This is a place to ask questions and share with your Duck Lake neighbors. Please keep the discussion cordial.
Duck Lake
Property Owners Association | Highland, MI
This is a place to ask questions and share with your Duck Lake neighbors. Please keep the discussion cordial.
Duck Lake 
April 16, 2018 at 11:02 pm
Does anyone know when the dock is going to be installed or moved from the boat launch on Davista so boats can be launch?
April 17, 2018 at 10:55 am
Hello,
We had set up a couple of tentative install dates to install the dock so far this spring. However, mother nature seems to be fighting us tooth and nail. Goose busters is going to be out on the lake this week and they are going to scoot the dock out of the launch pad temporarily so that boats can get into the lake. We hope to have the dock put in soon.
FYI this has/is being done by Mike Tierney, VP of DLPOA, and other board members. It doesn’t take long, but if anyone is able and willing to assist in putting this in, please let us know. It can go real quick with a few extra hands. Please reach out either at 248-382-8870, or email at contact@ducklake.org. We are always looking for new people to help get involved with the lake. A person that would be willing to help handle the install and removal of the Davista dock would be a welcome addition. The removal is normally done at a cost, so this could save money as well.
I hope to see you all out on the lake soon. COME ON SPRING!
Thanks,
Ryan
April 12, 2018 at 8:40 am
13 Swans infront of my house this morning. How beautiful. I wonder how many swans we will have on our lake in 5 years. I understand they have no natural predator enemies.If each pair has 2 cygnets (babies) a year ? Ok my point is do we need to address this similar to the Canada Goose Management by Goose Busters. Swans are pretty but can take over a lake ie. Wolverine lake in Walled Lake. They have hundreds. I think everybody knows swans can be aggressive towards small craft such as kayaks and paddleboards. Maybe the Goose Buster company has info on swan population control ? Thank you just a concern after seeing 13 infront of my house this morning. I wonder if my Lab would be ok if I let him out to go potty ?
April 12, 2018 at 9:46 am
Every spring I see maybe up to 20 swans. It’s their spring swingers party. Then they disappear to have babies then reappear in the summer. Not sure if the goose busters do anything to them but I have never seen more then 4 families on the lake during the summer. Last year there were 3 families, one with 4 kids, one with 3 kids and a pair of dinks.
April 13, 2018 at 4:33 pm
Hello Jerry and Danny,
This is a great and timely question. I juts picked up the permit for the goose nest and egg destruction. Attached to that permit the DNR has attached a “Management of invasive Mute Swans” pamphlet. Is summery..
Mute Swans are non-native species
Over the last decade the population has increased at an alarming rate and Michigan now has the largest Mute Swan population in North America
Mute Swans directly compete with native waterfowl for food and other resources, and their feeding behavior destroys vegetation that is critical food and cover for many other native species
In addition the increase has resulted in an increase of human conflicts both on shore and in the water
Due to these and other issues, there is now a FREE/Voluntary program that allows for the removal of the swans and or their nests very much like the geese program we have now.
The work would be done by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) at NO CHARGE
A permit is still needed, but the permit is NO CHARGE
Participation and reduction of Mute swans will help eliminate the above issues including controlling the invasive species numbers, decreased aggressive behavior during the nesting season and protection of the wetland habitat for native species.
For those that wish to learn more please feel free to visit http://www.michigan.gov/muteswans to learn more.
I think this is defiantly something we should discuss as a group.
Thanks,
Ryan Charlton
April 13, 2018 at 4:42 pm
I know things need to be in check, but it is nice to have 2 or 3 families of swans on the lake. Like I stated before, I have seen a lot in the spring but not that many during the summers. I have never had any problems with the swans being aggressive but have with boaters. I hope we do not get rid of all of them. Ducks are fine too. Canadian geese on the other hand make a heck of a lot more mess.
April 11, 2018 at 2:14 pm
What did you mean by the DEQ asked you to resubmit the plan to “cover every house on the lake”. Are you talking about the areas on middle Duck that were not fully covered by the system?
