Lake Lowering, Etc.

Reminder: We will begin to lower the Lake incrementally on October 15th. The Lake is required to be lowered to its desired depth by November 1st. We are lowering the lake by approximately 24"-30" at the dam. If you have not done so already, please remove your boats from the water immediately. It is up to the property owners' discretion if they are to remove their docks or not. In addition, please remove all boats, kayaks, paddle boards, etc. from the boat racks on the East Beach and West beach by November 1st. Thank you!

CLCC Board

Lily Pad Treatment

We received a lily pad treatment of roundup custom in the cove areas today (9/27). There are no water use restrictions but we ask that everyone avoid boating in these areas for the next 24-48 hours. Although late in the season, this treatment will help us get a jump start on next year as the treatment is systemic.

Again, we appreciate your patience through this difficult season.

-Lake Resource Committee

The Latest Lake Treatment

Aquatic Analysts were on the lake this morning 9/12/22 treating with Copper Sulfate. There are no water restrictions.

The Lake Resource Committee and Aquatic Analysts have been aware of the Algae bloom for over a week, but low oxygen levels prevented a treatment last week.

In addition, the lake has flipped (cold water goes to the bottom, warmer water from the bottom comes up), which is the reason for the reduced visibility and the "lake odor". This is part of the natural cycle of the lake.

As always, we appreciate your patience as we work through a tough season.

~Lake Resource Committee

Algae Bloom Treatment

Over the weekend the committee was made aware of a significant algae bloom in the lake. Aquatic Analysts were notified immediately and they conducted a survey and treated the lake with Copper Sulfate and Biozyme on August 15, 2022. There are no restrictions on the lake. Thank you all for your patience as we work hard to keep the lake healthy this summer.

- Lake Resource Committee

Lake Lowering

The CLCC Board has approved the lowering of the lake starting October 15th, 2022, and is expected to reach it’s desired depth by November 1st. The lake is typically lowered every 5 years for normal maintenance needs for both homeowners and the CLCC to perform. These maintenance items enable CLCC to clean accumulated grit and run-off on the beaches, and to make repairs to boat launches and docks. It also allows for lake front owners to make any needed dock and waterfront repairs to their properties. This year with the recommendation from Aquatic Analysts and other sources we are keeping the lake lowered for an extended length of time. The Lake Resources Committee has acquired the permits for this project from the state of NJ. The lake will be lowered 24” to 30” at the dam. The refill of the lake will begin on March 15th, 2023.

As you know we have been fighting and algae problem for most of this summer, and we have not been able to treat our weeds and lily pads as we had hoped to. By Keeping the lake lowered for a longer amount of time during the coldest part of the winter, we hope to significantly reduce the weed issues in the lake for following summer. This is not the only step we are taking in fighting weeds and lily pads, as we have been communicating, but it is an important one.

We encourage lake front property owners to pull out any weeds and lily pads that are exposed along your lakefront during this lowering period, and to clear up areas of muck if possible. We may ask for volunteers to help clean up some of the beach areas, or exposed lake areas that are property of the shareholders and CLCC.

All boats and docks that are normally taken out for the winter will also need to be removed by October 10th, 2022.

Both the CLCC Board and the Lake Resources Committee would like to thank you for your support in this program as we endeavor to improve the overall ecology of the lake.

Algae Update

We have identified a few potential sources for the increased nutrient load that is causing our algae issues. This will take time to resolve as we need to coordinate with homeowners and the towns. Please bear with us while we work to resolve this. More updates to follow.

In addition, it has come to our attention that we have a new fish in the lake. This fish is called Alewife, or Freshwater Herring. Some of you may have noticed that during the dawn and dusk hours there are areas of the lake where it looks like the water is boiling. These are the Alewife. It looks like we may have some very large schools of these fish in the lake.

These fish are filter feeders. They take in water through their mouths and filter it out through their gills. They eat small plankton and certain types of algae. The issue is that the plankton and algae they are eating are beneficial to our lake. These plankton and algae help keep the lake clean and free of the bad algae we have been fighting all summer. Because of the large fish population and how they feed, we know that this is another source of our algae issue.

