Background
The Lake Improvement Committee (LIC) was formed in 2003 to work
entirely on improving Locke Lake. Our members are not elected, and we are
always looking for helping hands. If you would like to see positive
changes so that Locke Lake remains a great place to live, and so that
property values continue to increase, then please contact one of the LIC
members and come to the next meeting. We meet every 6-8 weeks.
Lake
Management Plan
A long-term lake management plan was created after holding a
"visioning" session in early 2003 which was attended by over 60
property owners and other concerned citizens. Using input from the session
the LIC developed the following goals:
1. Improve water quality to meet expectations of lake property owners and
recreational users.
2. Protect and improve aquatic and shoreline plant populations to support
fish and wildlife, prevent erosion, and allow for recreational use of the
lake.
3. Protect and improve the population of game fish
4. Eliminate lakeshore and watershed septic systems as significant sources
of lake pollution.
5. Protect and improve the natural beauty and value of shoreline property.
The plan lays out actions that have been or will be taken to achieve
the above goals. If you would like a paper or email copy, please contact a
committee member.
Funding
The LIC operates as a group of volunteers with no operating budget.
Activities to improve the lake are paid through property owner fees, lake
association dues, grants, and fundraisers.
Accomplishments
to Date
1. Researched, wrote and distributed a Lake
Management Plan for Locke Lake.
2. Earned $5,000 in grants from the Initiative Foundation, half of which
has been received. The rest will be received after we complete a lake
improvement project in 2004.
3. Thoroughly researched the use of copper sulfate as an algae control
method, concluding it is safe for Locke Lake.
4. Organized and implemented whole lake algae treatment for 2003 and 2004.
5. Organized and implemented curly leaf pond weed treatment for 2004 for
those residents who wanted it.
6. Printed and distributed best management practices to lake shore
property owners.
7. Encouraged a voluntary no wake zone in the smallest bay of the lake to
minimize disturbed sediment, which can lead to more algae.
8. Met with an engineering firm to understand the likely causes of excess
algae and received a bid for a lake engineering study.. The study is
currently on hold until we can decide whether it is worth the $15,000 -
$20,000 price tag.
9. Researched and informed property owners on the DNR's stocking program
for Locke Lake.
10. Provided written information to property owners in the lake
association news letter to encourage good choices regarding buffer strips,
fertilizer usage, and erosion control.
11. Met with the Silver Lake Association and the Soil and Water
conservation Agency Manager to generate ideas on how to reduce upstream
pollution.
12. Walked the entire length of the creek between Silver and Locke to
search for potential sources of pollution.
13. Conducted a septic system survey to help deal with systems that may be
polluting the lake. We are currently working with home owners who have
systems that may need repair.
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