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.
Thanks to Fred F, et. al. for their efforts. Much appreciated.