It took a great deal of effort, but the SAD supporting a Lake Management Program for weed control and to improve the overall health of the lake has been approved by Ross Township.

Special thanks to Roger Schweitzer for his tireless work on the petition drive.  Many thanks to all of the Beach Directors and others who assisted in gathering signatures.  More than 60% of residents by land area around the lake signed the petition in favor of the SAD. 

We have engaged Jennifer Jones from Lakeshore Environmental to assist in the development and execution of the Lake Management Plan. 

The Plan is designed to enable the use of a variety of management strategies over the five year Special Assessment Period.  This will allow us to be adaptable and flexible in addressing weed, algae and nutrient issues rather than getting "locked in" to one particular management method.

The primary management methods in the plan include:

•        Targeted use of herbicides with the goal of reducing/eliminating their use during the assessment period.

•        The Milfoil Weevil.  This method is designed to control Milfoil as an alternative to herbicide use.

•        Clean-Flo Engineered Aeration System.  This has already been implemented in the Channel and is delivering results on water quality, weed reduction and algae reduction.  We are in the process of measuring and assessing whether the system is reducing the nutrient base or “muck” on the bottom of the channel.

•         Targeted Harvesting.  This method will be utilized specifically for the control of excess pond weed in the lake.  The dense brown weed that breaks the surface in some parts of the lake and impedes boat traffic.  Jennifer Jones and Lakeshore Environmental will provide close monitoring of harvesting to ensure we get better “bang for our buck” than in past years.

We will also continue to push watershed management practices, drain control and invasive species prevention through resident education and the Clean Boats/Clean Waters Program.

Every Sherman Lake Resident has the opportunity to provide input and voice their perspective and opinion on the Lake Management Program.  All SLRA Board Meetings are open to all residents.  To review the research and documentation gathered and developed by the Weed & Water Quality Action Team click here.

 Sherman Lake Needs You!!   

We need volunteers and assistance this summer in the following areas: 

•         Join The Team! - he Weed & Water Quality Action Team needs volunteers to help us continue our work. Send us an email if you are interested in joining the team.

•        Drain Control - We need help identifying ALL of the places around the lake where water (and sediment) is draining directly into the lake!! We will be working with the County Road Commission to improve the drains. We also can assist residents who have a problem with run-off.  Send us and email if you can help or need help with a drainage issue.

•        Clean Boats Clean Waters - We need volunteers to assist with the Clean Boats, Clean Waters Program. This initiative involves educating boaters at the public launch on the importance of inspecting their boats for invasive species prior to launch. Email if you can donate a few hours time to this important effort.

•         STOP Using Phosphorus Fertilizer Around the Lake - Click here to download an information sheet on how you can have a beautiful lawn without feeding the weeds in the lake with phosphorus based fertilizer from your lawn and gardens.