Lake Carroll News A publication of the Lake Carroll Association and its members The Lake Carroll News is online! www.golakecarroll.com News & Events>Newspaper October 2013
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Emergency trail training exercise was performed by LCA Security and area emergency responders. See page 10a
The Annual Fishing Club Golf Outing was held September 7th. See page 2B
LAKE STATUS: OPEN As of Friday, September 27th
Information on the current lake status can be found in this edition of the LCN in the GM Report article, as well as at www. golakecarroll.com on the Lake & Natural Resources webpage documents.
LAKE LEVEL
As of Friday, September 27 – 737’ 5”
LAKE - END OF SEASON
All watercraft, piers, docks, swim platforms, boat lifts, etc, must be removed from the lake prior to November 1st of each year.
ADMIN OFFICE CLOSED: Thursday-Saturday, November 28-30 Tuesday/Wednesday, December 24 & 25 Tuesday/Wednesday, Dec 31 & Jan 1 2013 BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE: Oct 18, Nov 22, Dec 1 – Annual Meeting, CHLL Dec 13 (Tentative-if needed)
General Manager’s Report
Well, up to about forty days ago, I probably knew as much about Blue Green Algae, Algal Blooms, and the Toxins they create, as everyone else. Since that time, the Board, our Lake Manager, and I have heard from dozens Michael Schmieder of property owners who all share the same concerns regarding the long-term General Manager health of our lake as we do. This article is being written to explain the challenges the blue-green algal bloom has created, the difficult decisions which were made in the name of human safety, and everything we’re doing to make sure we have a healthy lake in the future. We’re all disappointed that the lake is closed and it only proves what many have known for a long time, the lake is one of the Associations most valuable resources. What we’ve learned is that blue-green algae exist in all bodies of water. Sometimes, when conditions are just right, the blue-green algae will form a bloom and sometimes, when conditions are just right, the bloom will create toxin levels which can be harmful to humans and animals. Fortunately for Lake Carroll, we have not experienced this phenomenon in recent years, although several surrounding lakes have been impacted at one time or another by the same problem. Although much research has been conducted, there is much that remains unknown. What causes the bloom, why are the toxin levels in some blooms so much higher than others, and what can be done to prevent a bloom in the future? These are the questions most of you have and though the research community is studying blue-green algae, they have yet to provide the answers we’re looking for. Information regarding blue-green algae is readily available on our website, as well as the internet for those interested in learning more. Closing the lake ten days before the Labor weekend was obviously not a very popular decision. We were very mindful of the short-term, and potentially long-term economic ramifications which would be caused by such a closure. We also considered the short-term loss of the recreation which the lake provides and the disappointment the membership would feel by not having lake use during the bloom. The bloom, however, was creating toxins and the levels of those toxins were, in some cases, one thousand times higher than the acceptable level for human contact according to the EPA and the World Health Organization. Shortterm contact with the water may have had very harmful, longterm effects on humans. After considering all of the above and weighing recreational use vs. the safety risks involved, we chose
2013 LCA GARAGE SALES “Thank you” to all who participated and attended the LC Garage Sales last weekend. There were a total of 79 sales with a gate count of 562 cars and 1,155 people. It’s the largest sale we’ve had.
to take the “error on the side of caution” route. This choice was later confirmed as the right choice by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency when they were contacted by a concerned Member of Lake Carroll. The most frustrating thing about this situation is that the Lake Committee, the Board, and Management have all been taking a very proactive approach to doing all of the things we feel will keep this lake a healthy one for years to come. To do so, the Board has committed the funds necessary to carry out a multi-year plan to address lake issues such as sediment reduction and sediment removal. Our nutrient rich lake provides the perfect breeding ground for aquatic plant life. This plant life is controlled with chemical treatments, as well as harvesting which as of two years ago, we accomplish with our own equipment and manpower. The nutrient rich sediment which rests at the bottom of the lake must be removed and recently we purchased a dredger which will begin pumping sediment within the next few weeks. Though the 2014 budget has yet to be approved by the Membership, the budget calls for the re-construction of our most critical sediment pond, which is located at Three Tubes. Most of the run-off that enters our lake comes from the north and west, through Three Tubes. Currently, this pond is approximately one-third the size that it should be and is only 10% effective in keeping sediment from entering our lake. To be effective, it must be redesigned and drastically enlarged. We hope to complete this project next year. In closing, the Blue-Green Algae problem is unfortunate, but it is not the result of neglect or a lack of planning. The good news, the condition of the lake has improved greatly over the past couple weeks and our latest water samples showed minimal amounts of the dangerous toxins. I am happy to announce we reopened the Lake on Friday, September 27th. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
WIN YOUR DUES RAFFLE Saturday, October 12th, 5pm, Lodge Wish you bought more tickets? Here’s your chance.
Special deal on Win Your Dues Raffle Tickets! If you’ve already purchased a ticket and now wish you would have bought a six pack of tickets for $100 here’s the way to do so. Come to the assembly point for the Night Ride October 12 at 5pm at the Lodge. Present your stub for the first ticket purchase and you can buy five more for $80, bringing your total purchase to six tickets for $100. Take advantage of this opportunity to increase your chances of winning your dues paid for next year.
PASTA COOK-OFF CANCELLED Due to the lack of interest, the Pasta Cook-Off scheduled for Oct 12 has been cancelled. FISHING TOURNAMENT RESCHEDULED Lake Carroll Classic Bass Tournament was cancelled in September and has been rescheduled for Oct 12th & 13th. To be eligible to fish the Classic, you had to fish 3 of our regular bass tournaments. Registration will start at 6am at the West Marina. Fishing begins at 7am. This event is pending lake status.
Vol. 41 No. 10
2013 Board Candidates Read answers to questions by the Candidates in “Meet the Candidates on page 13A. Don’t miss your opportunity to ask questions in person at the LCA Meet the Candidates forum on Saturday, October 26, 2012 at 2pm in the Conference Center. If you have a specific question for the candidates, please email them to BOD Secretary Jeff Howe at lca-board@howe-family. net.
William H. Jahnke
Norman W. Hoffman
Don Aleksy