Lake Management Plan

Lake Management Plan Focus Areas

The Lake Management Plan under development by the Weed and Water Quality Action Team will focus on four key strategy areas:

1. Implementation of a Comprehensive Water Quality Analysis Program

The foundation of a successful Lake Management Plan is a comprehensive Water Quality Analysis Program. Another key area of focus will be the collection and analysis of water quality data on the lake. By thoroughly understanding the chemistry of the lake we will be able to more effectively evaluate and confidently select long-term improvement strategies.

2. Development of Long Term Treatment Options

The ultimate objective of the Lake Management Plan is to identify and implement a comprehensive improvement program that delivers results in terms of weed reduction and also significantly improves the overall health of the lake ecosystem. There is broad recognition that chemical treatment alone is not a long term solution. For a review of strategies under consideration click here.

3. Funding Strategy

We have secured funding for 2009 - 2013 with the passing of the Special Assessment District. We have engaged Jennifer Jones of Lakeshore Environmental to assist us in the development and execution of the Lake Management Plan for Sherman Lake.

5. Resident Education and Engagement – Resident engagement and communication is a critical part of our strategy. This website represents a major step forward in making sure that everyone on the lake can stay informed and get engaged in the effort to preserve Sherman Lake.

Contact us via email with your questions and feedback or visit our Lake Strategies Work Space to

contribute your thoughts and ideas.

The Weed and Water Quality Action Team has developing a comprehensive plan for weed and water quality management for the future of the lake.

The focus of the plan will be to provide both short-term improvement on weed control and long-term improvement in the overall health and balance of the lake ecosystem.

The Weed and Water Quality Management Team is making good progress on developing and implementing a comprehensive Lake Management Plan for Sherman Lake.

Here is a detailed report of progress made as of October, 2008.

October 2008 Special Assessment District Passed

The Special Assessment District passed on October 14, 2008. We had strong resident support for this effort and also some healthy dissent. A Lake Management Plan has been completed that is designed to deliver both short term benefits on weed control and long-term benefits to improvement the health of the Lake. We have contracted with Jennifer Jones of Lakeshore Environmental to assist in the implementation of this plan and the monitoring of results throughout the five year SAD Period.

June 2008 Clean-Flo Engineered Aeration System Installed in Sherman Lake Channel

The Residents on Sherman Lake Channel worked together to install a Clean-Flo Engineered Aeration System in the Channel in June of 2008. The system operated continuously through the summer and delivered significant results in water quality improvement and weed reduction - particularly Eurasian Water Milfoil and other submerged weeds. The floating duckweed and watermeal were not eliminated, but did appear to be reduced. We are measuring and monitoring muck reduction at the bottom and should have more data next season. Early indications did indicate that biological breakdown of organics was accelerated by the Clean-Flo System.

2007 Treatment Plan

A plan has been developed for working with Professional Lake Management in 2007 to continue to manage Eurasian Water Milfoil and attempt to reduce the Pondweed that has become a major nuisance in the South End of the lake.

This plan was unanimously approved by the Sherman Lake Board at the March 13, 2007 Board Meeting. To review the details of this plan click below:

Adobe PDF File

MS Word File

2007 Water Quality Analysis Program

A plan has been developed and a vendor has been selected to assist us in collecting and analyzing water quality data for Sherman Lake in 2007. The team recommended using Water Quality Investigators and Wallace Fusilier, Ph.D. for our analysis program in 2007. Dr. Fusilier has over 30 years experience as a Limnologist and water quality analysis expert. He has compiled a comprehensive database of Michigan Lakes and is quite possibly the most knowledgeable resource on Michigan Lakes in the entire state.

This recommendation was unanimously approved by the Sherman Lake Board at the March 13, 2007 Board Meeting. To review this recommendation and a sample report prepared by Water Quality Investigators click below.

Recommendation (Adobe PDF version)

Recommendation (MS Word version)

Sample Report (Adobe PDF Version)

Development and Implementation of A Resident’s Survey

A survey has been developed to gather data on resident’s perceptions on the condition of the lake and input on the future direction of the Lake Management Plan.

This survey is being implemented door-to-door by the Beach Directors. Results will be compiled in time for presentation and review at theAnnual Meeting on May 4, 2007.

To download a copy of the survey and the corresponding Sherman Lake Fact Sheet click below.

Survey (PDF version)

Fact Sheet (PDF version)

Email us your ideas and feedback!