Lake Weed Pick-up will stop on November 1st.
Please contact the office if you have weeds/lake debris that you would like to have picked up by our maintenance staff by Mon Oct. 25th.
Posted 10/2021
Please contact the office if you have weeds/lake debris that you would like to have picked up by our maintenance staff by Mon Oct. 25th.
Posted 10/2021
October 13, 2021 IMPORTANT UPDATES AND NOTICES
4. We are reaching out to our membership to see if we can locate a CIVIL ENGINEER who could provide us with guidance on the best way to address a reoccurring problem with one of our roads, which we hope to repair before winter. If you have experience and/or education in Civil Engineering please call our office at 517-688-9704. We will be very grateful speak with you.
5. Board meeting date changes for November and December to work around the holidays:
Wed. November 17th and Wed. December 8th
Posted 10/2021
- The Hillsdale County Drain Commissioner will start the drawdown of the lake levels to the court-ordered winter levels on or about Oct 15th .
- All moored boats, poles, and docks must be removed and off of Association property by Nov 15th.
- Your Maintenance Committee is assembling a list of members who are willing to help with some important projects. Currently we need help with removal of fall leaves around our properties.
4. We are reaching out to our membership to see if we can locate a CIVIL ENGINEER who could provide us with guidance on the best way to address a reoccurring problem with one of our roads, which we hope to repair before winter. If you have experience and/or education in Civil Engineering please call our office at 517-688-9704. We will be very grateful speak with you.
5. Board meeting date changes for November and December to work around the holidays:
Wed. November 17th and Wed. December 8th
Posted 10/2021
9.17.2021
Dear LLPOA Membership,
Note: Be Aware and AVOID any Algae Surface Scum Areas or Accumulations
We have been recently experiencing evidence of blue-green algae in a few areas on both lakes. In most cases the accumulations seem to dissipate throughout the day.
If you do come across an algae film, scum layer, or a matt/blob floating on the surface on either lake AVOID MAKING ANY CONTACT with it. Do NOT use or swim in these visible algae areas, includes pets. We would ask that you report the area to the LLPOA Office (517) 688-9704, and we will investigate.
Our lakes were sampled this past Wednesday, 9/15/21 and the South launch, North launch and North Lake Baker Rd. Bay were identified as areas of concern and were above the EGLE limits for water contact by humans or pets.
(See below Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) “Algae Awareness” posting and also the attached MDHHS Link for other important information about Algae Blooms)
Dear LLPOA Membership,
Note: Be Aware and AVOID any Algae Surface Scum Areas or Accumulations
We have been recently experiencing evidence of blue-green algae in a few areas on both lakes. In most cases the accumulations seem to dissipate throughout the day.
If you do come across an algae film, scum layer, or a matt/blob floating on the surface on either lake AVOID MAKING ANY CONTACT with it. Do NOT use or swim in these visible algae areas, includes pets. We would ask that you report the area to the LLPOA Office (517) 688-9704, and we will investigate.
Our lakes were sampled this past Wednesday, 9/15/21 and the South launch, North launch and North Lake Baker Rd. Bay were identified as areas of concern and were above the EGLE limits for water contact by humans or pets.
(See below Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) “Algae Awareness” posting and also the attached MDHHS Link for other important information about Algae Blooms)
Open MDHHS Link ►
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDNR/bulletins/2ea658b
Membership safety is our top priority and we need your continued help in monitoring our water quality.
If the water looks enjoyable, enjoy it!!!
Thanks for your patience and support.
Posted 9/2021
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDNR/bulletins/2ea658b
Membership safety is our top priority and we need your continued help in monitoring our water quality.
If the water looks enjoyable, enjoy it!!!
Thanks for your patience and support.
Posted 9/2021
To All LLPOA Members:
RE: Water Quality Update: August 20, 2021
We are writing to provide our Members with an update on water quality and the performance of our Laminar Flow Aeration System which was activated on Apr 1st.
