1. The MPOA continues to explore options for marketing the dried sediment resulting from the dredging project. The MPOA is currently in contact with soil scientists to determine how best to gather and analyze samples of the sediment for potential use in future marketing efforts.
2. The Wonder Lake Fire Department led a controlled burn of the SDF to control vegetative growth on the sediment.
NEW FLAG POLE FOR YACHT CLUB ISLAND!
Mr. Tom Cooper has procured a 50-foot tall, aluminum flag pole. Now the necessary hardware, halyard, pulleys, rope, weights and lighting need to be obtained and installed onto the pole. Wonder Lake Fire Chief, Mike Weber has assured us that he will have the necessary volunteers to help transport the pole to Yacht Club Island and assist in removing the old flag pole and install the new. The goal is to have the pole in place in time for this year’s Independence Day events... To Read more, please download the Newsletter (pdf)
1. For the past few years, the MPOA has worked with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, U.S Department of Agriculture, and US Fish & Wildlife Service to conduct “legal” harassment of Cormorant’s, as well as to allow an annual “lethal harvest” of up to ten (10) Cormorants, particularly at those island locations where they congregate to roost. The establishment of roosts result in large amounts of “droppings”, that can over time kill off desirable species of trees and vegetation, such as the Oak trees on Strom Island, where native plant restoration work has been impacted.
EXCITING NEWS!
Starting April 1st, we introduced a new, eco-friendly way to keep our lake clean! We released a school of robotic fish programmed to clean the lake on a regular basis. These robotic fish will have special sensors that will detect and remove any waste or pollutants in the lake, ensuring that our lake is always clean and healthy for swimming, fishing, and watersports. These robotic fish will be powered by solar energy, making them completely environmentally friendly. To Read more, please download the Newsletter (pdf)
1. The surface of Wonder Lake has been known to occasionally produce a phenomenon known as “ice”. If you happen to come across any, please use caution.
FISHING DERBY POSTPONED
Due to unsafe ice conditions, the Sportsman Club has postponed the Ice Fishing Derby to the 19th of February. If the weather does not cooperate in thickening the ice, then the plan is to have the raffle at Alibi's. To Read more, please download the Newsletter (pdf)
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.
RESIDENT’S LETTER In an effort to create an improved communications link with the Wonder Lake Area, the MPOA Officers and Board of Directors are initiating a newsletter that hopefully will continue on a monthly basis. The purpose is to bring the community up to date on lake and watershed issues that have an impact on our lake and the role of the MPOA in addressing matters specific to our lake and dam. To Read more, please download the Newsletter (pdf)
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