Our Problem

    The problem with our lake over the last few decades has been a rapid increase in weed growth. The weeds affect the quality of boating and swimming pleasure for both young and old.

   The technical name for this problem is eutrophication, the death of many lakes. Eutrophication is the steady build-up of decaying plant and animal organisms on the lake floor which accelerate the growth of plant life.

   Since human habitation in the lake watershed has caused the problem, we must cooperate with nature to slow down this fatal process.

What We Have Done
     In the early '70s, it became apparent that something had to be done.   On August 18, 1971, Charles Page was host at his home to Carl Peterson, Jim Arcangeli, Jim Pebble, Dana Fletcher and Bud Kelley.  The concept of the WLA was established that evening. Charles Page and Carl Peterson agreed to be co-chairmen.  The original by-laws were written and the first meeting was held August 25, 1971.   Charles Page was elected as our first president, Carl Peterson as vice-president and Henry Walker as treasurer.  Indeed, we are indebted to these people for their initial efforts to save Wyman Lake.   

    Since that time we have worked with countless state agencies and companies to accomplish our goals.  The Clean Lakes Act of 1984 enabled us to receive a grant to contract for the Hydro Rake to remove our shoreline weeds at a cost of $18,000, of which $4,500 was paid for by the members.  

   In 1985, a committee was headed by Thomas Guilmet to apply for a state grant to purchase a weed harvester and dump truck.  Eurasian Milfoil weed was growing in full swing.  They were successful in getting the grant and were able to purchase the equipment for $118,000, of which $29,500 came from the lake association members. 
   The weed harvester cut the weeds to a depth of five feet and brought them onboard.  They were then loaded onto a dump truck by a conveyor and brought to a dump site.  The operation can be compared to mowing your lawn.  While the lake looked a little better, we were barely keeping up with the weed growth and were not killng any weeds.
   The harvester operated every year until 2005.  The twenty year old machine was now in need of replacement, despite constant repair and maintenance.  By now the replacement cost for just the harvester was $130,000, with no chance for grant monies.
 

Future Efforts
   Our efforts to stop the death of our lake must be ongoing and never-ending.  Remember that humans caused the problem.  We accelerated the eutrophication process from centuries to a decade or less.  According to a feasibility study performed in the early '80s, 700 tons of sediment enter our lake on an annual basis. We must do everything we can to retard this process.  In view of this, we must continue the shoreline raking with the hydro rake in the Spring and discourage residents from adding sand to their beachfronts.   

   Nutrients causing excessive plant growth also come from overuse of lawn fertilizer, faulty septic systems, and animal waste.  We must continue an educational program on proper septic systems, yard care, pets, waterfowl, runoff and household products.