These fish are a very common type of bait fish that fishermen will purchase to fish with. The reason they are in our like is that one or more fisherman is dumping their remaining live baitfish in the lake when they are done fishing. These fish reproduce rapidly, which leads to a large new population in the lake.

We plan to monitor our fisheries for the remaining warm water months. Upon determination of our fish population, we will most likely stock a native fish to our lake to increase the predators for the Alewife in hopes of reducing their population. If we decide to do this stocking it will happen in the spring.

We are asking all people that are fishing in the lake to avoid using this type of live bait. In addition, no matter what type of live bait, we ask they you do not release any live fish into the lake. Lake Patrol has been notified of the issue and will be checking in with people fishing to assure that they are complying with this.

We thank you all for your patience as we continue working to keep our lake clean and healthy. Keep an eye out for more updates in the future.

Thank you!

Lake Resource Committee

Lake Health Update

As everyone knows, we have an issue with algae in the lake this summer. The cause of these algae blooms is excessive nutrients in the water. 

We are actively investigating a point-source issue and we are hoping we can resolve that before next summer. In the meantime, there are a lot of small things we as homeowners/property owners in the lake community can do to reduce adding additional nutrients to the lake. These things are extremely important for lakefront property owners but are also important for all homeowners in our community. Every single property in the community eventually drains into the lake!

• Do not keep potted plants on your docks or anywhere near the lake. The fertilizers and organic material from the soils in these pots will go directly into the lake. 

• Do not fertilize your lawns (lime is also bad). If you really need to, please research a natural fertilizer that is lake friendly. 

• Do not blow leaves, dump lawn clipping, or place any other debris in the lake. This is extra important during lake lowering. Just because more shoreline is exposed, doesn't mean that it won't affect the lake. 

• Do not dump anything into the storm drains and if you have one in front of your property, please try and keep the area around it clean. 

• Get your septic pumped every 2 years. 

Thank you all for looking out for the health of our lake!

-Lake Resources Committee 

Crandon Plant Life

I just wanted to show all of you the types of weeds that are found in the lake. We are aware of all of these species and our [latest] treatment should knock them back to a more manageable level. If you do see a plant that looks nothing like any of these, please let me know. I am now best reached at lakeresources@crandonlakes.org.

Gene Bove

Spirogyra, Green Algae

White Water Lily

Coontail Plant

Curly-Leaf Pondweed

Filamentous Algae

Horned Pondweed

Naiad Plant

2022 Lake Water Report

Lake Health and Management Report

Dear Crandon Lakes Country Club Members

As reported by Aquatic Analysts, Inc., the overall ecological condition of the lake is good considering its age. The only invasive vegetation currently growing in the lake is curlyleaf pondweed.  Years ago, another invasive species, Eurasian watermilfoil, was found growing in the lake but with treatment has been eradicated.  Currently growing in the lake are the following native weed species: coontail, elodia, naiads, horned pondweed, ribbonleaf pondweed, and slender leaf pondweed.  Algae blooms became an issue at times and were successfully treated and eliminated

Currently, there are two areas of concern; the main inflow from the swamp in the Ballfield Cove and the inflow on the west shore in the Ballfield Cove coming from Longwood Trail. It is felt that these two areas contribute to nutrients, sediments and biomass entering Crandon Lakes. The Hydro raking project in the fall of 2021 removed 312 yards of organic matter from the lake. This organic matter contained a significant concentration of phosphorus and nitrogen. With this organic matter removed, the lake should see higher levels of oxygen important to sustaining a healthy fishery.

The water lilies could not be hydro raked due to the firm lake bottom. In the future, to manage the growth of water lilies in the lake, Aquatic Analysts, Inc. will start aggressive herbicide treatment in June 2022 once lily pads are fully emerged. Areas to be treated are the Entrance Cove and the Northwest Cove. As a professional courtesy, Aquatic Analysts will not charge the CLCC for these treatments. Treatment will be given when authorized by the lake representative.

