Lake Management Archive

2020 Lake Health Assessment

Researched Lake Management approaches and presented the concept of leveraging a lake management consultant to benefit the health of Lake James to the board. Determined criteria for and a set of companies allow RFP bids from and a deadline. RFP’s were mailed to five companies and they have a deadline of September 18th to respond with bids and required information.

Residents have contacted companies involved and are negatively impacting the RFP process by causing confusion. Review proposals and make selection of lake management consultant – Savin. Savin’s proposal and LJPOA board summary was published on the website.

2020 Weed Control

Met with Guy Savin (president of Savin Lake Services) and the two lake managers responsible for Lake James to express the concerns over the current conditions of the lake. We asked for a more aggressive approach to the weed control. After the meeting Guy was personally performing a Lake Assessment and will be providing ALL potential options for improving the conditions of the lake (From aeration, dredging, harvesting and additional treatments)

Savin Lake Services was on the lake September 17th spraying Lily Pads as posted September 16th. Lily Pad treatment is only be conducted at occupied waterfront property in a 40 ft x 40 ft area. Unoccupied areas i.e., vacant lots and islands were not be treated at this time.

2020 E. Coli Concerns

June 12th the T Canal tested at 1100 but a week later it tested at 81. Testing was performed again on Sept 2nd and the results were good (below 300 is considered safe) across all the testing sites:

• Site #1 Waldenwood 11

• Site #2 Hazelwood 22.8

• Site #3 Briarwood 27.5

• Site #4 Matchwood 79.8

• Site #5 Reflection 48

• Site #6 Culvert 19.7

• Site #7 Baywood 49.6

• Site #8 Lake James Dr 44.3

• Site #9 Ledgewood 11

• Site #10 Silverwood 14.6

2020 Geese Update

Recommendation of hiring Goosebusters to help manage the geese levels in 2021. LJPOA requested feedback from our homeowners as to hiring Goosebusters through an email sent to our community. A 70% approval of the population of the lake is required or approval from the Denton Township Board, as is a permit ($200) from the DNR. Currently, because of coronavirus the DNR is approving limited relocation permits. This is NOT permanent removal, as a percentage of geese will return but it will reduce the numbers during the summer months.

Rocky was able to get approval from the Denton Township Board on October 7th, 2020. The decision was published in the Houghton Lake Resorter’s Oct 15th edition. Rocky has applied for the DNR Permit in March of 2021 and is awaiting approval to proceed. Permits issued by the DNR, enabled by the State of Michigan and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are required for translocation activities.

July 26th, 2017 Update

This past year has brought a great change at Lake James. We have three new board members, one of which is our new President, a new Dam outlet and a new committee of nine residents and three board members to address the erosion problem at 12 locations around the lake.

Because of warmer water temperature in June, Savin Lake Services was able to get a jump start on weed control. As like last year Savin will be spraying twelve extra acres for Milfoil and Starry stonewort. Lily pads and algae will be treated free of charge in the fall. The second lake treatment will take place later in July well after the Holiday. Remember to read the postings for any water restrictions and the type of herbicides used.

Lake waters will also be tested at three different locations for E. coli and other toxins. The testing of Well Water, though not mandatory, is up to each individual homeowner.

It has been suggested that the LJPOA omit weed control for one year to save money, increase the quality of the lake and the quality of fish...Not being an expert on fish, I can positively relate that by omitting just one year of aquatic weed treatment, the weed program would be set back at least five years... This actually happened at Lake James during the 1980's. Remember…"Aquatic weeds cannot be totally eliminated, a healthy lake requires a certain amount of aquatic plant life."

March 14th, 2017 Update

2016 Lake James Water Quality Report(PDF)

June 22nd 2016 Update

Lake James Board members and all residents:

On Thursday June 16th., 2016, Savin Lake Services treated Lake James for aquatic weed growth. One of the herbicides used was Hydrothol 191. This herbicide, along with six other herbicides are commonly used to combat various aquatic weed growth. Hydrothol 191, when used, will scatter fish momentary until it adheres to the aquatic weeds at the bottom of the lake. The fish that do not scatter are usually small or fish near the shore areas. Occasionally these fish may be stunned or fatally effected.

On June 21st., I consulted with Mr. Guy Savin, President and owner of Savin Lake Services re: the above mentioned issue.

Savin explained to me the effects of Hydrothol and assured me that our lake water remains safe and that there is no cause for alarm. The 24 hour "no swimming/bathing ban" is a precaution.

Just a note: Compared to restrictions on household chemicals that we use, i.e.: (Raid, Roundup, Ant Control), the aquatic herbicides used in lake james are less restrictive.....Read the labels..

Given this information, lets enjoy the lake waters and the up coming Holiday.

For those of you who called, thanks for the input and concern.

