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SHERWOOD LAKE ASSOCIATION
LAKE MEETING
OCTOBER 15, 2009
REPORT
I. PURPOSE OF
MEETING
The
purpose of the meeting was to update all residents on the condition of
our lake, what is being done to maintain it and future plans. Also, to
seek input on new ways to make the lake better, more useable by
residents and to enhance our property values.
II. CONDITION OF THE
LAKE
1. The
water clarity, oxygen levels and overall quality appear to be good.
2.
Fecal coliform levels have been tested twice, once in May and again in
Sep. The May results were excellent whereas the Sep. tests were
disappointedly higher. Another round of tests is planned for early Oct.
3.
Although water levels drop by as much as one foot during droughts the
lake receives enough water from the bayou behind Holly Ridge Townhouses
to maintain a large fish population and boating activities.
4. The
dam is in good condition but the outfall area below the dam needs to be
rebuilt again. The City will do this after the sewer upgrade in the
area is complete.
III. LAKE MAINTENANCE
ACTIVITIES
1. Weed
spraying as needed has kept the water lettuce and other weeds at bay and
kept our expenditures in check.
2. A
new 1hp fountain was installed in Sep in the center of the lake. The
fountains add oxygen to the water which helps keep the fish population
healthy and growing and helps to reduce the formation of fecal coliform.
The fountains also add a pleasing esthetic value to our subdivision.
The old 1/2hp fountain will be refurbished and installed by year-end in
the vicinity of lots 27/28 making it visible from the picnic table
bridge. That will give us 5 fountains.
3. A
Spring Lake Cleaning day was very successful with 15 residents and 6
boats. A lot of large limbs and other debris were removed from the
lake.
4. A
floating debris boom was installed at our property line between LSA and
Holly Ridge Townhouses in Aug. The purpose was to try and stop weeds
and trash from floating into the lake from that waterway. It has not
performed up to our expectations. We are looking at other uses for this
boom.
5.
During the past two years we have had a successful program to reduce our
muscovy duck population. This program is on-going.
6. Also
during the past two years several residents have either rebuilt their
bulkheads or installed a bulkhead where none existed. This has helped
keep dirt and silt from filling in our lake.
7.
Signs have been installed at the picnic table bridge and at the boat
launch ramp notifying would-be trespassers that the lake is private and
for residents only. Also bulkhead signs have been installed where the
electric cables go out to the fountains notifying boaters to stay back
at least 30 feet to avoid cutting the cables.
IV. LAKE USABILITY1.
Three years ago a boat launch ramp and pier were installed at the
clubhouse so off-lake residents could launch a boat and get into the
lake.
2. The
Spring Lake Clean-up removed a lot of limbs and branches that made
navigating some areas of the lake in a boat hazardous.
3. The
fingers near the Retirement Village have been cleaned and are now open.
V.
FUTURE PLANS
1. In
the Spring of 2010 we will conduct another lake clean-up day.
2. At
least three water tests will be scheduled each year.
3. The
fish will be tested in June 2010 by the LA Wildlife and Fisheries
Department and we will do a population count.
4.
During the next two to eight years we plan to build bulkheads by the
picnic table, the boat launch ramp and along the “Z” property.
5. We
plan to install marked fish structures in various areas of the lake in
2010.
VI. RESIDENT
INPUT AND IDEAS
- As a result of
resident input at the meeting we plan to build the bulkhead at the
picnic table area first.
- Some other
suggestions submitted were:
- Put on a
fireworks display over the lake.
- Encourage more
lake lot owners to install Christmas lighting during the
Holidays along their bulkheads.
- Install a
small fountain at the front of the finger near Lot #12.
- Install
another small fountain in the area of the boat launch ramp.
- Properly
anchor the conduit hanging down from the bridge at the Clubhouse
so it looks better and doesn’t interfere with going under the
bridge.
- Install
another boat launch ramp so it wouldn’t be necessary to go under
the bridge at the Clubhouse.
- Install
colored lights on the fountains at Christmas.
- Have a
children’s fishing derby.
- Have a boat
regatta or Mardi Gras boat parade.
All of these ideas will
be considered. If anyone has other ideas on how to make our lake
better, particularly more useful to off-lake lot owners please send them
to me at: rhevey@bellsouth.net. |
