The annual review we received from our lake consultants, Onterra LLC., for the 2023 dive season was positive.  Diver hand harvesting achieved its goals in the predetermined target areas on the lake. Our divers harvested 5783 pounds of EWM from the lake, the third highest year of EWM collection since the program started, and the highest since 2014. High levels of EWM were consistent with other lakes in the northern regions of the state. 

 

The divers reported that the milfoil returned to areas very quickly and more vigorously after being harvested than in previous diving seasons.  Milfoil was harvested in most areas of the lake. In some areas of the lake, divers returned 5 and 6 times to keep those areas clean. The Loon Bay area area continues to be an area of concern because of the difficulty of harvesting this shallow water bay

 

Two of our regular divers will be returning to dive again next summer. We continue to look for new divers. If you have interest or know of an interested diver please contact Tom Johansen (district chairperson). Next summer we will again be using, Aquatic PLant Management, a milfoil removal company from Minocqua. This company uses a dive boat with four air hoses for divers to swim in front of the boat and harvest milfoil. Please watch for them next summer, and like our other dive boat, maintain a save distance (over 100 feet) from the boat and divers.

 

Chloride levels were measured again this summer.  The level was recorded at 14.3 mg/l which is an elevatated level from the first recording in 1993 at     4 mg/l. but consistent with last years reading of 14.4 mg/l.  Salt runoff from highway 8 is assumed to have made an impact on the increased chloride levels. We are communicating with the state and county highway departments to share our future readings and potential concerns.

 

Marking buoys for loon nesting areas and dangerous rock shoals were purchased and placed on the lake this summer. These actions fulfilled the requests of the electors from the 2022 annual meeting.