The OLSPOA water quality initiative is designed to continuously monitor and improve the water quality of Orchard Lake.

Our major activities include monthly testing of the Lake water for contaminates and clarity, as well as impurities such as mercury.

We also conduct an annual weed-harvesting program to remove excess vegetation and pollutants from the Lake.

Our third major activity is the annual goose round-up and egg replacement program which reduces the number of geese from the area and therefore reducing contamination from goose droppings.

As of August 2000, our water quality testing has shown an improvement in water clarity (secci disc average of 15.5 feet in July) and generally a healthy lake. We are continuing to monitor mercury levels, zebra mussel growth and other undesireable incursions on our Lake. Future data will enable us to identify sources and hopefully address solutions to these problems.

A recent new invader to our Lake and surrounding area is a flowering plant called purple loose-strife. This weed-like plant overtakes and destroys wetlands due to its proliferation. Introduction of a specific type of beetle has been effective in combating this plant and we are looking at this means as a natural defense against it.

This year's goose round-up produced 30 geese which were removed from the Lake area and 13 nests were identified in which plastic eggs were used to replace the real ones in an effort to reduce the goose population around the Lake.

In another activity, this year we removed over 285 tons of weeds from the Lake at a cost of $21,500.00 . This was our second largest haul ever. Removal of these weeds also removes excess nutrients and pollutants that can be harmful to the Lake and its residents.

With the Special Assessment District Fund (SAD) we have been able to do a much better job of maintaining the health of our Lake. This SAD is necessary because past volunteer support was only about 65% of the current level which is insufficient to manage these important programs which keep our Lake healthy.

For additional information, contact Bill Wilson at wwils10129@aol.com