Water Quality and Weed Management 2023

 May 8, 2023

The 72-hour Aquifer Performance Test (APT) was completed on May 5. We are pleased to report the test pump was running at a steady 1100 GPM and test wells showed no interference. Simply put, the aquifer is performing well and appears to have a substantial water supply to meet our needs.

A summary report is being prepared and upon approval of the data, Jeff VanBelle will be able to order the upgraded electrical service to the site. The pump can be ordered and installed, as well. As a final step in completing this project, the discharge will be routed to the lake.

We will continue to keep lake residents informed as we receive more information.

(Update provided by Fred Fornell.)

April 2, 2023

The well has been drilled and we are awaiting the aquifer performance test (APT). Seth Miller from Tritium and Lee Melling from Ortman Drilling were onsite the week of March 20 to finalize the discharge plans for the well. They also are actively monitoring probes that have been set in the test well that is on the site of the new well.

The significant rains we have been recently experiencing have artificially elevated groundwater levels to the point that would make an APT unreliable. This data is critical to determine all of the pumping parameters associated with the new pump. Recharge rates after pumping, horsepower requirements for he submersible pump, suggested run times to achieve lake level goals and pumping efficiency. These all require accurate APT data.

Todd Feenstra from Tritium Labs said groundwater surges are common with periods of heavy rain. They will be checking the test well probe routinely to assure groundwater levels are in a range that will allow for an accurate APT. This can be done as the rain settles down.

When Todd gets the APT completed, he will know the size of the pump needed and power requirements. Jeff Van Belle, the Cass County Drain Commissioner, will order the appropriate service from AEP. Jeff also will arrange to have the discharge completed.

I will continue to update as I get more information. Thanks, everyone, for your patience.

Update provided by Fred Fornell.

March 7, 2023–Drilling began today for the second augmentation well on the lake. It’s anticipated the drilling work will take at least 3-plus days.

Fred Fornell, who has been overseeing this project, said once drilling is completed, Tritium Labs will do an aquifer performance test. It is expected the test will be done next week. After that, the electrical will be completed, and the switches will be enclosed in a shed-like structure. We will continue to provide updates as they become available.

A message from President Bruno Eidietis: This is a project that has been 10 or more years in the making.  It has survived government regulation, the pandemic and the slow wheels of county government. The simple story is the old well was inefficient for numerous reasons.  Most of them related to poor placement so that we were losing a large percentage of newly pumped water to lake recirculation between aquifers.  After much research we found a location for the well that has a thick clay layer that would minimize the problem. Nature has to fill the lake as it has done in recent weeks.  Our efforts have to be to maintain that level during summer evaporation. This is a big step in the right direction.  I thank the many people responsible for the fruition of this project.

Restorative Lake Services Report for 2022

December 7, 2022

Provided by Tom Hable

Restorative Lake Services conducted its study of Barron Lake for 2022.

Key findings:

• Overall condition of Barron Lake in 2022 was good with moderate clarity, moderate conductivity and favorable pH and total alkalinity.
• Lower lake levels in 2021-2022 due to less rainfall, which contributed less nutrients to the lake and allowed for better water clarity with less runoff.
• Barron Lake has a favorable biodiversity of native aquatic plants, especially of Pondweeds, such as large-leaf and Illinois pondweed that are excellent fish cover and forge habitat.

For complete  Restorative Lake Services Barron Lake 2022 Aquatic Vegetation, Water Quality and 2023 Management Recommendations Report, click on link below.

Barron Lake Annual Report RLS 2022

Augmentation Well Update

Dec. 7, 2022 

Provided by Fred Fornell

Jeff VanBelle and Todd Feenstra met with Ortman at the drill site to do a final walk at the site.

An arborist cleared a tree from the well site to make room for the drilling rig. They will be drilling with a device called a “mud puppy” to separate the water from the solids that come up from the process of drilling. The site will stay cleaner as will the water returning to the lake.

The screen for the new well is being built and should be done in the next few weeks.

Upon completion of the screen and removal of the tree from the drill site, Ortman will be able to drill the well. Tritium labs will complete the 72-hour Aquifer Performance Test to assure there is no interference in surrounding residential wells. When the test is completed the new well will be powered up and we can begin pumping.