April 11, 2018 at 2:15 pm
And is there a new map
April 11, 2018 at 3:07 pm
Hi Laurie,
I’m sorry to ask this but can you clarify the above? The plan that we submitted to the DEQ had and still has plans to cover every house on the lake. None of this has changed. We did not have to resubmit any plans change any of the “housing” coverage. We had to resubmit the plans with any diffuser that was to be in deeper water that 13ft. Where those were slated we just moved them in to the required depth. The map is still accurate from a house stand point. The only difference are the diffusers in the middle of Big Duck and Middle Duck. I tried to explain in depth in a few posts on this discussion form below.
I hope this answers your question. Please let me know if not and I will try again.
Thanks
April 17, 2018 at 7:17 pm
HI Ryan
Well from the wording you used I thought you had to adjust coverage. Actually some of the homes on middle duck don’t really get coverage ….from what the map shows. But maybe it is better than detail.
April 17, 2018 at 7:18 pm
Is map posted here so I can explain further?
April 18, 2018 at 12:26 pm
Hello,
The map is posted above under the tab “Duck Lake Resources”. Then if you click the”water quality” tab, you will find the final layout link. I tried to edit and post the picture of Middle Duck here but the forum won’t allow to copy and paste. I did take a quick look and counted up the plates. There will be 24 diffuser plates throughout Middle Duck, depending on where you start and stop “Middle Duck” ie.. to the bridge, going into Big Duck, and where it stops in the narrows. There are roughly 4-5 diffuser plates that would have to be moved in from the deep water to comply with the 13ft rule for 2018. However, the diffuser plates are fully encompassing all of Middle Duck.
Maybe there is confusion that each house will have its own plate directly in front of their residence. The system does not, nor is it intended to work that way. The system is adding oxygen into the water which flows throughout the lake that then allows the enzymes to decompose the muck. The lake is full of natural enzymes, but they are limited due to the lack of oxygen. In addition Lake Savors will be adding more enzymes to maximize the impact. So if you do not see a diffuser plate in front of your house, please rest assured that enzymes will still be added where needed, Further, this map acts more as a guide than rule and it is a living document. A major part of the program is the continual monitoring of the design and layout. As the lake starts to react, or not react, changes will be made to address areas as needed. It is not a set it and forget it system.
I hope this helps clarify the above? If not maybe I will see you tonight at the meeting and we can further discuss this and any other questions you may have.
Thanks,
Ryan
April 18, 2018 at 1:34 pm
Hi Ryan
I read all that. Very helpful than you. Where I got mislead is the Map on Page 4. From the looks of that, my house was neither in zone 3 or zone 4. But I see from your placement that they are nearby. Thanks for all your answers.
April 18, 2018 at 1:36 pm
Ooops *** Very helpful thank you!
April 8, 2018 at 11:00 am
THANK YOU!!!!
I wanted to make sure I sent a big shout out to all of those that came to help stuff and fold the annual newsletter that went out last week. I regret not taking a picture of the “assembly line” as it was quite impressive. It sure made light work, and I think we set a new speed record for the fastest completion to date. I know that everyone is very busy and time is a valuable commodity. THANK YOU for sparing some of it to come and help make a tedious task, a quick and fun one.
Also, a quick Thank You to the folks at Skybox Sports Grill for again allowing us to take over their front room. It makes for a perfect location to set up a temporary DLPOA mail room, and the food and drinks are always a pleasant reward for the hard work.
Regards,
Ryan Charlton
April 9, 2018 at 1:36 pm
Thanx for the update on the lake level and demucking project!!! But do I read the update right? They can start the installation of air compressors and lines now, in April and May, but we have to wait till July to turn the switch, or is the system installation put on hold till July 1?
April 9, 2018 at 3:15 pm
Hi Raymond,
No we are going to try to get as much installed as soon and as fast as we can. We are going to have to work around whatever has to be worked around to insure compliance with the DEQ, and the spawning season. There is no hard date on when we can or cannot turn on the equipment, other than it being completed. If we are able to complete the full install before July 1st, we will turn it on then. However, our best estimate right now would be the July 1st date.
