Lake Manager Reports

Randy Stowe, lakemanager@gmail.com

Lake Manager’s Report – May 2023

1. The MPOA continues to explore options for marketing the dried sediment resulting from the dredging project. The MPOA is currently in contact with soil scientists to determine how best to gather and analyze samples of the sediment for potential use in future marketing efforts.

2. The Wonder Lake Fire Department led a controlled burn of the SDF to control vegetative growth on the sediment.

Lake Manager’s Report – April 2023

1. For the past few years, the MPOA has worked with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, U.S Department of Agriculture, and US Fish & Wildlife Service to conduct “legal” harassment of Cormorant’s, as well as to allow an annual “lethal harvest” of up to ten (10) Cormorants, particularly at those island locations where they congregate to roost. The establishment of roosts result in large amounts of “droppings”, that can over time kill off desirable species of trees and vegetation, such as the Oak trees on Strom Island, where native plant restoration work has been impacted.

Lake Manager’s Report – February 2023

1. The surface of Wonder Lake has been known to occasionally produce a phenomenon known as “ice”. If you happen to come across any, please use caution.

Lake Manager’s Report – January 2023

1. Lake users are reminded that with the deeper water now present in the dredged portions of the lake, and the recent variations in temperature, ice formation on the lake this winter may be variable. Please use caution when on the lake unless you are positive of safe ice conditions.

Lake Manager’s Report – December 2022

1. With our on-again off-again winter, it’s uncertain when the Lake will develop "safe" ice. As such, this is a good time to remind winter lake users (and particularly children) about the need to exercise particular care and caution when venturing out on the ice when it does form. On the following page is some information on General Ice Thickness Guidelines. The MPOA website (wlmpoa.org) also has a video posted on how someone falling through the ice can perform a "self-rescue". https://youtu.be/QKpAzvXSldA

Lake Manager’s Report – November 2022

1. The annual inspection of the Wonder Lake Dam and Sediment Drying Facility required by the State of Illinois was conducted on Friday, October 14th, 2022. Both the State and MPOA engineers were pleased with the repairs to the Wonder Lake Dam spillway that have been implemented since last year’s inspection, as well as the maintenance of the SDF.

Lake Manager’s Report – October 2022

1. The annual inspection of the Wonder Lake Dam and Sediment Drying Facility required by the State of Illinois is scheduled for Friday, October 14th, 2022.

2. As always, with autumn approaching, Wonder Lake landowners with lakefront or streamfront properties are strongly encouraged to NOT rake their leaves into the water, as this can create a significant nutrient load, fueling future algae blooms. Please consider composting raked leaves or utilizing available landscape waste disposal services.

Lake Manager’s Report – September 2022

1. The MPOA contractor has completed the concrete repairs to the vertical wingwalls of the Wonder Lake dam spillway. These repairs to fix deteriorating (spalling) concrete surfaces were required based on an inspection by the MPOA structural engineer. This repair work required the installation of temporary work platforms below the spillway to allow access for repairs, which have since been removed.

2. Based on the structural engineer’s report, additional repairs to the concrete cap on the eastern wingwall are still needed and will be pursued in 2023.

Lake Manager’s Report – August 2022

1. The MPOA has received the report from the MPOA structural engineer detailing their recommendations on the location and extent of needed surface concrete repairs on the vertical sidewalls of the dam spillway. Interestingly, while most of the wingwall surface on the east side of the spillway has significantly deteriorated and needs extensive repair, the west wingwall surface only needs some spot repairs.

Lake Manager’s Report – July 2022

1. We are still waiting for the MPOA structural engineer to produce their report and recommendations on the location and extent of needed concrete repairs on the vertical sidewalls.

2. We are still waiting for the Village of Wonder Lake permit for the Merchant Creek footbridge.

3. Preliminary discussions continue with a soil vendor who has expressed an interest in buying the dried sediment from the lake dredging project.

4. A request for proposal to conduct our annual state required inspections of the dam and Sediment Drying Facility this fall has been sent out.

Lake Manager’s Report – June 2022

1. As part of the on-going repairs to the Wonder Lake Dam spillway, the MPOA structural engineer conducted an examination to determine the location and extent of needed concrete repairs on the vertical sidewalls. Temporary scaffolding was installed to allow for this inspection, as well as to facilitate the actual repair work. Coordination is now taking place between the concrete contractor and the project structural engineer on the type of concrete material to be used for the spillway wingwall patching.

Lake Manager’s Report – May 2022

1. Based on the detailed inspection report conducted by the MPOA consulting engineers last fall, repairs have begun on the Wonder Lake spillway and the wingwalls on either side of the spillway. Concrete patching on the interior of the spillway has been completed, and eyebolts have been installed to allow a safety cable to be installed along the interior walkway. Coordination is now taking place between the concrete contractor and the project structural engineer on the extent of spillway wingwall patching required.