In the Spring, the North Lake encountered an unusually large amount of dense green algae, which survived the winter. Despite this problem early on, we were able to achieve improved water quality on the North Lake throughout the season to-date. Some Members have reported improved water clarity and color on the North Lake. We anticipate that we will have some reduction in muck later this year when the RLS testing data is compiled and analyzed. As explained previously, muck is a significant contributor to phosphorous loading and its reduction is one of our objectives for installing aeration. Early in the Spring, invasive weeds proliferated but were also kept in check on both Lakes with a systemic weed control targeted at the areas with the invasive species as identified and specified by RLS.
The South Lake water quality historically has been viewed by some as better than the North Lake, but has recently experienced problems with clarity, color and some algae blooms. Our Lake Manager has recently advised that we require additional improvements for filtration for the main Critical Source Areas (CSAs) inlets to the South Lake. The extremely heavy rains during July and August allowed substantial and abnormally high nutrient flow into the South Lake through the main CSAs, despite the installation of Natural Plantings as required in our Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) permit.
In addition to the above referenced nutrient loading flowing into the South Lake through the CSAs, RLS has advised that heavy phosphorus release from lake bottom caused by the lack of dissolved oxygen in the two deepest locations of the South Lake also seems to be contributing to the turbid (murky) conditions on the South Lake. Our current permit with EGLE for this project imposes restrictions on how much we are allowed to aerate the two deepest locations of the South Lake and also does not allow for additional filtration systems beyond the Natural Plantings that were required by the permit. We will be discussing possible additional permits from EGLE later this year.
It is important to remind all Members that the algae measurements taken on both Lakes and included in the Restorative Lake Sciences, September 11, 2019 Comprehensive Report showed a significant and similar concentration of green, blue-green algae and diatom algae in both Basins. Our Lake Manager advised us in 2019 that the conditions on the South Lake were not far behind the already deteriorating conditions on the North Lake and recommended that we needed to take action soon including implementing Aeration, CSA mitigation and Best Management Practices (BMP’s). (See attached Charts from the September 11, 2019 RLS Report)
We take the concerns of our Members very seriously, especially the current concerns about the water quality on the South Lake. We are working diligently with RLS and EverBlue to formulate options for additional measures and improvements so that we may discuss new options with EGLE after all the required samples are completed and RLS compiles and analyzes the data. We are confident that implementation of some additional measures and/or changes to our aeration system and CSAs will help alleviate the problems on the South Lake. However, we must have your help further implementing Best Management Practices whenever possible to reduce the nutrient and phosphorous loading into the Lakes including the following:
RE: Water Quality Update: August 20, 2021
We are writing to provide our Members with an update on water quality and the performance of our Laminar Flow Aeration System which was activated on Apr 1st.
In the Spring, the North Lake encountered an unusually large amount of dense green algae, which survived the winter. Despite this problem early on, we were able to achieve improved water quality on the North Lake throughout the season to-date. Some Members have reported improved water clarity and color on the North Lake. We anticipate that we will have some reduction in muck later this year when the RLS testing data is compiled and analyzed. As explained previously, muck is a significant contributor to phosphorous loading and its reduction is one of our objectives for installing aeration. Early in the Spring, invasive weeds proliferated but were also kept in check on both Lakes with a systemic weed control targeted at the areas with the invasive species as identified and specified by RLS.
The South Lake water quality historically has been viewed by some as better than the North Lake, but has recently experienced problems with clarity, color and some algae blooms. Our Lake Manager has recently advised that we require additional improvements for filtration for the main Critical Source Areas (CSAs) inlets to the South Lake. The extremely heavy rains during July and August allowed substantial and abnormally high nutrient flow into the South Lake through the main CSAs, despite the installation of Natural Plantings as required in our Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) permit.