I hope this answers your question. If not please let me know and I will try to clarify.
April 9, 2018 at 7:54 pm
cool, thanx for the fast update!
April 6, 2018 at 11:01 pm
Try as l may, in the DLPOA newsletter received yesterday, April 5th, l cannot find what surely would have/should have been acknowledged.
On the web page from last October 17th, it was mentioned that “After many years of service our current zoo keepers are looking to pass the torch to new zoo keepers. Please call the hotline if interested. Thank you.”
Again, nothing!
ls it just me or should not the proper acknowledgement – of the many years of dedication and hard work involved in the set-up of the Zoo, the maintenance of the zoo creatures, the removal of zoo creatures at the end of the season, the storing of them as well – have been included these two DLPOA communications? And not any of the Zoo could be possible without the talented individuals behind creating the inhabitants of the Zoo…
Yet nothing.
While yesterday’s newsletter did mention that Denise Garth is looking to pass the torch to a new Zookeeper – no simple Thank You.
Really? A couple of key strokes on the keyboard would have accomplished this.
The newsletter goes on to plea, yet again, for a new Zookeeper, saying that not much response has been yet received. lt continues that it is not a difficult job.
No wonder there were few offers for taking over the role as Zookeeper. It seems it is a Thankless job. Yet it is surely is a difficult job.
l would like to extend my, and l am sure most everyone on the lake, as well as their visitors, who enjoy and are delighted by the Zoo, a most deserved THANK YOU to Denise and Steve Garth, as well as Alex Garth and Tom Rebeka for all your efforts and hard work.
Thank you again for making The Zoo a unique and very cool part of our Duck Lake!
Enjoy your retirements!
April 7, 2018 at 8:07 am
Thanks again to Denise Garth, Steve Garth, Alex Garth and Tom Rebeka for all their hard work. Our family has enjoyed this zoo for years. I’m a snowbird and can only offer to help with the Zoo effort. Last your I made the Octopus and installed it with Steve & Tom. If a team is formed I would like to help.
April 8, 2018 at 10:16 am
Hello J.J and All,
First and foremost, thank you for taking the time send this note of thanks out on this forum. It cannot be said enough how much thanks and appreciation we all should give to Denise Garth, Steve Garth, Alex Garth and Tom Rebeka. I have two young kids who grew/grown up on this lake and the zoo has been, and is still, a bright spot for them on boating trips. The zoo is something that is both unique and special and helps separate Duck Lake from all of the others.
I apologize on behalf of myself and the others that helped assemble the newsletter. As with the zoo, it takes a lot of work to put the letter out and lost in that whirlwind was our chance to highlight how thankful we are for the work they have selflessly given for many years. I hope that no one thinks that this slight was done in any manner to downplay or not give proper due thanks. In working with Denise the last few years, I can attest firsthand how hard they work in setting up, maintaining, and growing the zoo. So again, I apologize for not making that as clear as we could have in the letter or in our announcements.
THANK YOU, Denise Garth, Steve Garth, Alex Garth and Tom Rebeka. You have truly helped make Duck Lake a special place.
My hope is that we can still pass along our many thanks on the last day that they hand in (hopefully pass along) the keys to the zoo. As you made reference to, we still have not had anyone step up and take the lead on the zoo. Denise has offered to train and show the ropes to any and all who wish to continue this tradition. So, while we are in the process of replacing the current admin of the zoo, we still need Denise to pass along her knowledge or I fear the zoo may end with her permeant retirement. I truly hope that it never comes down to that. Our back up plan this year is to try to tackle the zoo with a group effort. We have a tentative install date that coordinates with the annual Coast Guard inspection. Please make sure to attend, or if you cannot, please help make others aware so that they can come. As with most things in life, many hands make light work. This is a great chance for everyone to get out and meet new neighbors. It should be a very fun way to donate a few minutes to carry on the zoo tradition and help improve the lake we all love.
Fingers crossed that spring decides to show up soon and we can all get out on the lake.
