1. The “Preliminary Dredging Sequence and Timeline” is being posted / updated on the MPOA website as we get new info. This sequence and timeline will likely shift as dredging continues, based on equipment issues, temperatures, flood events, and other unforeseen circumstances. Those already on the MPOA e-mail mailing list will be notified when updates are posted to the MPOA website. If you are not on the mailing list, contact Lance at the MPOA office at: office@wlmpoa.org.

2. The dredging contractor is currently finishing up portions of West Bay before moving up to White Oaks Bay next week. They are focusing on doing portions of the Nippersink Creek inlet to improve lake access for those landowners. This is also where the amount of rock and gravel being dredged is hardest on certain parts of the dredge pump equipment. As they have those replacement parts ready to install, they want to get as much use out of those parts to be replaced as possible. They are planning to replace those parts early next week before moving up to WOB, which they still hope to have completed by the 4th of July.

3. Under this plan, any remaining unfinished areas of West Bay / Nippersink Creek inlet will be completed later in the summer.

4. The dredging contractor plans to temporarily move the dredge and pipeline back into West Bay for the 4th of July to facilitate holiday boating.

5. With the upcoming 4th of July holiday, if you have not yet purchased your MPOA boat decals, please try to do so before the inevitable crowd forms on July 3rd.

6. As a follow-up to April 1st maintenance inspection of the SDF, some grading work was done in May on the interior slopes of the SDF to address some minor erosion issues, and to ensure compliance with our regulatory permits.

7. On January 1, 2015, a new boating regulation was established. Senate Bill 2731 mandates that the operator of any watercraft that is towing a person, such as a water skier or tuber, must display a bright orange flag measuring not less than 12 inches per side. The flag must be displayed from the time the person to be towed leaves the boat until that person returns to the boat at the conclusion of the activity. Under the law, flying the flag for purposes other than towing is prohibited, so be sure to only display the flag when towing. The MPOA office will have a limited number of these flags available for sale at $10 each.

8. As previously discussed, the dredging contractor is being paid on the basis of the “volume” of sediment dredged; not on any kind of hourly or daily rate. As such, it is up to the dredge contractor (not the MPOA) to determine the most productive means / route of dredging.

9. The volume of sediment dredged is being tracked by GPS, and will be re-verified by a land surveyor to help ensure that all areas targeted for dredging are completed. An example of the GPS tracking showing all of the West Bay areas that had been dredged through May 19th, 2015 is shown below.

10. While it is impossible to specify an exact date and time when the dredging will be done at a particular location on the lake, the MPOA is working closely with the dredging contractor to try to minimize inconvenience to shoreline landowners and lake users to the extent possible. Lakefront landowners whose access to the lake may be temporarily blocked by the dredge / pipeline may wish to temporarily find other boat mooring locations beyond the immediate dredging work area.

11. No matter how the contractor proposes to schedule the work, there will be those who feel they are being unduly inconvenienced. All we can do is ask for folks to look at the big picture (a clearer, deeper lake), and be patient.