In addition to the above referenced nutrient loading flowing into the South Lake through the CSAs, RLS has advised that heavy phosphorus release from lake bottom caused by the lack of dissolved oxygen in the two deepest locations of the South Lake also seems to be contributing to the turbid (murky) conditions on the South Lake. Our current permit with EGLE for this project imposes restrictions on how much we are allowed to aerate the two deepest locations of the South Lake and also does not allow for additional filtration systems beyond the Natural Plantings that were required by the permit. We will be discussing possible additional permits from EGLE later this year.
It is important to remind all Members that the algae measurements taken on both Lakes and included in the Restorative Lake Sciences, September 11, 2019 Comprehensive Report showed a significant and similar concentration of green, blue-green algae and diatom algae in both Basins. Our Lake Manager advised us in 2019 that the conditions on the South Lake were not far behind the already deteriorating conditions on the North Lake and recommended that we needed to take action soon including implementing Aeration, CSA mitigation and Best Management Practices (BMP’s). (See attached Charts from the September 11, 2019 RLS Report)
We take the concerns of our Members very seriously, especially the current concerns about the water quality on the South Lake. We are working diligently with RLS and EverBlue to formulate options for additional measures and improvements so that we may discuss new options with EGLE after all the required samples are completed and RLS compiles and analyzes the data. We are confident that implementation of some additional measures and/or changes to our aeration system and CSAs will help alleviate the problems on the South Lake. However, we must have your help further implementing Best Management Practices whenever possible to reduce the nutrient and phosphorous loading into the Lakes including the following:
- Minimal or no use of lawn fertilizer for Lakefront properties.
- Voluntary Septic System pumping every 3 Years.
- Minimize burning when possible near the Lake.
- Remove all leaves and debris from the Lake regularly and during the winter drawdown.
- Never put leaves or debris or grass clippings into the Lake.
A reminder about boating regulations:
- Proper equipment (such as the correct number of personal flotation devices of appropriate type and size)
- Navigation rules, including those related to boat speed, direction, and distance from other watercraft and the shoreline
- No passenger riding on unsafe areas of the boat (such as the bow)
MI boating laws can be found here:
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79119_79144_79641---,00.html
Enjoy the Lake!
Posted 8/2021
- Proper equipment (such as the correct number of personal flotation devices of appropriate type and size)
- Navigation rules, including those related to boat speed, direction, and distance from other watercraft and the shoreline
- No passenger riding on unsafe areas of the boat (such as the bow)
MI boating laws can be found here:
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79119_79144_79641---,00.html
Enjoy the Lake!
Posted 8/2021
NATURAL SHORELINES AND SEAWALLS
The LLPOA is providing this information to all Members who may be considering a more natural shoreline and/or eco-friendly seawalls. Follow the links below to learn more.
LEARN ABOUT EROSION AND EROSION CONTROL OPTIONS:
Short overview of problems with seawalls, and the advantages and costs of natural shorelines:
https://www.michigan.gov/.../wrd-natural-shorelines...
Another good overview of erosion, how plants help prevent it, and seawalls make it worse https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/erosion-at-the...
Specific techniques for controlling erosion and their associated costs
https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/shoreline-erosion...
NATIVE PLANTINGS- WHAT, WHERE AND WHY:
List of native plants, why they are preferred, and which to plant in different zones relative to the shoreline
https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/plants-for-inland...
CONTRACTORS:
Need help? List of natural shoreline professionals
https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/find-a-shoreline...
Posted 7/2021
The LLPOA is providing this information to all Members who may be considering a more natural shoreline and/or eco-friendly seawalls. Follow the links below to learn more.
LEARN ABOUT EROSION AND EROSION CONTROL OPTIONS:
Short overview of problems with seawalls, and the advantages and costs of natural shorelines:
https://www.michigan.gov/.../wrd-natural-shorelines...
Another good overview of erosion, how plants help prevent it, and seawalls make it worse https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/erosion-at-the...
Specific techniques for controlling erosion and their associated costs
https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/shoreline-erosion...