Thank you

Rocky

ljpoa

May 26th 2016 Update

Rocky reported that he talked to Savin about lake treatment for this summer season. Savin mentioned he will hit Shadow Lake pretty heavy for milfoil, starry wort and algae this year, in the later part of June. He was asked not to do any spraying near the 4th of July. We received their invoice and we will get a check to them. Rocky cancelled pellet treatment for this year, because he saw no improvement. Rocky is going out with Savin on their boat to check the areas where the lake water will be tested. John Hines of the Houghton Lake Sewer authority, asked to add testing at the input and output of our lake. Rocky reported he attended the Denton Twp meeting to present the sewer feasibility study. They expressed interest in possibly paying for half the cost, and asked us to talk with Williams and Works.

Email from Guy Savin regarding the sewer system for Lake James

Good Morning Rocky,

Per our phone conversation – I wanted to put some thoughts in writing in regards to a sewer system around Lake James.

Savin Lake Services strongly recommends pursuit of a sewer system around Lake James. Any good watershed management plan will incorporate sewer systems into the plan. A sewer system around Lake James will reduce nutrient loading into Lake James. I am sure that there are many septic drainage fields that are currently leaching effluent into Lake James due to the age and construction of drain fields installed many years ago. A sewer system is only one component of watershed management, however, anything that can be done to reduce nutrient loading into a waterbody is a step in the right direction. A sewer system will not be the answer to all of the Lake James watershed nutrient loading issues – however, it is a good step in the right direction.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks, and have a great day.

____________________

Guy Savin - President

Savin Lake Services Inc.

3088 Hottis Road

Hale, Michigan 48739

Hale Office: 989-728-2200

Clare Office: 989-386-0600

Toll Free: 877-SAV-LAKE

Fax: 989-516-5900

Email: GuySavin@LakeAndPond.com

Swimmer's Itch Facts (PDF)

John Hines, Supervisor of the Houghton Lake Sewer Authority and Brandon Mieras, PE of Williams and Works were invited by Rocky Daversa to address the board about a feasibility study for the installation of a sewer system in Lake James. When Rocky had spoken with John Hines last month, John had located paperwork about this process being done years ago by Brandon Mieras’ company in 1972. He explained he would update the current proposal. He will prepare a cost to do this to us, so Rocky can present this to the township as a first step. Protecting our lake is our priority, and the LJPOA board wants to be proactive in understanding this and explaining this process to our homeowners. Both Brandon Mieras and John Hines are invited to attend our annual homeowners meeting in August. Rocky will present this info to the Township at the monthly meeting. At last month’s meeting he was complimented at the presentation he made to the township. Rocky brought up the second application of the lake water treatment for milfoil and starry wort and asked the board for input. A motion was made by Jim Fauser and seconded by Don Adams to complete the second treatment. It was also agreed that the water will again be tested this year by Savin. The Houghton Lake Sewer Authority requested that it also be tested at the input and output of the lake.

Download the 2014 Water Quality (PDF) prepared by Savin Lake Services

In the past, I have used a lake rake to start the lake clean up. The lake rake does a decent job removing some of the leaves, but the leave break up and much of the residue stays on the bottom. Last year I purchasing a swimming pool leaf skimmer (at WalMart or any pool store). The pool skimmer when attached to a long handle allows you to drag the skimmer across the bottom of the beach area and removes the majority of the leaves. It also eliminates most of the smaller broken leaves. It is much faster and far more effective than a lake rake.

Two years ago, I started researching the internet on muck and how to get rid of it. Muck is nothing more that the residue from decomposing materials that did not finish the process of decomposition. This is generally caused by the lake not having adequate oxygen levels to complete the process. The first way suggested to eliminate muck was to install a “bubbling diffuser”. This is a piece of equipment that requires putting a diffuser under the water, running air lines to it and then having an air pump installed on shore. This is rather expensive ($1,000 to $2,000) to install, plus you have the cost of electricity.

Then I found a company out from Minnesota that sells a product called AquaClear. This product contains millions of micro organisms in each pellet that actively feed on the decomposing materials on the bottom of the lake. I did as much research on the product to determine if it was safe. Because there are no chemicals, it does not have a negative impact on people, fish or the water. I decided to take a chance and bought a 5 pound container to try on my beachfront. I can say that after one season, I noticed a distinct improvement on the amount of muck. I was able to walk out farther than the previous season before getting into the muck. Last year, I convinced my neighbors to buy some AquaClear and we all added it. I am hoping that with the upcoming season we add it again and start seeing a better lake bottom. While it’s not a miracle worker that immediately frees the lake from muck, it provided measurable positive results in my bay.

Anyone interested in looking into AquaClear, the web site is: www.killLakeWeeds.com