From the GM

May 17, 2024

Good News

I spent several hours on the East Lake looking at the progress so far from our 1^st treatment of the East Lake Coves. The temper was 80 degrees F. and a slight 2-3 MPH wind. It was very evident that the treatment is working as planned. This post could be 100 words or it could be 10,000 words as lake aquatics are complex. I choose to keep this brief.

The Coontail and Curly leaf Pondweed as well as other weeds are dying in the areas that we have sprayed this week. They are browning up and becoming dislodged. Parts of the plants are floating on the surface while larger stems of the plants are moving below the surface.

They are moving in the direction of the wind, heading to a shoreline to stop and sink to the bottom and decay. In some of the worst coves, the wind has cleared the shallowest parts of the cove and the majority of the plants are moving to center to go down the lake with the wind towards the dam.

We intentionally did not spray every last acre in order to prevent an oxygen depleted zone. The contractor will come back next week to continue with the 2^nd round of spraying, which when applied to manufacturers specifications like was done this week, it will again be successful in cleaning up much more of the remaining nuisance weeds. We will document the results with drone pictures next week and plan accordingly.

Right now, while the dead plants are moving, boat traffic cruising around the lake will help further break it up. Last week there were many spots that would foul a boats prop. Today, we could cruise right through it, with the exception of a smaller area in La Costsa Cove that we will treat next week.

What got us to this point is a very strong community position on natural aquatic habitat. During the drought of 2012, the lake was 12 ft. below full pool and many cove bottoms were exposed or in extremely shallow and warm water. Since the drought of 2012, many cycles of accelerating plant growth followed by the receding of the plant and re-seeding of the bottom in nutrient rich waters has, like any other lake, allowed the plants to be predominant in the shallower coves. Year after year of silt buildup causes that coves to become a little more shallow each year. Last year was the first year we, as a community, elected to start defensively treating the aquatic growth. It will take several years to actually reduce and eliminate the plants to what some people consider acceptable. Yet we still have to balance the visual wants and needs with the health of the lake and our fish population. So we don’t do anything drastic or in overabundance.

Again, the good news is that this week’s treatment is working and we expect the lake to be in good shape for Memorial day weekend, weather permitting, and a second round of chemical applications.

So grab your pontoon get a nice bottle of wine and cruise the east lake to help break things up.

Please remember, we are working within the confines of the best possible solutions at the most economical scale of expense. We may spend up to $50,000 applying chemicals this year. Probably the same next year. If we get to the point where these preventative applications are not acceptable in either scope or results, the next rung on the ladder starts at around $2 Million dollars and requires additional funds annually for several years. Bringing in dredging equipment to remove, at a minimum, the 3’ to 4’ grow zone in all of the East Lake Coves will be highly effective for a long term. However, we only reserve for the de-siltation of our lake protection silt collection ponds. If we need to de-silt the East Lake Coves, it will come at a very significant assessment to all members of the LPOA.

We should also all help reinforce the fact, for young and old, that the lake is not a swimming pool. Please wear a life vest while in the water and if you see a thick growth of aquatic plants, avoid that area, call in a work order, and we will get it treated.

So please accept this good news, stay calm, and let us complete our work this year and I truly believe you will be impressed with the results.

Best Regards,

Mark Reid