NATIVE PLANTINGS- WHAT, WHERE AND WHY:
List of native plants, why they are preferred, and which to plant in different zones relative to the shoreline
https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/plants-for-inland...
CONTRACTORS:
Need help? List of natural shoreline professionals
https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/find-a-shoreline...
Posted 7/2021
"NATIVE PLANTINGS"
Our sincere thanks to everyone that participated in the June 13th Native Planting Project. We had 35 attendees and completed all five areas of plantings and coir log installations. Special thanks to Brian Majka (GEI Ecologist) for your hands on leadership, Kate Kirkpatrick from EGLE and Jeff Conners from EverBlue for their extra effort on this project.
All in all it was a HUGE success AGAIN!
Click here for great pictures !
As many of you have requested, below is a link to the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership with a great deal of information about Native Plantings, including what plants will work best in each area and where to purchase.
Click here for information: Plants For Inland Lakes
A permit is not required for you to place native plants above or on your shoreline. Larger scale projects (such as those involving placements of coir logs or riprap) will likely involve applying for a Minor Permit from EGLE, who will provide guidance and expedited review.
Posted 06/2021
Our sincere thanks to everyone that participated in the June 13th Native Planting Project. We had 35 attendees and completed all five areas of plantings and coir log installations. Special thanks to Brian Majka (GEI Ecologist) for your hands on leadership, Kate Kirkpatrick from EGLE and Jeff Conners from EverBlue for their extra effort on this project.
All in all it was a HUGE success AGAIN!
Click here for great pictures !
As many of you have requested, below is a link to the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership with a great deal of information about Native Plantings, including what plants will work best in each area and where to purchase.
Click here for information: Plants For Inland Lakes
A permit is not required for you to place native plants above or on your shoreline. Larger scale projects (such as those involving placements of coir logs or riprap) will likely involve applying for a Minor Permit from EGLE, who will provide guidance and expedited review.
Posted 06/2021
FAQs: What to expect this year regarding the Lake LeAnn Water Quality Project
What exactly are we doing to treat Lake LeAnn this year?
Employing a series of complementary approaches, including laminar flow aeration (to increase oxygen levels in the lakes), bioaugmentation (to break down organic waste on lake bottom), native planting (to filter incoming water and stabilize the shoreline), and encouraging a number of best management practices by our members to further decrease excess nutrient levels.
-How exactly do the aeration and bioaugmentation work?
Aeration provides oxygen deep in the lake, so that oxygen-loving microorganisms can break down the ‘compost’ (muck and sediment from undecayed dead plants and algae) on the lake bottom. This prevents the liberation of phosphorus into the water column that feeds algae during summer months. Aeration also disrupts the special pattern of blue-green algae movement in the water column that gives it a competitive advantage over other less harmful organisms. Bioaugmentation treatment, which will begin in June, adds additional oxygen-loving friendly microbes to the lake, complementing aeration by working to out-compete algae for excess nutrients. With time, decreased compost on the lake bottom will impact nuisance plants as well.
-So will water quality be significantly improved this year?
Every lake responds differently to treatments, depending on its initial condition and other unique characteristics, as well as yearly fluctuations in temperature and rainfall. The changes that we hope to see this year include a decrease in algae, some increase in water clarity, and perhaps a decrease in muck. All of these might not be seen uniformly around both lakes. It is likely that changes in the abundance of nuisance plants will take longer to observe.
-Will we be treating the lakes with chemicals this year?
Yes, chemical treatment remains an important part of our arsenal, at least for the moment. Surveys of the lakes by boat and drone indicate that both lakes have a high abundance of several types of nuisance vegetation. These plants have survived from last year due to a relatively mild winter; similar findings are being reported on many lakes. These plants have also survived prior treatments, indicating there may be the emergence of some treatment-resistance. This is precisely why our long-term strategy cannot depend solely on the continued use of chemicals, but instead on the adoption of complementary approaches. In the meantime, as the other methods gain some traction, we will undertake a one-time widespread treatment of the lakes later this month in order to try to keep the unwanted vegetation at bay. Look for upcoming announcements of the timing of the treatment, as well as any temporary restrictions on the use of lake water for watering plants. If this treatment is successful, follow-up treatments for the remainder of the year will hopefully be more limited in scope and more targeted.