Augmentation Well Update

Water Level and Augmentation Well Update 

Sept. 26, 2022

Provided by Fred Fornell

The new pump has been a slow-moving project and the old well is an on-going project with 17 years of history. Here is a quick update: 

Old well: The old well was shut down for some time while waiting for permits from EGLE to complete some necessary repairs to the water channel outlet. Those repairs have been completed and the well is now pumping. It also looks much better.

I will note, however, that this will not correct any of the re-circulation problems that have plagued this well site from day one. Running the pump will NOT fill up the lake. It will hopefully slow the rate of water loss that we experience every summer.

We need a water table, below ground, that can provide a constant supply of water to offset the losses we normally experience during the summer months. We can only get that from adequate levels of precipitation that can raise the water table.

A pump and a well cannot change that process.

A high-volume augmentation well, however, can pump water from a very deep aquifer and add sufficient quantities of water to temporarily offset losses due to normal environmental factors. Although the current pump operates at approximately 900 GPM, the geology at the pumping site doesn’t allow for efficient pumping of water from the deep aquifer. It never has. The estimated efficiency is approximately 40-50%.

I would suggest reading articles that explain, “creating a cone of depression”, or “lake augmentation,” if you want a better understanding of the subject. If we could improve the efficiency of our well to approximately 80%, that would almost double the retained output of water to the lake. That is our goal with the drilling of a new well on the northwest side of the lake.

New well: Cass County Drain Commissioner, Jeff VanBelle, presented our well proposal, with estimated costs, to the County Board of Commissioners. The project was approved. We have been told by the driller they can have the work done for us sometime this fall. They are putting together final material costs as of the writing of this memo. I will let everyone know when this has been completed.

Note: Lake augmentation is still a new science. There are numerous examples of lakes that have implemented augmentation wells in an attempt to offset lake-level losses that occur each year. One of the largest programs exists in White Bear Lake Minnesota. It is well published and may help to provide you with a better understanding of the subject. Barron Lake has become well recognized in Michigan for the studies done to better understand the science of lake augmentation.

You cannot simply pump water into a lake and expect it to rise as it would in a swimming pool. There are no hydro-geological components to consider when filling up your swimming pool.

We can only hope that a new well will prove to be the answer to a very, very complex science.

Sept. 1, 2022

Approval for the augmentation well to be installed on the west side of the lake received approval tonight from the Cass County Board of Commissioners.

Representing Barron Lake at the county commissioner meeting tonight was Bruno Eidietis, president; Rick Marneris, vice president; and Tom Hable, treasurer; along with Jeff Van Belle, Cass County Drain Commissioner.

It is anticipated drilling will begin this fall.

Huge thanks to Fred Fornell for many years of work to get this project to fruition, and to Norbert Wleklinski and Jeff McKean for their assistance. Thanks to Jeff Van Belle, as well, for his guidance in moving the project forward.

Augmentation Test Well

Today, June 23, 2022, we began the next phase for the augmentation well. Maurer Well Services began drilling for our test well, which is located on Mary Street. The company anticipates completing the work today. 

We are hopeful the results derived from the test well are all positive, and if that is the case, we will move on to drilling the permanent augmentation well this fall or first quarter of 2023.

The board would like to thank all of our neighbors on Mary Street for their understanding and patience with the trucks and noise at the site.

WEED TREATMENT SEPT. 1, 2021

After the scheduled inspection of the lake, it has been determined another weed treatment is needed promptly.

The treatment will be performed on Wednesday, Sept. 1.

 Below is a map of the affected areas.

After the scheduled inspection of the lake, it has been determined another weed treatment is needed promptly. 

 Below is a map of the affected areas.

If your property does not have a sign posted, then the area in front of your beach is not being treated and you have no restrictions.

If you do have a sign posted on your beach, swimming will be restricted until Thursday afternoon, and watering (from the lake) will be restricted until late Saturday.

We apologize with it being the holiday weekend, but with this hot weather and lower water, it is imperative the treatment be done as soon as possible.

We forwarded this information to all emails the lake association has on file. We apologize if we have missed some people, but that would be due to not having an email on file.

