1. The annual inspection of the Wonder Lake Dam required by the State was conducted on October 3rd. The resulting report that was submitted to the state is in the process of being posted on the MPOA website, which can be accessed at: https://wlmpoa.org/wonder-lake-annual-dam-inspection-report

2. The project to repair the bent shaft attached to the west sluice gate of the Wonder Lake spillway has gotten underway. The shaft is connected to the top of the sluice gate allowing it to be raised and lowered. Being bent, this prevents the gate from being opened, and more importantly, closed.  Fortunately, that gate remains in a fully closed condition. On November 4th, the dive team from the MPOA marine contractor conducted a video inspection of the existing conditions and identified the cause of the shaft being bent. They are currently developing a plan to remove the slumped concrete and seawall causing the problem, which will allow the bent shaft to be removed, re-straightened, and replaced. 

3. The Nippersink Creek USGS stream gage at Thompson Road upstream of Wonder Lake recorded roughly 2.1 inches of rain over the past month. The gage also showed the corresponding “spikes” in streamflow from the rainfall events, as shown in the second chart. Nippersink streamflow into the lake today is at roughly 10.3 cubic feet per second (cfs), which is still below the 30-year average of 30 cfs for this date. 

4. Every year, the MPOA obtains the required regulatory permits that allow the Wonder Lake Sportsman’s Club to harass Double-Crested Cormorants, and selectively harvest 25, out of a WL population likely in the hundreds. The intent is to discourage the birds from nesting in the trees found on the larger Wonder Lake Islands, where the accumulated excrement can accumulate to the point where it can kill the trees and underlying vegetation. Over the last few years, the Nippersink Watershed Association has secured grant funds to allow the purchase and planting of soil stabilizing and pollinator beneficial native grasses and forbs on the islands, which are threatened by an excess of droppings. 

5. Registration for the 2026 Illinois Lake Management Conference is now open. ILMA 2026 Conference FEBRUARY 16-18, 2026 iHotel, 1900 S 1st St, Champaign, IL 61820 https://ilma-lakes.org/conference-registration