-What can I do to help?
Help out with the native planting sessions scheduled for May and June, then plant some native plants on your own property. Stabilize your shoreline in an eco-friendly manner. Decrease or eliminate fertilizer use. Stop growing and clipping grass near the lake. Empty and inspect your septic system. Contact us with questions.
Posted 5/2021
What exactly are we doing to treat Lake LeAnn this year?
Employing a series of complementary approaches, including laminar flow aeration (to increase oxygen levels in the lakes), bioaugmentation (to break down organic waste on lake bottom), native planting (to filter incoming water and stabilize the shoreline), and encouraging a number of best management practices by our members to further decrease excess nutrient levels.
-How exactly do the aeration and bioaugmentation work?
Aeration provides oxygen deep in the lake, so that oxygen-loving microorganisms can break down the ‘compost’ (muck and sediment from undecayed dead plants and algae) on the lake bottom. This prevents the liberation of phosphorus into the water column that feeds algae during summer months. Aeration also disrupts the special pattern of blue-green algae movement in the water column that gives it a competitive advantage over other less harmful organisms. Bioaugmentation treatment, which will begin in June, adds additional oxygen-loving friendly microbes to the lake, complementing aeration by working to out-compete algae for excess nutrients. With time, decreased compost on the lake bottom will impact nuisance plants as well.
-So will water quality be significantly improved this year?
Every lake responds differently to treatments, depending on its initial condition and other unique characteristics, as well as yearly fluctuations in temperature and rainfall. The changes that we hope to see this year include a decrease in algae, some increase in water clarity, and perhaps a decrease in muck. All of these might not be seen uniformly around both lakes. It is likely that changes in the abundance of nuisance plants will take longer to observe.
-Will we be treating the lakes with chemicals this year?
Yes, chemical treatment remains an important part of our arsenal, at least for the moment. Surveys of the lakes by boat and drone indicate that both lakes have a high abundance of several types of nuisance vegetation. These plants have survived from last year due to a relatively mild winter; similar findings are being reported on many lakes. These plants have also survived prior treatments, indicating there may be the emergence of some treatment-resistance. This is precisely why our long-term strategy cannot depend solely on the continued use of chemicals, but instead on the adoption of complementary approaches. In the meantime, as the other methods gain some traction, we will undertake a one-time widespread treatment of the lakes later this month in order to try to keep the unwanted vegetation at bay. Look for upcoming announcements of the timing of the treatment, as well as any temporary restrictions on the use of lake water for watering plants. If this treatment is successful, follow-up treatments for the remainder of the year will hopefully be more limited in scope and more targeted.
-What can I do to help?
Help out with the native planting sessions scheduled for May and June, then plant some native plants on your own property. Stabilize your shoreline in an eco-friendly manner. Decrease or eliminate fertilizer use. Stop growing and clipping grass near the lake. Empty and inspect your septic system. Contact us with questions.
Posted 5/2021
New Drone Videos of the Aeration System
These are spectacular aerial views of our lakes and clearly show the aerators operating in each area.
Special Thanks to Director Dave Wagner for providing the drone video!
Posted 5/2021
These are spectacular aerial views of our lakes and clearly show the aerators operating in each area.
Special Thanks to Director Dave Wagner for providing the drone video!
Posted 5/2021
Zoom: Shoreline Management Practices and Lake LeAnn Shoreline Projects Meeting held 4-17-21
Brooklyn Exponent News Article about our new Laminar Flow Aeration System Published 4-27-21
Hillsdale Daily News Article about our new Laminar Flow Aeration System Published 4-19-2021
Laminar Flow Aeration (LFA)
Posted 04/2021