FALL NEWS FROM THE LITTLE ST. GERMAIN LAKE
PROTECTION & REHABILITATION DISTRICT
Native Weeds
In 2019 we did not need to cut weeds as they were not a problem for boat navigation. The District Commissioners were ready and had the permit in hand, but the weather and weeds did not make the cutting necessary.
Exotic Weeds
In 2019, we used a local contractor and their DASH boats (Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting). We cleared several areas in West Bay and some in No Fish Bay. The Town Lakes Committee refunded $4,712 to the District as 20% of our costs. Thank you to the Town!
Our plans for next year are to gain approval from the DNR to do larger scale chemical treatment of the worst areas in the lake which include sections of West Bay and South Bay. We will make an application to the DNR this Fall for that work.
Our Annual Meeting
The annual meeting for 2019 was held on September 1, 2019 in the St. Germain Community Center. The property owners in attendance voted to add more buoys in East Bay to protect the aeration line that has been hit by props several times in the past years. A request to the DNR is in process for that effort.
The property owners also approved the funds needed to start the process with the USGS to study a “Draw-Down” plan that would reduce the amount of phosphorus in the lake in fall. This is dependent on obtaining a grant from the DNR to help fund the bulk of the costs over the next 4 or 5 years. (Phosphorus in the lake tends to make algae blooms and reduce clarity.) Our goal is to lower the phosphorus level of the lake by 5 to 8%. We already have tentative approval from Wisconsin Valley Improvement Corporation who owns the dam, and from the DNR.
The property owners also elected Tom Groth to another 3-year term as Chairman.