Weed Control Update

Provided by Tom Hable

July 24, 2021

Treatment of four acres was conducted on July 20.  Strange year with the water down, but that is why we do it this way now. We adjust to different conditions. Will do one last inspection in August. We speak with homeowners as we go and they appear to be very happy that the association is taking such an interest in their needs

Aquatic Vegetation Control of Barron Lake

JUNE 14, 2021

NOTICE:  HIGH WINDS  HAVE CAUSED THE LAST-MINUTE CANCELLATION OF ANY WEED TREATMENTS TODAY. IT IS ANTICIPATED THE COMPANY WILL BE OUT ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, TO TREAT SHORELINES IN THE MORNING AND THE REST OF THE LAKE IN THE AFTERNOON.

June 1, 2021

Post cards have been sent to residents of Barron Lake to let everyone know the aquatic vegetation control is scheduled for the week of June 14, 2021.

Chemicals that may be used in this area include: Tribune, Clipper, Cygnet Plus and/or Procella.

The company doing the work, Pinecrest Industries, said whenever possible, it uses chemicals with the shortest watering restriction within 200 feet of the shoreline. 

There will be a one-day swimming restriction and up to a five-day water restriction in treatment area only.

Signs will be posted at the water’s edge facing the lake (This is how the EGLE requires it be done) at the time of treatment.

Barron Lake Weed Treatment 2021

February 2021

The Barron Lake Association is once again working with Pinecrest Industries to begin monthly weed and algae treatment this summer.

As per state law, the service is limited to 100 feet out from the shoreline. However, property owners with weeds and algae concerns directly in front of the shoreline (less than 100 feet out) can opt to work with Pinecrest Industries to clear those areas.

The Barron Lake Association has paid for the permit to do the entire lake, so homeowners do not need to pay for a permit. The work to clear the area in front of the shoreline is to be paid by the property owner. The charge will be $1.50 per frontage foot for the service.

To request service for your property, download the application and return it to Pinecrest using one of the following:

MAIL completed form to Pinecrest Industries, 4403 Spring Creek Rd., Galien, MI 49113  OR

SCAN application and email to blanehillman@gmail.com.

OR, take a photograph of completed application and text photo to (269) 519-9494.

The work on individual properties will be scheduled upon receipt of the application and completed in coordination with regular monthly treatments.

It is recommended interested persons apply as quickly as possible. Depending on when application is received, it could be completed in three to four days or it could be three to four weeks if that particular monthly treatment date has passed. It also should be noted there is a limit to the amount of square footage this permit will allow on shieline areas, so there is the possibility not all requests can be accommodated.

NOTE: All scheduling and billing for this service will be handled by Pinecrest Industries. ALL questions should be directed to Blane Hillman at Pinecrest. Thank you.

Lake Water Quality Weed Control 2021

Second Well on the Lake

July 2021

Updated provided by Fred Fornell

We got some good news from Jeff Van Belle, our drain commissioner, regarding our registration of the new well site. EGLE approved the registration for a new well to pump a maximum of 700 gpm. Our combined pumping capacity between both wells is restricted to a maximum of 1000 gpm. Our new well site should be far more efficient than the site of the current well.  

The registration of the new well allows us to move forward with a test well on the site. We hope to have that done this fall.  

AEP came out to the new well site and told us they would upgrade the existing power lines, replace an older pole, install a transformer dedicated to the new well/pump and upgrade the service to meet the needs of the new well. At no expense to us!

None of this will happen overnight but I’m happy to see the drain commissioner and Tritium labs moving forward with this project. 

April 2021

Update provided by Fred Fornell, who heads up the committee

• The language in the property title has been completed. 
• Our new Drain Commissioner was able to get the easement approved at the March Board of Commissioners meeting. 
• Our consultant is preparing the written specifications for the proposed well. 
• The specifications will be submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality for approval of a test well. 
• Bid requests will be completed in the near future. 
• Upon approval from the DEQ, a test well will be completed and an Aquifer Performance Test (APT)  will be conducted. 
• Upon completion of the APT, results will again be submitted to the state DEQ and EGLE for approval to drill the final well. 

The actual drilling of the well is a relatively simple project. It will require bringing electricity to the site, drilling the well, routing the water to an outlet and setting the stone to divert water as it enters the lake. The site is located at the end of Mary Street on a piece of property known as Bartak Park.

The regulatory process will determine how long it will take to complete the new well. We have no control over that aspect of this project.  Our new Drain Commissioner, Jeff VanBelle, has been very supportive at moving this project forward.  We have invited both Todd Feenstra and Jeff VanBelle to the June Barron Lake Association meeting to answer any questions that residents might have, and as of this writing are awaiting confirmation of their attendance.