The Crandon Lakes Country Club Board has approved a contract with Aquatic Analyst, Inc, for 2022. The company will perform bi-weekly monitoring of the lake. They will observe the growth of algae and aquatic weeds and potential sources of external nutrient loading. They will treat these issues before they become a problem. During their visit, they will measure the water clarity, collect water samples for microscopic analysis and identify any issues.  In addition, aquatic plants will be identified and their location mapped. Herbicides will be applied to portions of the lake to control the growth of submerged aquatic vegetation during the season May through September.  Targeted vegetation will be curleyleaf pondweed, slenderleaf pondweed, ribbon leaf pondweed, horned pondweed.  Aquatics Analyst, Inc will determine which portions of the lake will be treated in their bi-weekly surveys.  The following herbicides will be used

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation: Diquat/Tribune/Aquathol-K

Water Lily: Rodeo/ Polaris/ Flumigard/ Semera

Algae: treatment will only occur if they suspect the onset of an algal bloom. They will proactively treat the areas of concern with Copper sulfate (algaecide)

The lake resource committee membership has been expanded to monitor the condition of the lake and address issues as they arise.  We will take a proactive stance to enhance the lake experience for everyone.  Please feel free to contact the volunteers on the committee with your concerns and helpful ideas lakeresources@crandonlakes.org

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Gentle Reminder: Please do not put anything down the storm drains along the main road: they empty straight into the Lake

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If you take your boats into another body of water; Please remember to rinse it off prior to putting it in the Lake.  We don’t want any invasive weeds!

2022 Lake Health and Management Report

Neighbors and Friends,

Attached below, please find a Lake Health and Management report for the 2022 season. This report has been compiled from several in depth documents we have required from our Professional resources.  To better understand our living lake and provide the best future management, we have developed a 2022 plan and are working on future goals and opportunities.

• Overview:

  • Our lake is a living eco system that requires constant care, observation, and management. Although we face several challenges to keeping the lake a friendly, usable, fishery and recreation facility, we have learned that the lake’s ecological condition is in good condition considering its age. We have overcome some detrimental conditions of invasive weeds and continue to battle native weeds and algae. It is the committee’s goal to address these issues as they need attention and develop a long-range plan to supplement our present management. Listed below are excerpts in a bullet form to keep you aware of the projects and plans taking place. For a more detailed read please reference below.

• Hydro raking Project

  • 312 yards of organic matter were removed

  • Due to the firm lake bottom it was learned that removing the Lilly Pads would have created a larger issue come spring due to not being able to completely remove the entire plant

  • The Water Lilly treatment is being addressed in our 2022 plan

    • Our Lake Treatment contractor has agreed to provide Lilly pad treatment at no cost

• 2022 Plan

  • We have entered a contract with Aquatic Analyst for the season

    • Bi-weekly monitoring

    • Algae and weed control

    • Water clarity and sampling

    • Immediate issue identification and resolution suggestions

  • Expanded committee membership and now hold monthly committee meetings

  • Lake communication via email, newsletter, and social media

  • Lake lowering – FALL 2022

• Future considerations and planning (discussed monthly)

  • Explore several alternative or supplemental lake treatments

    • Micro Bubblers / Water gardens

    • Sediment reduction

    • Weed harvesting

    • Budget and funding.

    • Inlet observation and remediation

  • Increased input and participation from fisherman, swimmers and boaters

  • Seeking input from several other lake communities

  • Main inlet remediation

    • Reduction of sediment and biomass entering the lake

  • Pursuing any available assistance

    • Township / Grants

If you want to correspond to the committee, please do so via lakeresources@crandonlakes.org

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If you take your boats into another body of water; Please remember to rinse it off prior to putting it in the Lake.  We don’t want any invasive weeds!

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Gentle Reminder: Please do not put anything down the storm drains along the main road: they empty straight into the Lake