A volunteer organization, directed towards maintaining and improving the waters of Harwood Lake and its watershed for all to enjoy
We have some great news for our HLA Members. Nelsons Herbs is offering a 10% Discount to all payed to date Harwood Lake Association Members. This offer will begin on the 1st of August and run through 12/31/2022.
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https://www.facebook.com/nelsonsherbs/
I asked Cass County Drain Commissioner Jeff VanBelle for a update and the following is his reply,
A Video inspection of the pipe coming out of Corey Lake showed it is in good condition. I spoke with Jeff Wenzel from St Joe County, and we agreed it would NOT need replaced. This will be a cost savings.
A couple easements were needed. They have been prepared and I believe signed by the property owner.
That’s all I know for now. I will see the St Joe County Drain Commissioner on May 6th and will discuss.
Jeff VanBelle
Hello Harwood Lake Association Members!Thank you for your continuing support and participation in the Harwood Lake Association, and a special thank you to those who were able to attend the Annual Meeting education sessions, elections, and Ice Cream Social! Great to see you!Now, so many other ‘thank you’s’ to extend along with a summary of the meeting highlights for those unable to attend.Thank you to our expert presenters:*Alex Florian, CISMA invasive species coordinator, provided valuable information about invasive species, plus, unfortunately, identified a new invasive plant in our lake!! – more to follow. For questions about what’s invasive and what’s not, and what to do if true, contact Alex at: invasivesed@vanburencd.org Work: 269.657.4030 x 5*Pat Boyle, Cass County SESC inspector, outlined the long term negative impact of erosion/sediment and how to avoid this from happening. He urged the need to change from an urban (HOA) lawn to a natural shoreland to protect the lake. Before starting any project that disturbs the soil or citing of erosion, contact Pat. pat@cassccdistrict.org Cell: 269.845.9954 POP QUIZ from the meeting presentations:
*Jim Kings, HLA president, reported on Harwood water clarity- how clear or cloudy. NOTE: All readings are taken in the deepest part of the lake, same time of day, on Friday – before increased weekend boat traffic. Over the course of the summer, our lake clarity has declined from 22 feet in May to 8 feet in July. Jim has reached out to MLSA for possible causes. Jim, a special thanks for your diligence and all you do for Harwood Lake and Association!
*Broc Watkins, HLA treasurer, presented the Y-T-D numbers and noted a positive balance. . Membership dues remain at $25 per calendar year. While membership is down from last year, approximately 60% of Harwood Lake riparians are members. Broc, thank you for diligence and keeping HLA fiscally healthy!
Other Events – ElectionsThe HLA officers and board members extend gratitude for the opportunity to serve you and support the Harwood Lake Association. The current officers and board will remain in place with one exceptionTreasurer: Broc Watkins resigned. A new treasurer was elected: Scott Morris.
As earlier stated, MANY THANKS TO MANY.. and apologies for any unintentional oversight of anyone deserving but not mentioned.
Have a great summer and continue to make a positive difference for the Harwood Lake environment!!
Your HLA Board and Officers
Please remember to check out Harwoodlake.org for Updates , Stories from around the lake and Lake info. We have some Great new stories recently added to Our “Shoreline & Habitat Restoration” &” Around the Lake” Tabs.
I am updating some Data on the Webpage and this Post/Email is a result of that.
Im hoping I have our Web Page Email Notifications fixed. If your reading this it was successfully done 🙂
Have a pleasant day
Jim
I have sent an email to the members of the “Harwood Lake Association” to thank everyone for their support – we had an impending threat to our lake and we needed to come together. By forming the Lake Association we had the ability to get and share information about the Intercounty Drain meetings and plans. The primary mission of the Association is the preservation of Harwood Lake and we would like the Association to continue into the future but we can only do that with your continued support.I would like to invite all Harwood Lake riparians to join and support the Association – if you have not already joined. You can support the Association in many ways – if you would like to be on the board – this is the time to submit your name – this is an election year, more news about that can be found on our web page “www.harwoodlake.org” or on Facebook “Harwood Lake Official”. You can support the Association with your involvement – submit a story, information or pictures to share on the web page or Facebook. And you can support the Association with your dues and donations – we started it late in 2019 so dues paid then covered 2019 and 2020. Dues are 25.00 annually and have been used to register our Association, start our web page, print the Newsletter, become part of a larger Michigan Lakes & Streams Association, and may be used to cover expenses of training and materials used in the expanded testing and analysis of Harwood Lake water quality. We had 55 households that had paid and donated during the “first-year” 2019 & 2020 – so far we have 29 who have paid for this year 2021 – and again I thank you for your support. If you haven’t paid for 2021 please send your check in when you can – to:
Harwood Lake Association PO Box 111 Jones MI 49061.
Thank you,
Broc Watkins ; Treasure
If you’re interested in Learning how to Monitor Lake & River Water Quality this is a great opportunity. Visit micorps.net for information about the program, to sign up for updates, and register for the training day on Thursday, April 29th from 9am to 4:30pm. This is a Free Program !
On Tuesday 11/10/2020 Diane L., Howard H. & Jim K. represented Harwood Lake during a virtual meeting with the Drain Commissioners from Both Cass & St.Joseph County’s along with the Lawyer & Engineers that have been contracted to do this Project.
Due to many factors Proposal No.4 which includes a gravity drain being installed on Long Lake has been ruled out which is great news for us ! Proposal 3 which includes Long Lake to Continue to pump their water to Clear Lake and repairing the current drainage from Clear Lake to Mud / Kaiser and the Peterson Drain was proposed and voted on and approved by the Commissioners.
To sum things up basically the Water flow and course will remain the same with improved / updated drainage. This is Harwood Lakes best case scenario as we will have no Environmental impact.
Jim K.
For the Sake of the Lake – Thank you, Gary!
HLA member Gary Brundige recently observed fishermen pulling their boats from Corey Lake and immediately launching their boats into Harwood Lake not complying with the Michigan Boating Law to prevent the spread of invasive species. (See Michigan Boating Laws excerpt and link below.)
True to Harwood Lake Association Mission to preserve, protect and promote the aquatic environment of Harwood Lake, Gary informed fisherman of new law and compliance requirements. Thank you for your lake stewardship and leadership, Gary!
What to do if you observe Michigan Boating Law violations:
Much of the education and enforcement of Michigan’s boating laws are dependent on its citizen’s. Here’s what to do if you observe a boating violation:
Hello Harwood Lakers ,
I’m happy to tell you that the Harwood lake Association along with Cass County Conservation District & Sw x Sw Cisma will be hosting 2 Landing Blitz’s in coordination with EGLE. These 2 event’s are to educate boaters coming into our lake on invasive species and how they can help prevent the spread into our lake as well as others.
These events are Scheduled for 6/27/20 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm & 7/4/20 from 9:00am – 12:00 pm
Please come and visit us and take part in protecting our natural resources.