Water Quality Update - Regarding Recent Rainfall
***Please be AWARE***
Dear LLPOA Membership,
Due to the recent heavy rainfall washing away off lake properties & shoreline lawn nutrients and dumping them into our lakes and fertilizing it we have been getting numerous Member Concerns on our north lake around blue green algae blooms.
We are working with our lake applicator to schedule a treatment ASAP. Unfortunately, the earliest they can get us scheduled is Thursday or Friday of next week. With these types of blooms they can be gone in an instant, we’ll keep our appointment and make the call next week
If you are experiencing a green or blue green film that looks like someone spilled paint in the water, we are advising you and your pets to stay out of the water and NOT make any contact with it.
These occurrences usually happen in the AM and dissipate in the afternoon, but we have had a couple of incidents on the NL, south end where the blooms have been present most of the day. Mother Nature is in control of when and where they will appear. This is not usually a whole lake opportunity, just the shorelines downwind of the prevailing weather pattern.
Below is an Algae Awareness message from the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services:
***Please be AWARE***
Dear LLPOA Membership,
Due to the recent heavy rainfall washing away off lake properties & shoreline lawn nutrients and dumping them into our lakes and fertilizing it we have been getting numerous Member Concerns on our north lake around blue green algae blooms.
We are working with our lake applicator to schedule a treatment ASAP. Unfortunately, the earliest they can get us scheduled is Thursday or Friday of next week. With these types of blooms they can be gone in an instant, we’ll keep our appointment and make the call next week
If you are experiencing a green or blue green film that looks like someone spilled paint in the water, we are advising you and your pets to stay out of the water and NOT make any contact with it.
These occurrences usually happen in the AM and dissipate in the afternoon, but we have had a couple of incidents on the NL, south end where the blooms have been present most of the day. Mother Nature is in control of when and where they will appear. This is not usually a whole lake opportunity, just the shorelines downwind of the prevailing weather pattern.
Below is an Algae Awareness message from the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services:
![Picture](/uploads/3/9/0/8/39088599/algae-awareness-mdhhs_orig.png)
Please forward any pictures of concern with date, location, & time to [email protected] so we can document and pass the information along to our Lake Manager for review and commentary.
Sincerely,
Bob Halstead
LLPOA LCC Chairman
Posted 7/13/24
Reminder for Registered Voters:
Please vote! This is an important election for Somerset Township this year.
August 6, 2024 Primary Election
Please vote! This is an important election for Somerset Township this year.
August 6, 2024 Primary Election
LLPOA Annual Membership Meeting
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TimberChar™
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The Annual Meeting was held on Saturday June 8, 2024
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TimberChar is an EPA approved Nutrient Harvesting filter technology which is hung from docks and boats (approved by EGLE) to remove large quantities of phosphorus and other nutrients from a lake’s ecosystem.
(TimberChar™ will replace the BioBlast treatments without additional cost.) TimberChar™ Nutrient Harvesting Filters are now available the LLPOA Office Open Hours: Tues/Fri 10am - 4pm and Sat 9am - 12pm Also available by appointment ! Contact the Office for more information: [email protected] Posted June 17, 2024 |
Text Messaging is Now Available to Our Members.
Stay up to date with LLPOA Text Messaging and get updates sent directly to your mobile phone.
Opt-in for Lake LeAnn Property Owners Association text messaging and stay informed on upcoming events, reminders and important alerts – all delivered straight to your mobile phone.
Our text messages are about convenience and keeping you informed in real-time.
Please opt-in with only 1 phone number per household.
Click the link below to opt-in by completing the contact form.
https://app2.simpletexting.com/join/joinWebForm?webFormId=664237a537c9d707323b0766&c=USA
Posted May 2024
Stay up to date with LLPOA Text Messaging and get updates sent directly to your mobile phone.
Opt-in for Lake LeAnn Property Owners Association text messaging and stay informed on upcoming events, reminders and important alerts – all delivered straight to your mobile phone.
Our text messages are about convenience and keeping you informed in real-time.
Please opt-in with only 1 phone number per household.
Click the link below to opt-in by completing the contact form.
https://app2.simpletexting.com/join/joinWebForm?webFormId=664237a537c9d707323b0766&c=USA
Posted May 2024
In a continued effort to keep our Members informed about any new or pending Michigan legislation that could potentially impact our Lakes, please see the new postings below, provided by the Michigan Waterfront Alliance (MWA) about a new pending Bill, concerning the use of Wake Boats in Wake Mode and the MWA Summary of four new pending Bills about proposed Septic System regulations.
