LLPOA Lake Management Committee Update: June 11, 2024

LLPOA LAKE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE UPDATE

June 11, 2024

inform & educate residents; develop sustainable lake management solutions

Thanks to all the volunteers who helped at the South Beach cleanup, the Adopt a Beach program, buffer strip and garden weeding and also Deb Edmunds for the painting of the benches, entryway sign and the front of the shed door at South Beach.
Carp removal – We removed 32 large carp this spring and 12 large carp last fall. We will continue to remove carp as Lake County Health Department’s schedule allows. The major benefits of carp removal are to reduce their negative impact on our lake. The negative impacts include – carp root out native plants as they feed decreasing plant coverage, carp eat their body weight in plants each day (and poop that much), carp stir up silt from the bottom affecting water quality and they disturb fish beds of other fish
The weed harvesting last week removed 18.5 trailer loads of plant material totaling over 27,000 pounds. The main purpose of removing the weeds was to remove excess nutrients from our lake and reduce the silt build-up at the bottom of the lake. The committee is recommending adding additional days to the weed harvesting schedule as some areas are already showing signs of regrowth. Since this is our first year utilizing harvesting as our primary weed management method we knew we would have to evaluate and adjust as we went along. The weed harvester can not cut the weeds along the entire lakefront shoreline. Lakefront homeowners are encouraged to rake their shorelines to remove weeds and algae. A number of lakefront homeowners have been busy this spring raking weeds and algae from their shoreline. It was suggested that this is an opportunity for local teens to earn some summer money by raking shorelines for residents.
South Beach swim area – Algae growth will continue around the lake with the warmer summer months. Water movement devices have proven effective at reducing algae growth. Some residents are seeing less algae growth along their shorelines due to having water movement devices like aerators or circulators. The committee will be recommending the purchase of a water circulation device for use at the South Beach swim area. Lakefront homeowners who are seeing excessive weeds and/or algae along their shoreline are encouraged to consider purchasing and installing a water movement device for their shoreline.
The committee discussed the positive impact the geese lights have had and will be recommending the purchase of additional lights for better coverage around the entire lake. It was also discussed that the best way to prevent the geese from being here all summer is to prevent them from nesting here in the early spring. More lakefront homeowners need to clean up their shorelines and install geese deterrents. There are several properties that are not kept up and are providing perfect nesting areas for the geese.
Beach fencing update – Thanks to Paul for enhancing the fences at the 3 boat launch areas at South Beach and to Dan and Marty for installing the remaining fencing along the dam. We remind everyone to replace the fencing when you take it down.
Biodredge Update – 68 bags of biodredge were ordered (33 bought by homeowners) and spread in the lake. Silt depth readings will be taken next month to determine the effectiveness this year.
We are combining the Tony Baade Fishing Tournament and the Lochfest Kids Fishing Derby this year. Both will be held concurrently from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM this Saturday. Registration is at South Beach.
Meetings are being scheduled with the Park District and the VIllage of Mundelein to discuss stormwater runoff flowing into our lake. I will provide updates after these meetings.

Mark Your Calendars:

Saturday June 15 – 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Tony Baade Fishing Derby and Kids Fishing Derby – Registration is 9:00 AM at South Beach (flyer below)
Saturday June 15 – 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM – South Beach swim area raking party
Monday June 17 – 7:00 PM – LLPOA Board Meeting – Mundelein Firehouse
Adopt a Beach sign up – on the website or email Erich at llpoa@pineapplebrand.com
Adopt a Garden sign up email Mickey at mickeyemde@lochlomondlake.com