Ryan Charlton
April 5, 2018 at 8:19 am
Water level was up after all rain..5″… now all that water is gone. Went to damn this morning(4-5-18) water is now below top board. Called Jason say at water commissioner and he knows nothing . Said he will check it out. Everyone should call.. sounds like we have a vigilante on the lake..
The top grate that locks it is unsecured,the locks are broke and looks like the grate has been cut. Go take a look
April 8, 2018 at 10:37 am
Hello All,
I have spoken to Jason, and they should have the gate locked and secure shortly. He has confirmed that the summer boards have been put in place. After some good storms last week we are officially at the summer legal level. With our recommendation, Jason has put in a board that can help hold some additional water to insure we utilize the “spring showers”. So if you do visit the damn and see that the water might not be up to the top of the board, please make note that there is a two inch “cushion” to try to keep that additional water.
The well is still moving forward. The plans to start drilling the new well are scheduled to start this month. This will keep us on track to have the well up and operating in plenty of time to match the usage pattern of summers past. Please check back to the website as we will be posting updates as the work progresses.
Thanks,
Ryan Charlton
April 4, 2018 at 12:23 pm
Did they start on the lake muck removal yet? Also, there is an additional 6 inch board in the dam. Good news there!!!
April 8, 2018 at 10:52 am
Hello Raymond,
I apologize for the delay in responding to you question. I hope that you have received the newsletter and had a chance to read through the “Aeration Update”. After our brief snag, we are back to all hands on deck and full speed ahead. We have been finalizing contracts, locking in details, and ordering the last of the materials needed to begin the install. As mentioned in the letter, we should have these locked up and completed so that we can have a turn on date of July 1st. We have a check list number 1-8 and review them daily/weekly as we march towards the kick off of the muck reduction plan.
Please let me know if you have any questions that I can answer, I will do my best to keep the site updated with progress as we move foreword, and as normal, we will review monthly at our normal meetings on the third Wednesday of each month at 730 in the Highland Activity Center.
Thanks
Ryan Charlton
April 8, 2018 at 5:57 pm
Please tell me what the depth issue was with the MDEQ? did we want to go too deep or too shallow? AND considering they have little experience with “bubblers”, should it be challenged so we get the most bang for our money?
April 9, 2018 at 10:01 am
Hello Hank,
I am sorry that I missed that on the newsletter. The DEQ is not allowing us to put diffuser plates (aka. bubblers) lower than 13 ft. in the water. As our lake is an average depth of 5 feet we are still in great shape. Basically they told us to not place them in the middle of middle duck and big duck. We will still maintain the same amount of diffusers as planned and the layout still remains the same. We will simply pull the ones slated for the deep back in to the depth of 13 feet.
Their explanation for this was due to destratification of the water. For those that may not know, destratification is the process in which the water is mixed which would eliminate stratified layers of temperature. The bubbles that are taking air down to the bottom will cause this as it is intended to bring much needed oxygen to the bottom part of the lake. Aeration programs like this have been done and are currently being done in MANY lakes, and some that are much deeper than ours. Why the DEQ choose to single out our lake was a bit of a puzzler. The DNR stated it was due to concerns that the warmer water at the deeper depths (think a few degrees) could impact the northern pike, and other species they assumed we have. They were referencing a 1984 fish study that was done on our lake and mentioned four fish that I have not seen in my 6 years of fishing this lake. Luckily we have Jennifer from Restorative Lakes, and her fellow lake scientists on our side. She was able to provide a ton of data, as well as other studies that show that lack of dissolved oxygen at the lower depths has a FAR larger impact on the fish then a slight temperature change. In fact most of the fish that they assume would be down in the depths cannot live down there as there is not enough oxygen for their prey to live on and therefore must come up to live in the shallower water anyways. I digress….
When we presented this, and other data to the DEQ, they agreed to allow us to resume the project, but with the 13ft cap, for now. While we are defiantly “fighting” and insuring we get the most bang for our buck, we first need to make sure we are working with and not against the DEQ. That big first step is to get the healing process started in 95% of the lake and get the equipment in the water. So we worked with the DEQ on this permit with the right to review the “13 ft.” rule next year after additional data has been collected. In short, we did not want to sacrifice the forest for a tree.