Proposed Bill 5532, IF PASSED, would restrict the operation of wake boats to distances of 500 feet or more from a shoreline or dock, and to water depths of 20 feet or more. The DNR 2022 recommendations concerning the use of Wake Boats in wake-mode is available below.
Proposed Bills, House Bills 4479 & 4480 and Senate Bills 299 & 300, which are all pending in the Michigan House and Senate could impose new Septic System maintenance requirements and other changes IF PASSED.
Proposed Bill 5532, IF PASSED, would restrict the operation of wake boats to distances of 500 feet or more from a shoreline or dock, and to water depths of 20 feet or more. The DNR 2022 recommendations concerning the use of Wake Boats in wake-mode is available below.
Proposed Bills, House Bills 4479 & 4480 and Senate Bills 299 & 300, which are all pending in the Michigan House and Senate could impose new Septic System maintenance requirements and other changes IF PASSED.
Septic Information
Effective July 1, 2023 members are required to have their septic tank(s) pumped and inspected every five years (at a minimum) by a licensed septic system service provider. All members must provide documentation (a letter or paid receipt) from a licensed septic service provider to the LLPOA Office evidencing the pumping and inspection of septic holding tank(s).
Members are required to provide the first documentation by July 1, 2028.
The office will take documentation at any time and keep copies on file.
Posted 2/2024
Effective July 1, 2023 members are required to have their septic tank(s) pumped and inspected every five years (at a minimum) by a licensed septic system service provider. All members must provide documentation (a letter or paid receipt) from a licensed septic service provider to the LLPOA Office evidencing the pumping and inspection of septic holding tank(s).
Members are required to provide the first documentation by July 1, 2028.
The office will take documentation at any time and keep copies on file.
Posted 2/2024
NATURAL SHORELINES AND SEAWALLS
The LLPOA is providing this information to all Members who may be considering a more natural shoreline and/or eco-friendly seawalls. Follow the links below to learn more.
LEARN ABOUT EROSION AND EROSION CONTROL OPTIONS:
Short overview of problems with seawalls, and the advantages and costs of natural shorelines:
https://www.michigan.gov/.../wrd-natural-shorelines...
Another good overview of erosion, how plants help prevent it, and seawalls make it worse https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/erosion-at-the...
Specific techniques for controlling erosion and their associated costs
https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/shoreline-erosion...
NATIVE PLANTINGS- WHAT, WHERE AND WHY:
List of native plants, why they are preferred, and which to plant in different zones relative to the shoreline
https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/plants-for-inland...
CONTRACTORS:
Need help? List of natural shoreline professionals
https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/find-a-shoreline...
Posted 7/2021
The LLPOA is providing this information to all Members who may be considering a more natural shoreline and/or eco-friendly seawalls. Follow the links below to learn more.
LEARN ABOUT EROSION AND EROSION CONTROL OPTIONS:
Short overview of problems with seawalls, and the advantages and costs of natural shorelines:
https://www.michigan.gov/.../wrd-natural-shorelines...
Another good overview of erosion, how plants help prevent it, and seawalls make it worse https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/erosion-at-the...
Specific techniques for controlling erosion and their associated costs
https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/shoreline-erosion...
NATIVE PLANTINGS- WHAT, WHERE AND WHY:
List of native plants, why they are preferred, and which to plant in different zones relative to the shoreline
https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/plants-for-inland...
CONTRACTORS:
Need help? List of natural shoreline professionals
https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/find-a-shoreline...
Posted 7/2021
FAQs: What to expect this year regarding the Lake LeAnn Water Quality Project
What exactly are we doing to treat Lake LeAnn this year?
Employing a series of complementary approaches, including laminar flow aeration (to increase oxygen levels in the lakes), bioaugmentation (to break down organic waste on lake bottom), native planting (to filter incoming water and stabilize the shoreline), and encouraging a number of best management practices by our members to further decrease excess nutrient levels.
-How exactly do the aeration and bioaugmentation work?
Aeration provides oxygen deep in the lake, so that oxygen-loving microorganisms can break down the ‘compost’ (muck and sediment from undecayed dead plants and algae) on the lake bottom. This prevents the liberation of phosphorus into the water column that feeds algae during summer months. Aeration also disrupts the special pattern of blue-green algae movement in the water column that gives it a competitive advantage over other less harmful organisms. Bioaugmentation treatment, which will begin in June, adds additional oxygen-loving friendly microbes to the lake, complementing aeration by working to out-compete algae for excess nutrients. With time, decreased compost on the lake bottom will impact nuisance plants as well.
