Letters to the Editor

To Powers Lake Yacht Club Members

      As most of you are aware, our lake is at severely low levels, especially for this time of year. The drought remains a serious issue for our community.

      As members of the lake community we should be aware and do our part to help conserve water during this drought.

      It cannot be stressed enough that the water situation is a crisis and everyone needs to do their part to limit overall water usage to preserve the well levels in our homes and community.

      Please consider refraining from any watering from the lake, until we get some rain.

      I am also forwarding a link to the District of Powers Lake Web site. This site is a great resource for Powers Lake and contains important information about the effect the drought is having on our lake, and the boating hazards it presents. http://www.districtofpowerslake.org/

      The area is also under a No Burn Ordinance. This means no bonfires and no fireworks. Not only are lawns and shrubs at risk of combustion due to the lack of moisture, emergency response teams are dealing with a shortage of water as well.

      Powers Lake has designated areas for pumping water directly from the lake for our local fire responders if needed.

      Recently, in Paddock Lake, a tractor broke down and started the field on fire. As a result 150 acres burned with 13 fire departments responding to contain the fire from spreading.

      If you travel on Highway 50 you will notice the field on the north side just east of town, the fire burned up to asphalt driveways before stopping.

      I am doing everything in my power as Commodore to bring rain to the area. If all else fails, Country Thunder is here and we all know that the concert brings a muddy mess.

      Seriously, let’s do our part and help the community during this crisis.

Thank you,

John Doheny

Powers Lake Yacht Club Commodore

 

Open letter to Twin Lakes Village officials:

      I am Michael Gartenberg, and I own a home at 301W Park Drive in the Twin Lakes Park Subdivision.  My home is located adjacent to the channel connecting the two lakes and is just west of the bridge over the channel.

      The channel is truly one of the more picturesque places in Twin Lakes. It has been the subject of countless photographs dating back to Twin Lakes earliest days.  The channel is used daily by residents in canoes, kayaks and rowboats.

       Since Twin Lakes Park replaced the aging bridge with a beautiful new state of the art bridge that has better clearance, the use of the channel has increased dramatically.

      Due to a number of factors, the channel has always battled silt and debris problems, however never as bad as it is now.

      A number of years ago, the Lake District dredged the channel of sediment and debris. This greatly improved the flow of the channel, as well as the fish habitat. Just moments after the completion of the dredging, both bass and pan fish were seen congregating and feeding feet from the spillway. Canoe and Kayakers all were happy with the improvement.

      The lake district has done a good job with respect to surrounding properties to limit the silt entering the lake with runoff, however the existing silt in the lake combined with leaf and plant matter has created a problem

      Over the past couple of years the silt and debris have returned.  Earlier in the year the debris could be seen roughly 8 to 10 inches below the water surface.

       In the past, I have had to have dead trees removed that have fallen into the channel, and have found it quite dangerous as the silt is so thick and deep that it is impossible to stand in the channel.  Now that the lake is at extremely low levels the channel is now impassable, and has large areas of exposed silt and debris.

      I have spent quite a bit of time and energy digging out the south end of the channel in order to keep it flowing in an effort to flush out some of the blockage.

      Simply put, the sheer amount of debris, combined with the low water level has now made it impossible to clear.  The debris backup is now so bad that is has now nearly reached from Lake Elizabeth to the bridge.

      Honestly speaking, I have a particular interest in the health and beauty of the channel as my property is directly adjacent to it. It has become unsightly and does not smell too pleasant. This said, there is a greater concern, the safety of those who use it. Potentially, anyone who either falls from a canoe or kayak, or gets out in an attempt to portage to the other lake, could easily find themselves stuck or worse yet drown. I, myself, have many times witnessed people who get out too early, and sink nearly to their waist.

      I know a few years ago, the lake district purchased a service boat in order to help maintain the lakes, putting in and out buoys etc. At that time I spoke to the then Lake district chairman, Bob Livingston. He said that he thought it might be possible to use the boat with a winch cable and scoop, to help maintain the channel.  I don’t know if this is still an option now that the condition has gotten so dire.

      Please understand, this is not simply a lake level issue.  Much needed rain would have a very minor effect on flushing out any of the silt and debris in the channel. It would simply add a small layer of water inches above the potentially dangerous muck below.

      The condition of the channel has now gotten to an extreme state, where it can no longer be ignored.  We must maintain our lakes to the level where they not only are best enjoyed, but are as safe as possible for all that use them.  The last thing anyone wants to hear is that someone is hurt or worse, while out on the lake.

      I and all that use the channel would appreciate any consideration you can give to this matter.

 

Michael Gartenberg

Twin Lakes

 


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