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Lake Issues
Update on Special Assessment District 2023
Special Assessment District (SAD)
Nearly Fifteen years ago a small group of concerned citizens worked for many months to establish a SAD (Special Assessment District) in order to gain funding to address a critical need on our lake. At that time, Wamplers lake as well as other lakes in our area were being infested by aggressive invasive vegetation. After much research and discussions on how to address this problem, a SAD was established in corporation with Norvell and Cambridge townships as the management sources, and the Riparians on Wamplers lake contributed to the SAD fund through an assessment to their property tax. The SAD was established for $100 for Riparian’s on the lake and $50 yearly for those on the canals.
Over the years, the treatment has changed from a broad treatment of areas of the lake, to pin-point applications that address the specific need for treatment in those specific areas. We have incorporated a Lake Manager with the required expertise to address our needs. The Lake Management organization has the knowledge for use of the required chemicals and is the expert on current and future needs in our ecosystem. Each year they analyze the state of the lake, do geographic surveys of the lake bottom, pin-point where treatment will be needed and supervise the treatment of the lake by a separate company doing the application. A yearly Lake Management report summarizes the status, treatment options and creates the plan for the following year. This report is available to all WLPOA members upon request. This process has proven beneficial as each year we treat less and less acreage on the lake, and there are fewer and fewer chemicals being used. Even with the boat traffic from the State Park constantly bringing in new invasive weeds, and weeds dragged in from the highly infected Round Lake, Wamplers Lake remains a highly desirable lake with open waters, abundant fisheries, and active recreational use.
There will, however, continue to be challenges with new species invading our lake that will need to be addressed. Nearly every lake in our area has a program such as ours. We happen to be one of the first to address these problems so many years ago. Hard to image the status of our lake had we not. This year we will need to renew the Special Assessment districts for both Norvell and Cambridge townships. The effort to renew the SAD and continue to monitor and treat Wamplers Lake requires the support of the majority of the Wamplers Lake community.
Public hearings will be held to discuss and answer any questions or address any concerns. Your support is essential if we are to keep Wamplers Lake healthy for all of us today and for future generations.
WLPOA Board
Lake management Report
Summary from 2022 Lake Management report:
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For 2023 Continuous aquatic vegetation surveys will be conducted to determine the precise locations of EWM, CLP, or Starry Stonewort (primarily found in the canals) or other problematic invasives in Wamplers Lake. These surveys will occur in mid to late-May to early-June and again post-treatment in 2023. Due to the relative scarcity of native aquatic vegetation in Wamplers Lake, the treatment of these species with aquatic herbicides is not recommended (one exception is the overgrowth of nuisance weeds in the canals).
The plan for 2023 includes the use of higher doses of systemic aquatic herbicides due to the genetically determined strains of hybrid milfoil that require such doses for effective treatment. A new systemic herbicide ProcellaCOR® may also be used and has demonstrated good efficacy. It is costly but has sustained control. The nuisance growth in the canals would respond well to flumioxazin at 200 ppb if needed or with a combination of diquat and hydrothol. Curly-leaf Pondweed will respond well to Aquathol-K® at 1-2 gallons per acre or with diquat at the same doses. Starry Stonewort will respond well to a mixture of Clipper® at 200 ppb and chelated copper.
In conclusion, Wamplers Lake is a healthy lake with good aquatic plant biodiversity, good water clarity, moderate nutrients, and a healthy lake fishery. Management of the EWM, CLP, and Starry Stonewort are paramount for the long-term health of the lake. Thus far, the invasive species management efforts have been very successful with over 80% of the original milfoil infestation reduced
Update on Impacts of Prop Wash on Lake Sediments 2023
A webinar event provided by our friends at Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates (MLR).
Message from Jeff Forrester, MLR Executive Director
With the introduction of larger, more powerful watercraft and the increasing popularity of wake surfing, reliable, peer reviewed research into wake energy, the power and depth of prop thrust turbulence and the impact of these forces on lake ecology is both critically important and long overdue. With good best practices we can enjoy our lakes without loving them to death. MLR is proud to have had the opportunity to share the latest research by the Saint Anthony Falls Lab into these issues.
If you were unable to attend, or if you would like a link to a recording of the "Update on Impacts of Prop Wash on Lake Sediments," here is a link: https://mnlakesandrivers.org/webinars/
Wamplers Lake Depth Chart
Gravel Pit Issue
A letter from Citizens Protect Irish Hills addressing the proposed Gravel Pit.
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Dear Wamplers Lake Association,
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Citizens Protect Irish Hills is a non-profit, entirely volunteer organization focused on the impact of proposed aggregate (sand and gravel) mining activity in Cambridge Township. We want to provide you with an update on the two conditional use permit applications submitted to the Cambridge Township Commission by SSP Leasing LLC, for gravel mining. SSP Leasing LLC submitted two conditional use permits the first permit was for the South side of US 12 and the second permit was for the North side of US 12 along Person Highway. The entire property is over 300+ acres in the heart of the Irish Hills. Please see the attached map below. If approved, the proposed gravel mining operations could have a significant negative impact on the natural beauty and ecological health of this area, as well as on the quality of life of residents who live in the surrounding communities.
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There are 5 serious consequences that gravel mining can have on the Irish Hills.
1. Depress our property values
2. Create potential Health issues
3. Ground water disturbance and pollution
4. Traffic flow and safety issues
5. Noise Pollution
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Come join us to protect the Irish Hills. You can support Citizens Protect Irish Hills by volunteering, joining the Citizens Protect Irish Hills monthly meetings, attending the Cambridge Township Planning and Board Meetings and giving financial support.
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We will continue to monitor the situation closely and advocate for the protection of the Irish Hills. We appreciate your ongoing support and will keep you updated on any developments in this matter. You can see any updates on Citizens Protect Irish Hills Facebook page and Website.
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Sincerely,
Citizens Protect Irish Hills
Donations can be sent to PO Box 803 Brooklyn, MI. 49230 and GoFundMe.
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Please join the efforts to oppose this development.
