Lake Manager Reports

Randy Stowe, lakemanager@gmail.com

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.

Lake Manager’s Report – April 2022

1. As this is the time of year when piers and lifts are going in the lake, it’s important to remember the rules and regulations:

REGULATIONS FOR DOCKS, LIFTS, SWIM PLATFORMS, RAILWAYS OR ANY OTHER FORM OF IN-WATER EQUIPMENT

1. In-water equipment including all of the above shall not project more than 40 feet into the lake from the nearest shoreline

2. Docks shall be no greater than 10 feet wide.

Lake Manager’s Report – March 2022

1. So far this late winter, Wonder Lake ice (or the lack of enough of it) has bagged a snowmobile, an ATV, and an iceboat. In addition, the SUV of an ice fisherman was also spotted parked on the ice, which apparently resulted in a variety of comments on the Wonder Lake Neighbors Facebook page, as well as a photograph of the offending vehicle with its license plate prominently displayed. As a result, the offender was issued a $250 citation by the Wonder Lake Police Department.

Lake Manager’s Report – February 2022

1. The Illinois Lake Management Association (ILMA) and Illinois Chapter of the American Fisheries Society (AFS) are hosting a joint Annual Conference at the I Hotel & Conference Center in Champaign, Illinois from March 16th through March 19th, 2022. Info at ILMA-Lakes.org

2. Permit applications for the Merchant Creek footbridge have been submitted. This timeframe should hopefully allow construction by next spring / early summer.