Lake Quality Update

July 2021

We have seen significant levels of precipitation that helped to raise the groundwater table and lake level in recent weeks.

We continue to cycle the pump weekly to try and reduce the amount of water being re-circulated and improve the overall efficiency of the well. 

Feb. 5, 2021

Members of the Barron Lake Association Lake Quality committee learned during a Jan 12, 2021, Zoom conference call hosted by consultant Todd Feenstra, of Tritium Labs, that cycling the time the pump is running can slow the rate of lake-level loss.

Feenstra presented the lake level study data for 2020 and talked about the significant decline in the lake level over the past year. The primary reason, he said, was a significant decline in ground water levels.

Tritium looked at the relationship between lake levels and pumping activity. One of the suggestions made last year was to cycle the pumping activity. The committee started with five days on and two days off, then moved to a cycle of 12 days on followed by two days off.

The draw-down seen in ground water levels at the pumping site is recharged at a fairly rapid rate when the pump is shut off. The graphs presented by Tritium show that cycling the pump clearly slowed the rate of lake-level loss. Fred Fornell, committee chair, said, “We have always said the purpose of augmentation is to slow the natural loss of lake level that occurs over the summer months. The lake level can be enhanced, however, by pumping during the winter months when normal losses are at their lowest.”

Starting on Jan. 30, the pump will be on seven days followed by seven days off. Committee members will note lake levels on a weekly basis and adjust pumping activity as needed.

Fornell said the new drain commissioner, Jeff Van Belle, is working to complete the approval process for installing a new augmentation well on the lake, noting Van Belle is very familiar with the process and is committed to supporting the lake efforts for this very important project.

Weed Control and Miscellaneous Information Update November 2020

Information provided by Tom Hable

We were on the lake every month from April to September. From April until August we spot treated approximately 25 acres. We cannot treat weeds 100 feet from shore, so this year we offered to treat homeowners’ weeds from shore out 100 feet on an individual basis. The Barron Lake Association paid for the permit to do this, and the homeowner paid for the chemical application, which averaged $75 to $100 for a 50-foot frontage, depending on what was being treated.

 Approximately 15 homes were treated and they were very happy. The program is expected to continue in 2021. We will notify everyone when it becomes available again in 2021.

In September, because of the August heat, and the drop in lake level, milfoil popped. There were approximately 25 acres of just milfoil. With the cooler nights in September and the water temperature dropping, the chemical manufacturers advised us to wait until early spring as the chemicals would only be at 50% efficiency late September – October.

Since we are being managed now by RLS, this was very doable compared to the past as everything is marked by GPS. It will be easier in the spring to pick up where we left off. If we find the milfoil early as we will be out again in April, or if it doesn’t creep up until it gets warmer we can attack it with a chemical called Procellacor.

There are two versions of this chemical. One is just a treatment to limit the weed. The other guarantees kill or they redo it for free. The second is naturally more expensive, but much more efficient in the long run, and we can afford to do it as things are today.

To see complete report, see Barron Lake Annual Report RLS 2020.

2020 Fish Stocking

We will not be stocking any walleye in the fall as the DNR has put a new limitation on predator fish only every other year. We did stock 1,000 walleye in fall 2019, so we are done for this year. Blue gill, crappie, etc. only can be put in during the spring, so we will look at 2021. The next stocking of walleye would be in the fall of 2021.

Boat Launch on Lake Shore Drive

A large drop off had worn into the launch before the concrete drive, making it dangerous. Tom Hable notified the drain commission and arrangements were made with the help of the Board of the Barron Lake Association, and the situation has been rectified.

LAKE WATER/LEVEL UPDATE OCTOBER 2020

From Fred Fornell

The lake level seems to have stabilized and now that temperatures have cooled and we’re getting some precipitation it may be a good time to shut down the pump. Bruce Campbell is waiting for the title company to finalize a title that spells out the easement considerations for Bartak Park. When that is complete, we can drill a test well and get the permits from EGLE to drill. 

We have been in touch with our consultant at Tritium labs.  He is completing a final review and write-up of this year’s study findings. He has a lot of new data to share with us. We will be meeting for a complete review as soon as possible. 