We have had constant chatter with the DEQ and we have Lake Savors, Restorative Lake Science heavily in our corner. While we are fighting to gain some extra bubblers in the deep, they are fighting for their chance to continue to help lakes such as ours. This is a full time job and they are making sure to go about it correctly with our help when needed.
I will continue to update the website as we move forward, but if there are any additional questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Hank, this was a great question and sorry I overlooked the depth on the news letter. I hope everyone has a great week.
Regards,
Ryan Charlton
April 9, 2018 at 7:46 pm
first, any earlier comment was very clearly,
Second, your recent comment was an excellent answer.
If we can not currently optimize the depth, can we adjust the depth in the future?
April 10, 2018 at 3:49 pm
Hi Hank,
Short answer is we hope too. We at working with them and will review the permit in 2019.
March 1, 2018 at 9:09 am
Are there ways to block individuals from the forum. We moved onto Duck Lake a couple of years ago and I like to read educated discussions on what is happening with the lake, and how the neighborhood is working together to keep it enjoyable. But instead I have to sift through people wishing cancer on others, racist remarks, or now, gun threats. I understand open forums are open forums, but when is enough enough?
February 28, 2018 at 5:10 pm
Hank, Dan, Mark, and others: any reason you aren’t willing to use your full name when you post? We are all neighbors.
February 28, 2018 at 7:18 pm
My full name is Hank Dombrowski. I didn’t know that you needed full names to use your web site. Do you also need my full sol. sec number to use this site? I will give it to you also since I am a gun nut, I welcome the opportunity to use my 2nd amendment rights on anyone that wants to ‘track” me down.
Remember Ole, that you started this stupid side bar discussion.
March 1, 2018 at 12:01 am
Hi Hank and All,
I understand that we all have A LOT of emotions going on right now. I think we all need to remember that we all are striving toward the same thing. Please don’t let anything distract you from the fact that we all live on this lake because we love it and want to enjoy it. I am 100% confident that nobody is tracking anyone down, but as this is a public forum, and we have had a lot of new people move on the lake, it doesn’t hurt (if you are comfortable) to share your name. We are all neighbors and we all share this little slice of heaven. This could help us identify any trouble areas that are identified in these discussion forums. With that said….
Are we all worried about the lake because the well is being replaced? If so, I understand the concerns and assure you that we have been working all winter to insure that this is addressed. We have had multiple meetings during the holidays and weekends to make sure the well is fixed as quickly as possible. Historically we have never had to turn the well on before July, and in bad summers maybe in June. I have not received one call the last three springs with complaints that the water has been too low to drop in boats. As it is now officially March 1st (roughly) I assume the first boat in the water will still be April 1st ( for the die hards like myself). Even during the driest winters, which the last two were, we still had a full lake up to legal level every spring.
I cannot predict the weather, and would be a fool to say that we shouldn’t be aware of nature. However, I do know that we, and especially Ole, have gone above and beyond to insure that this well situation is getting remedied ASAP. This matter lies completely in the hands of the WRC, and it could have been left at that. However, Ole took it upon himself to locate and contact additional well providers to insure that this project was expedited as fast as possible. The fact that this well is on track to be fixed before summer, is directly correlated to Ole.
Please feel free to express concern about the lake on this website. That is why it is here, and why there are side bar discussions. However, please remember we are all neighbors who get to share this lake. If anyone has a solution or cares to help, please do so, we need all hands on deck. If you cannot that is ok too. But please keep in mind that others are fighting hard to help. The WRC has a legal obligation to insure our lake is kept at that level that is dedicated by law. I encourage anyone who has voiced concerns about the boards in the damn to reach out to the WRC and ask for an update. We are paying for their services, lets use them.
I look forward to seeing you all out of the lake here shortly, Only one last month before boating begins. Challenge to anyone who will put their boat in before mine! I plan on April first. Hope to see you on the lake.
