1. The invoice for the USGS Stream Gage on Nippersink Creek at Thompson Road has been received by the MPOA. The $11,140 amount covers the annual fee for the USGS to maintain the stream gage. This gage provides critical information on-line, helping the MPOA make informed lake management decisions on when no-wake or lake closed conditions exist. Thanks to the efforts of County Boad member Louisett Ness, the amount of County Cost-share towards the $11,140 amount has increased this year from $5,000 last year to $7,500 this year.
2. The annual engineering inspection of the Wonder Lake Dam and Sediment Drying Facility was conducted on Friday, October 18th. This inspection was attended by MPOA officers, the MPOA engineers, and the engineers from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources – Office of Water Resources. The inspection report indicated that the dam and spillway were being properly maintained. The only exception noted was the condition of the bent west sluice gate shaft that prevents the sluice gate from operating. As per normal procedure, a copy of the final inspection report is sent to IDNR-OWR, and at their request, the MPOA liability insurance carrier. A copy of the dam inspection report will be posted on the MPOA website.
3. The Wonder Lake Fire Department is still hoping to conduct a controlled burn at the Wonder Lake Sediment Drying Facility in order to reduce weedy growth. This activity provides valuable training experience for firefighters on managing wildfires. Now that most adjacent crops have been harvested, it will just be a matter of waiting for dry conditions.
4. Efforts to develop a marketing strategy for the dredged sediment continue to see if there is local demand for the material. As indicated earlier, the results from the garden test beds implemented this summer show the Wonder Lake sediment has very good fertility.
5. The Illinois Lake Management Association 40th annual conference will be held March 17 –19th, 2025, at the Hilton Northbrook/Chicago. Registration information can be found at: https://ilma-lakes.org/conference-regisration-2025