned into the Township, is the first public hearing, scheduled for Monday September 23, 2002, at 6:30 P.M. at the Brighton Township Offices located at 4363 Buno Road. The second hearing, required by law, is tentatively scheduled for October 3, 2002, same location as the first hearing. You will be receiving notices by mail from the Township Offices and there will be notifications in the Brighton Argus. The OWL Board wants to thank you for your continuing support.

 

The Floating Island

Boaters, please be advised that a floating island has appeared between the big island in the main part of the lake, known to many as Sefa’s Island, and the lakefront properties just south of Meier’ s Flower Land. This Phenomenon occurs when the temperatures remain high for an extended period. Gases build up underground and force the ground to rise, sometimes above the water level. The ground will retreat back into the water when the gases have escaped through the soil. Thank-you to whomever marked the hazardous area with plastic bottles. Boaters, skiers, and personal watercraft should take note and use caution in the area. More information is available on the website, www.woodlandlake info

 

Board Meetings

The Organization of Woodland Lake (OWL) meets on the second Wednesday of each month, except December. The meetings are held at the Brighton Township Hall located at 4363 Buno Road, Brighton Michigan, 48114 and start promptly at 7:30. These meeting are open to the public and anyone is welcome to attend. It is planned for the October 9, 2002 meeting to host Mr. David Haywood of D. Haywood & Assoc. P.C. Attorneys at Law. Mr. Haywood is an authority on lakes and streams law as well as riparian rights. The OWL board has prepared a list of questions which we have forwarded to Mr. Haywood in Lansing. This advance notice approach will give Mr. Haywood time to research answers and give OWL the most value for the two hours he is able to spend with us.

 

 

Fall Chores and Lakeside Precautions

by Doug Taylor

 

LET’S FERTILIZE THE WEEDS IN THE LAKE, so they grow really tall and thick next spring and summer you ask, “Who would do such a crazy thing?” Many residents around the lake do just at when they burn leaves and brush at lakeside close enough to the lake that the ashes wash into the lake

When it rains. Ashes contain nutrients, which plants need to grow. Many of the nutrients in the ashes are the same as those you buy in fertilizers. So if you burn at or near the lake, don't be surprised by a bumper weed crop in your swimming area in front of your house. If you have neighbors who burns in a manner that pollutes the lake cut this article out, talk to him/her about it or paste it on his door, if he/she is not the talkative type.

 

 

Docks and boat hoists left in the water over winter are susceptible to damage by the stresses ice pressure can put on them. Removal in the fall is recommended. The weight and cumbersome nature of many of these may require assistance -strained backs and/or heart attacks are too great a price to pay for asking (or paying for help.

 

Rafts and buoys and other items put in the lake which mark a spot or area should be removed. In the winter when the ice freezes these into a fixed position, they can present a hazard to skiers and snowmobilers.

 

Working in very cold water can be hazardous (bring on a he art attack), dangerous fingers cannot hold tools and they can slip causing injury) or cause extreme exertion (body trying to keep warm). If working in cold water late in the season, dress appropriately with waders or a wet suit and wear gloves that will be flexible enough for the chore but will provide some protection against the cold water. If you do get wet, do not staying wet clothes while you “clean things up” change first and then clean up.

 

WINTER SAFETY

 

The concern for safety in summer must translate to concern for safety in winter as well. The use of the lake in winter is much different than that of summer and carries with it a new set of concerns. One of the most important things you can do when using the lake in winter is to remember: