1. After the lake iced-up in December, a question arose as to the possible presence of dredging pipeline still extending across the main body of the lake. Further investigation determined that while the vast majority of the dredge pipeline had been removed from the lake, or was moved to the northwest area of West Bay, a section of pipeline at the summer 2016 pipeline crossing was still in place. This crossing location is still marked by “no-wake” buoys, and all sections of this pipeline segment are fully submerged below the ice / lake level. An updated exhibit is attached.

2. The dredging booster pump that was being used last summer at W. Wonder Lake Road has been temporarily re-located for the winter to the dredging staging area at Wonder Marine.

3. Winter lake users are again reminded of the presence of the rip-rap “collars” around Wickline Island and O’Brien Shoals, and that snowmobiles / ATV’s are not allowed on the Wonder Lake Dam embankment.

4. The Wonder Lake Sportsman’s Club is organizing an invasive brush-clearing project of Yacht Club Island, similar to what was accomplished on Strom Island over last winter. This work will help to set the stage for the up-coming island rip-rap project being funded in part by the Illinois EPA Section 319 grant. Volunteers will (as always) be welcome. The first project day will be this coming Saturday, January 14, 2017. Meet at White Oaks Bay at 9:00 am with lunch served at 12:00. The weather forecast calls for partly cloudy, a high of 30 degrees and light winds, so excuses for not helping out will not be accepted.

5. The 32nd Annual Illinois Lakes Management Association Conference, March 30 to April 1, 2017, to be held at the Crystal Lake Holiday Inn in Crystal Lake, IL is fast approaching. Given the proximity, this would be a great opportunity for WL folks to learn more about a wide variety of lake topics. For more details: http://www.ilma-lakes.org/conference

6. Those of you who have attended ILMA conferences in the past know there is a silent auction or bucket raffle each year, which always turns out to be a lot of fun. As always, donations for bucket raffle prizes are always welcome. 100% of the funds generated from the raffle go directly to support ILMA’s scholarships, which benefit our next generation of environmental leaders. If you have something to donate, feel free to drop it off at the MPOA office.