March 1, 2018 at 3:41 pm
I want to apologize to Ole and any others that were upset with my response to Ole’s request for my and others’ last names (but not for Anonymous to take off their mask). I thought that he was singling us out for our comments in the past.
Sorry Ole, I will take a deep breath in the future before I respond.
Sincerely
Hank Dombrowski
March 3, 2018 at 7:51 am
Thanks for the level headed response !
Bruce Travis
February 25, 2018 at 4:21 pm
With all the snow and rain we have received thus far this year. It appears that the lake level is still down! l The new WELL
is not scheduled until early summer. Why are we allowing all this precious water to flow over the dam ???
February 25, 2018 at 5:39 pm
if that is true, I totaly agree.
February 26, 2018 at 7:25 am
I also agree, hopefully there will not be any issues putting the boat in this spring.
February 26, 2018 at 8:25 am
This morning the lake is 1.5″ below it’s summer level. That compares with it’s winter level of 6″ below summer level. That can easily be made up with spring rains. Too early to panic.
February 28, 2018 at 2:09 pm
I don’t know where your getting your measurements. The water level by my house is down a lot more than one and a half inches. I’ve talked to at least a dozen people around the lake that said the same thing. If it stays like it is, I will not be putting my boat in this spring.
February 28, 2018 at 5:08 pm
Several years ago I measured the level at the official gauge at the outlet and transferred it to a gauge screwed to a 2″ steel pipe augured into the sand/gravel bottom of the Ramada canal at my dock. I have checked several times and it remained accurate, as of last fall it was within a quarter inch of the official gauge. I have not rechecked since then. You may be looking at what level you would like the lake to be rather than the level set by the court 50 years ago. The legal summer level is 1016.63 above sea level. Last summer it was normal that they held the lake at least 2 inches above legal level. When the county measured the level on February 23, 2018, they measured it at 1016.70 or about an inch above summer legal level. you can verify the lake level here: https://www.oakgov.com/water/Pages/publications/lake_levels.aspx
with the 2/23/2018 here: https://www.oakgov.com/water/Documents/lake_lev/2018/02_23_18_wllr.pdf
If you are concerned with the lake level being too low for your boat hoist, you may want to lower your hoist a few inches to avoid the stress and worry. There is no reason you should not be able to use your boat even if the lake is 6″ low. Most canals are 4-7 feet deep and there are only a very few shallow areas in the lake to otherwise worry about.
February 28, 2018 at 6:29 pm
Ole, Come by my house and take a look at the water level in front of mine and I’m on the main lake.
February 28, 2018 at 7:25 pm
I apologize that I cannot follow up further due to immediate travel plans. We do not control the water level, we just observe. Please contact Jason Say the the office of the Water Resources Commissioner, his phone number is 248-858-1474. He is the county’s lake level engineer. He will be able to tell you the status of the level control boards.
March 1, 2018 at 4:58 pm
Hi Ryan, nice note: The Garmin GPS elevation level that we use shows a different reading than what has been published. I am sure that this is case (plus or minus) around the whole lake. What matters most is that the number of boards that are in place at the dam (not leaking under pressure ) My concern is that the DLPOA does not a official person monitoring the dam site other than a marking at the end of their dock. That person should have direct link to the WRC. and have the full weight and the authority of the DLPOA. Not every home owner on the lake calling the WRC. Please review and advise Patty Zimmerman
March 3, 2018 at 3:56 pm
Hi Patty, Unless you have survey grade (Very expensive) GPS, no common GPS has the accuracy needed to determine lake level. It will be +/- several feet vertically. Remember water seeks its own level so the lake level is the same everywhere on the lake as it is at the official gauge. That is how I am able to measure the lake level at my dock, using a water transfer on a calm day. I was only suggesting folks to call the county as they apparently don’t believe my assessment of current lake levels.
February 28, 2018 at 6:26 pm
I agree. Looked at the lake level after all the rain and it was beautiful. Now today The water level is down. Why is all the water being let out put a board in the dam and save the water. You can always let it out later if it’s too much. I would really appreciate a reply as to what is going on. It’s still too early in the season for this to be happening.