To see the complete report, see the Barron Lake Annual Report.

WEED TREATMENT JUNE 2020

Approximately 14 acres of the lake were treated on Tuesday, June 23, 2020.

All of the treated areas have a sign posted in the yard near the shoreline. If you have a sign, please follow directions on the sign.  If you do not have a sign, your area was not treated at this time.

Tom Hable accompanied Pine Crest personnel during the treatment, noting they treated Eurasian milfoil and Curly Pond weed.

For more details on today’s treatment, see the weed posting June 2020 PDF.

WEED CONTROL UPDATE MAY 2020

Tom Hable and our consultants met out on the lake the second week of May. He reported there were so few evasive non-native weeds found on the lake the weed treatment scheduled for this last week of May has been canceled. The lake will be surveyed again and the company will schedule a treatment for mid-June to be sure the lake will be clear of weeds for the 4th of July holiday.

Also, per Bruno Eidietis, president of the Barron Lake Association, as an association, our permit does not allow us to treat weeds within 100 feet of the shoreline. He asks that if anyone has a problem in front of their property, to contact him and he will put you in contact with someone who can advise you. 

LAKE WATER QUALITY UPDATE       APRIL 2020

The lake water quality committee met this winter to discuss the lake level project. It was decided to wait until spring rains to determine whether or not it would be necessary to turn on the augmentation well. Pumping may be needed to build up the lake level as we have done in recent years. The goal is to raise the lake level to 756.5′ by May 1.

Bruce Campbell, the Howard Township drain commissioner, will add a three-inch board to the drain to help slow the loss of lake water during summer months. This also will help reduce the need for pump augmentation.

The lake water quality committee continues to pursue the possibility of adding a secondary well to be used in the event of extreme drought. As that project progresses, a formal proposal would be submitted to the lake association for review.

 WEED CONTROL UPDATE     April 2020

Permits for weed control on the lake have been secured. Weed control is a two-part system: the lake management company identifies the problem; and the applicator assesses the findings and takes action to correct needed areas. At this time, Tom Hable has met with both and said we are ready for work to begin.

It is anticipated the work will begin in mid-May to take care of any Curley pond leaf. The company will continue to monitor the lake to assess whether any further work is needed. 

It is the goal of this committee to have the weeds under control by the 4th of July.

LAKE WATER QUALITY UPDATE     August 2019

Over the past three years the lake quality committee has worked closely with our consultants to develop an effective plan that would address lake level and weed control issues.

To that end we have seen significant improvement in lake levels over the past three years. One of the basic principles adopted by the committee is to continue using the augmentation well to build lake level during the winter months. This allows us to build lake levels at a time when we are less likely to see water loss due to evaporation and natural lake bed leakage.

We have been fortunate to benefit from significant precipitation and average temperatures over these past few years.

The current lake level is approximately 756’.2”. This lake level is estimated by visually inspecting the lake level at the drain located at the boat launch.
Cass County drain commissioner, Bruce Campbell recently had the drain boards surveyed to verify the control level in place to prevent any lake front flooding. Those boards were surveyed at 756’3”. This is consistent with the visual inspection at the drain.

Our consultant also assured us a very high probability of success if we were to install a secondary augmentation well. This would be a slightly lower capacity well that would allow us to supplement the existing well in times of significant drought should that situation arise. The lake quality committee will continue to move forward, with the help of the Cass County drain commissioner, to identify potential locations for a secondary well. As we continue to study this option we will communicate our findings with the lake community. This project will only move forward with the support of our lake community.

WEED CONTROL UPDATE    August 2019

The weed control program appears to be working well thus far. The lake association hired a consulting firm to assist in our weed control program moving forward.

The firm, Restorative Lake Sciences, will survey the lake throughout the year to assess lake quality and weed growth. Our approach is to target and treat only invasive species where they exist. This will effectively kill invasive plants while allowing for the growth of native species.

We also will use far less chemicals with this approach. In late June and early July, we treated 16 acres for curly pond leaf and three acres for milfoil. During a recheck of the lake in late July only one acre of newly emergent milfoil was observed. The lake will be rechecked in August and if the milfoil has continued to expand it will be treated and killed. Restorative Lake Sciences will conduct monthly surveys of the lake throughout the growing season. Postings of treatments will only take place in those areas that have been treated.