-So will water quality be significantly improved this year?
Every lake responds differently to treatments, depending on its initial condition and other unique characteristics, as well as yearly fluctuations in temperature and rainfall. The changes that we hope to see this year include a decrease in algae, some increase in water clarity, and perhaps a decrease in muck. All of these might not be seen uniformly around both lakes. It is likely that changes in the abundance of nuisance plants will take longer to observe.
-Will we be treating the lakes with chemicals this year?
Yes, chemical treatment remains an important part of our arsenal, at least for the moment. Surveys of the lakes by boat and drone indicate that both lakes have a high abundance of several types of nuisance vegetation. These plants have survived from last year due to a relatively mild winter; similar findings are being reported on many lakes. These plants have also survived prior treatments, indicating there may be the emergence of some treatment-resistance. This is precisely why our long-term strategy cannot depend solely on the continued use of chemicals, but instead on the adoption of complementary approaches. In the meantime, as the other methods gain some traction, we will undertake a one-time widespread treatment of the lakes later this month in order to try to keep the unwanted vegetation at bay. Look for upcoming announcements of the timing of the treatment, as well as any temporary restrictions on the use of lake water for watering plants. If this treatment is successful, follow-up treatments for the remainder of the year will hopefully be more limited in scope and more targeted.
-What can I do to help?
Help out with the native planting sessions scheduled for May and June, then plant some native plants on your own property. Stabilize your shoreline in an eco-friendly manner. Decrease or eliminate fertilizer use. Stop growing and clipping grass near the lake. Empty and inspect your septic system. Contact us with questions.
What exactly are we doing to treat Lake LeAnn this year?
Employing a series of complementary approaches, including laminar flow aeration (to increase oxygen levels in the lakes), bioaugmentation (to break down organic waste on lake bottom), native planting (to filter incoming water and stabilize the shoreline), and encouraging a number of best management practices by our members to further decrease excess nutrient levels.
-How exactly do the aeration and bioaugmentation work?
Aeration provides oxygen deep in the lake, so that oxygen-loving microorganisms can break down the ‘compost’ (muck and sediment from undecayed dead plants and algae) on the lake bottom. This prevents the liberation of phosphorus into the water column that feeds algae during summer months. Aeration also disrupts the special pattern of blue-green algae movement in the water column that gives it a competitive advantage over other less harmful organisms. Bioaugmentation treatment, which will begin in June, adds additional oxygen-loving friendly microbes to the lake, complementing aeration by working to out-compete algae for excess nutrients. With time, decreased compost on the lake bottom will impact nuisance plants as well.
-So will water quality be significantly improved this year?
Every lake responds differently to treatments, depending on its initial condition and other unique characteristics, as well as yearly fluctuations in temperature and rainfall. The changes that we hope to see this year include a decrease in algae, some increase in water clarity, and perhaps a decrease in muck. All of these might not be seen uniformly around both lakes. It is likely that changes in the abundance of nuisance plants will take longer to observe.
-Will we be treating the lakes with chemicals this year?
Yes, chemical treatment remains an important part of our arsenal, at least for the moment. Surveys of the lakes by boat and drone indicate that both lakes have a high abundance of several types of nuisance vegetation. These plants have survived from last year due to a relatively mild winter; similar findings are being reported on many lakes. These plants have also survived prior treatments, indicating there may be the emergence of some treatment-resistance. This is precisely why our long-term strategy cannot depend solely on the continued use of chemicals, but instead on the adoption of complementary approaches. In the meantime, as the other methods gain some traction, we will undertake a one-time widespread treatment of the lakes later this month in order to try to keep the unwanted vegetation at bay. Look for upcoming announcements of the timing of the treatment, as well as any temporary restrictions on the use of lake water for watering plants. If this treatment is successful, follow-up treatments for the remainder of the year will hopefully be more limited in scope and more targeted.
-What can I do to help?
Help out with the native planting sessions scheduled for May and June, then plant some native plants on your own property. Stabilize your shoreline in an eco-friendly manner. Decrease or eliminate fertilizer use. Stop growing and clipping grass near the lake. Empty and inspect your septic system. Contact us with questions.