*See the New Wake and Surf Boat Requested Boat Path Below
Aquatic Weed Treatment Completed - Thank You!
On that gorgeous, hot, sunny, no wind day of Monday, June 29, members stayed off the lake for 24 hours while 2,4d granules were applied over the top of GPS targeted Eurasian Milfoil (EU) weed beds. Further, members remained off the lake to allow time for the granules to drop to the weed roots and dissolve properly without any wave disruption.
The support received by the community in staying off the lake was visibly noticed not only by the applicators, Savin Lake Services, but members who could only watch our flat and very inviting lake on one very gorgeous day.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Amazing!
Savin Lake Services treated just under 20 acres of aquatic invasive EU weed beds on our 400 acre lake.
As reported by our experts, some of our EU weed beds have “hybridized” from 2,4d treatments. In other words, they have diminished in size but refuse to die.
PILOT PROGRAM
As a result of hybridized EU that refuses to die after 2,4d treatment, our experts recommended we do a pilot program on one small hybridized EU bed near the marina. They recommended we apply a newer, very low impact product called ProcellaCOR. We will carefully watch the pilot area and review its success. The cost for ProcellaCOR is much more than 2,4d, but the area treated was small. Read more about ProcellaCOR HERE.
GOOD NEWS
We have seen native pond weed start to return in the boat lane where EU previously blocked sunlight for their growth. This is what we want to see on a healthy lake.
The recent GPS invasive weed scans prove the existing EU weed beds have reduced in size since last summer, after 2,4d treatment which is good news, but we want to eradicate these invasive weeds along the boat lane.
GOALS
Our goal is that invasive EU (and any other invasive species) cease to exist on the lake and allow healthy pond weed and other natural habitat to thrive. You may remember the effects of zebra mussels from a few years ago. They cut your feet, attached to everything, ate algae and eventually died from lack of food source.
Map shows boat lane Eurasian milfoil that was treated (highlighted in green) on June 29, 2019
CLEAN BOATS CLEAN LAKES INITIATIVE
With the new state law and initiative called “Clean Boats Clean Lakes”, we hope to NEVER introduce any more invasive species in the lake. With community support we can do this. We will be posting signs at each boat launch as a reminder.
Article from MI Waterfront Alliance eNewsletter, June 29, 2020
“Millions of dollars are spent each year in Michigan to control the impacts of aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussels, sea lamprey and Eurasian watermilfoil,” said Kevin Walters, aquatic biologist at EGLE. “It only takes a few minutes to do a walk-around of your watercraft and trailer and drain water to make sure everything is clear of material that doesn’t belong.”
Short “How To” Video – HERE
Across the state we want to remind watercraft owners they should follow best practices and clean their boats, trailers and equipment to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
The most important message this year is for boaters to “Clean, Drain and Dry” boats, trailers and all equipment and gear after each use on any lake, river or stream to prevent spreading invasive plants and other aquatic invasive species from one water body to another. State law requires:
Make sure watercraft and trailers are free of all aquatic organisms and plants before transporting or launching.
Removing drain plugs and draining all water from bilges, ballast tanks and live wells before moving watercraft.
Avoiding releasing unused bait into the water.
Releasing fish only into the same water body where they were caught to avoid the spread of invasive species and fish diseases.
CHECK OUT THIS COOL DRONE VIDEO OF PINE LAKE created by Sponsor Gwen Schultz
FIREWORKS DATE - SEPTEMBER 6, 2020
The Pine Lake Country Club changed the fireworks date to September 6 due to the COVID19 state mandate of social distancing.
WEST BLOOMFIELD FIREWORKS ORDINANCE
Fireworks may only be discharged June 29 through July 5, 11:00 AM to 11:45 PM by a sober 18 year old (or older).
If you shoot fireworks on your property or shoreline, remove all fireworks debris from the lake and ground the next morning, as it leaches toxins into the lake. Remember: All things on the ground make their way to the lake after rain or snow melt.
Per WB township code - violation of rules is a $500 Fine.
“The PLPOA mission is to ensure safety, informed stewardship & promote good water quality for our most valuable resource.”
WAKE AND SURF BOATING
The latest water sport that is exploding on many lakes is wake surfing. This great is sport requires a wake boat that has a water filled ballast capacity of up to 5,000 pounds and as such, when the boat accelerates it makes huge waves for a person to surf, w/out a pull rope. The wake boat only travels about 8 -10 mph. The result is two huge waves to ride, up close and right behind the boat. Because the wave that the surfer rides is within about five feet from the boat, the surfer can chat with the passengers and listen to music. What an awesome experience for everyone! Not only is this sport fun but we are seeing more and more wake boats appearing on many lakes. This has caused some lake boards and scientists to scratch their heads…
HOW COULD SOMETHING SO MUCH FUN BE A PROBLEM?
Many of you have experienced the huge waves created by surf boats. Some of you have emailed to complain about the large waves causing damage to your boat, lift and sea wall. Further, we are now reading publications telling us about the surf boat damage to the bottom of the lake in shallow areas. What we are learning is shallow water wake surfing boats dredge and stir up sediments. This causes……. The end result is damage to…..
Our experts warn about lake damage and made two recommendations for Pine Lake. Pine Lake is not alone in this. Other small lakes have similar problems.
Recommendations from the Experts:
1. Stay 200 feet from the shoreline, in deeper water.
2. Establish a deep water wake surf route that will protect lake bottom, shorelines and other aquatic equipment.
We ask for your cooperation. For those who like to float , you will need to move a little further north, toward that shoreline.
INTRODUCING - New Wake and Surf Boat Boat Path for ballast filled boats while in tow. Established July 5, 2020 to preserve and protect shallow lake bottom , docked boats, lifts and sea walls.
