Fall 2010
This summer has been one for the record books. We have had a great summer to be on the lake, unlike last year when the weather was cool all summer. But this means that we have had a prime season for growing aquatic plants (weeds).
We have had five harvester operators, each running one day in the week. The excessive weed growth has been an issue with keeping ahead of the weeds. We have had three herbicide applications this summer and some residents believe that the herbicides did absolutely nothing. But, if we did not do the treatments, the weeds would have been much worse. Last summer, the harvester operators would run most of the day and only have one load on the harvester. This year, they have been averaging 2 or more loads each day.
The State (MDNRE) restrictions on herbicides changed between our first treatment this summer and the third (final) treatment. Our first treatment had restrictions on lawn watering. By the last treatment (August 5), the restrictions on watering lawns were removed. Restrictions on watering of gardens (i.e. vegetable plants, perennials, etc.) remained because these plants are more susceptible to the herbicides than grass.
Herbicides are generally only applied 50-60 feet out from shore. This is the treatment area that is covered by the 'no swimming' notices. Swimming is not restricted in the areas near the island, East park, and east end of the lake. These areas do not get treated because of their proximity to the three spillways. The middle of the lake ('swimming area') is also not restricted because of the distance from the treatment area. The dilution rate of the herbicide would be non-hazardous at that point.
The harvester's maneuverability is limited and getting in close to boats and docks is difficult, if not impossible. Cleaning around docks, boats, and boat lifts is the responsibility of the resident/homeowner. If you pile weeds on your property for the harvester to pick up, it needs to be in an open, accessible area where the harvester cutting head can be lowered to stabilize the machine. The operators cannot pick up piles left on docks for safety reasons. They will pick up piles when they are operating in that vicinity.
I'd like to thank the harvester operators -- Dick, Ken, Ed, Carl and Don -- for their long hours in the hot sun; always doing the best job they could under extreme conditions.
Larry Wright
(517) 688-3695
Garage Sale
Saturday, June 23
Boat Parade
Wednesday, July 4
Annual Picnic
Saturday, July 14
(Rain Date July 15)
Couples Golf Outing
August (Date TBD)
Click on the link below for a previous article.
Kieser & Associates
Aquatic Plant Management -- The Board requested assistance from Kieser & Associates for aquatic plant management. The report dated October 5, 2007 is below.
Available as a
Adobe PDF file.
Lake Study -- In the fall of 2004 the Board hired Kieser & Associates to do a lake study, the main purpose of the study was to evaluate Lake Somerset's water quality conditions and make best management recommendations.
On March 18, 2006 at our regular monthly meeting, Mark Kieser presented the board a copy of the study and gave a summary of their findings. In the spring of 2006 the firm Kieser & Associates, presented their Lake Study report to the board.
The report is summarized here.
Water Quality Investigators -- UPDATED January 2011
Wallace E. Fusilier, Ph.D has furnished LSPOA with his updated 1992-2010 Water Quality Studies.
Available as a
Microsoft Word document
or an
Adobe PDF file.
Somerset Township Lakes Study -- Progressive AE
In September of 2005, Somerset Township retained Progressive AE to conduct a study of five lakes within the township. The primary objectives of the study were to evaluate baseline water quality conditions in each of the
lakes and the impact of septic systems.
In October 2006 Progressive AE furnished the results of their study in the following report.
Available as a
Adobe PDF file.