News from MPOA President Brad Dennison,
It’s that time of year when we need to raise money for the fireworks! Please send your donations to Wonder Lake Fireworks Fund, 5104 W Lake Shore Dr., Wonder Lake, IL 60097. We still need volunteers take to the streets to collect for the fireworks. If you’d like to join in the collecting fun and help on the east or west side, sign up here!
East Side Volunteers: volunteersignup.org/XR3KC
West Side Volunteers: volunteersignup.org/P88QE
Lake Manager’s Report – May 14th, 2025
1. The MPOA committee working on developing a market for the dried sediment generated by the dredging project has a potential lead. Discussions are on-going with a local landowner who has expressed in obtaining 250 cubic yards of sediment. There are also some garden centers that are interested in obtaining small quantities for evaluation of the sediment as a potential marketable item at their locations. Test gardens using the dried sediment will again be established at the Village Garden Plot.
News from MPOA President Brad Dennison
1. As this is the time of year when piers and lifts are starting to be installed in the lake, it’s important to remember the MPOA rules and regulations:
REGULATIONS FOR DOCKS, LIFTS, SWIM PLATFORMS, RAILWAYS OR ANY OTHER FORM OF IN-WATER EQUIPMENT
Decal notices are being emailed now - note this year we’ve added the option to pay by credit card online. There is a small fee that we are passing through to those who choose to pay by card online but the convenience will be great for us. Please check your estimates to make sure your information is correct and up to date. We need a copy of your new state registration on file if it expired. We also need your signature on the first page of the waiver document, the link is in the decal email you’ll receive.
1. Permits from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources allowing the Wonder Lake Sportsman’s Club to continue their efforts to discourage Double-Crested Cormorants from nesting on Wonder Lake Islands have been renewed. Left unchecked, the “droppings” from nesting / roosting Cormorants can accumulate to the point of killing off underlying vegetation as well as the tree itself.
Third time was a charm! Congratulations to all Ice Fishing Derby Winners! This year’s derby went off without a hitch, once the date was changed to February 16th to accomodate the great weather and thick ice! The lake was a mass of beautiful fishing tents and lots of fishing men and women, all headed for the prize.
Welcome to 2025! We kicked off the new year with our January 8th Board Meeting. We’re going to be very focused this year on organically building the preservation fund to protect our lake. Watch for more to come. Thank you to Dick Hilton who shared our insurance coverage and costs with the board - helping us to better understand the plan we have and the costs associated with our coverage. It was noted that many companies are no longer covering dams across the country, and the cost of insurance has been rising.
1. 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://www.ilma-lakes.org/conference-registration