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. 

1. As always, with autumn approaching, Wonder Lake landowners with lakefront or stream front properties are strongly encouraged to NOT rake their leaves into the water. Raking or blowing leaves into the lake can result in an abundance of decomposing leaves, raising nutrient levels. This, in turn, can trigger unwanted algae blooms and foster increased aquatic weed growth near your property. In addition, as algae and weeds proliferate and eventually die off, they cause bacteria that consume oxygen in the water, which can kill fish and other aquatic life.

1. A request for proposal to conduct our annual state required inspections of the Dam and Sediment Drying Facility this fall has been received from the MPOA engineers. The dam inspection has been scheduled for October 18th at 11 am. 

2. Efforts to develop a sales market for the dredged sediment continue. The raised garden beds established by the MPOA seem to show that the dredged sediment is very beneficial for plant growth, when compared to different commercially available products. 

1. A request for proposal to conduct our annual state required inspections of the dam and Sediment Drying Facility this fall has been sent to the MPOA engineers. 

2. An engineering plan for renovating the protection of the control shafts operating the sluice gates at the Wonder Lake spillway has been received. The next step is to receive a proposal from the MPOA marine contractor to first remove the existing failed protection, and to then install the new shaft protection. 

3. Aging Midwest dams in the news: 

1. The MPOA dredged sediment marketing investigations continue. The soil testing lab results have been forwarded to a soil scientist who will hopefully be able to provide insight as to the best potential use of the accumulated sediment, or whether there may be soil amendments that could be added that would result in a higher quality product, with a higher price point in the marketplace.