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 
September 2, 2017 at 9:18 am
My parents bought their cottage in Small Duck in 1969, when l was 12. They remodeled and retired out here in 1975. We had been on this lake full time since 1975. l myself live between the points, since 1980, and this area has the worst muck problem, 2nd to under the bridge, on the large bay, with only a couple of homes.
l have to blow the muck around just so l can use my boat lift. Of course, the muck floats back in a short time. And if the neighbors don’t/can’t move the muck that floats in front of their homes, the muck builds up, eventually forming a solid land mass, reducing water area. Not a good thing.
Looking back in time, when the bay in front of my house was covered 80% in weeds, and boats had only a narrow path cut in the weeds to follow, as well as some of Small Duck, when the “weed” harvester was needed many consecutive years to get a hand on the weed issue, this was an eye-opener as to the fact that Duck Lake, (OUR lake), as ANY lake, has a limited life-span. This is inevitable. We can only slow the dying process.
That being said, we need to do what needs to be done to keep this lake viable and useable, for as long as possible.
Just as many big cities have areas that are considered “blight”, lakes themselves have areas that can be considered with the same negativity.
l am the guy many of you may see out there at night with the bright lights on the boat, shooting carp. These fish themselves represent a huge threat to the quality of the water in Duck Lake. ln any lake. They are an invasive species. They feed on many of the weeds in the lake that are actually beneficial weeds that are necessary for a healthy lake, as these weeds produce needed oxygen for a healthy lake.
Without these weeds, any lake will eventually become a stagnant, dead lake. All lake life will die. Even the carp themselves will die. Then we will be living on Duck Swamp.
A mature 30 pound female carp will lay 4,000,000 eggs every spring spawn season. Conditions being right, there is often a fall spawn season, although not as obvious as the spring spawn.
We have taken hundreds of carp the past two years. This year, we are approaching the 230 mark.
Most of these are female carp.
lf only 1% of the 4,000,000 eggs laid by a female carp survive to maturity, to spawn themselves, that is an additional 40,000 destructive carp, killing much needed oxygen providing plants.
From what we see at night time, with the boat’s bright lights penetrating the water, l hate to even think we are NOT making a dent in the carp population. But it is fun. 🙂 (Anyone need great fertilizer – email me. free! delivered! ducklakeman@aol.com
l am willing to take anyone on my boat at night time to give a first hand look at not only the carp problem, but also the muck problem… although the muck problem is much more evident even in the daytime than are the carp.
Lastly, l like to thank any and all who understand, and have accepted the fact, that we are out there at night time, bright lights and all, to help lessen the numbers of these destructive fish in OUR lake.
We have invested in the most quiet generator available, as well as reduced our bright lights lighting up the shoreline homes.
We do not mean any disrespect to anyone as we wage battle against, what seems like – an unstoppable foe.
Actually, our lake would greatly benefit if there were more willing and able to do the same.
jeff jolokai
September 4, 2017 at 9:10 am
good hunting…. thanks
August 28, 2017 at 10:34 am
Phosphorous is the controlling nutrient. Lawn care companies have for years been prohibited from using it on lakeside lawns. I had a soil test done and it showed virtually no phosphorus in my soil. Not much more folks will be willing to do.
August 28, 2017 at 10:01 am
A little bit of research will quickly identify that the root cause of the muck problem is due to high nutriment (nitrogen and phosphorus) levels in the water. These chemicals are running off the fertilized lawns around the lake, especially around the canal areas. Until some lawn care guidelines are developed and enforced the muck problem will never go away. The Lake Erie algae problem is due to the same root cause, over fertilization! Our first step should be institute a plan to control lawn fertilization. Of course, a company that installs expensive aeration systems is going to recommend their product as the only solution. We need to be more informed and more thoughtful. An excellent document developed by the State of Massachusetts can be found at :
Click to access practical-guide-no-pics.pdf
August 30, 2017 at 10:11 am
Actually, the company that is installing the aeration system is not who recommended it to us. As we discussed in the newsletter and every meeting since, the lake study we hired to be done, concluded that the aeration system would be the best solution to the problem. Yes, some people over fertilize I’m sure, but it is not he only problem. Weeds, leaves, and other organic material are a major cause as well. The lack of oxygen in the lake would prevent the muck from going anywhere even if everyone stopped fertilizing today.
August 25, 2017 at 3:42 pm
This proposed assessment is a major conflict of interest. We on Big Duck, Middle Duck and Little Duck have been having interesting conversations regarding the muck. The majority of the board members live in the canals and that is where the muck is. WHY should everyone else pay for your problem. If you had checked you water frontage you would not have purchased it. The new proposed assessment is definitely a conflict of interest on the boards part. Shame on you all. The aeration is also not going to help Big Duck. Middle Duck or Little Duck. Another conflict of interest. Adding Aqua Weed is a joke since it is already in the budget. Perhaps the local papers should be notified. Suck a waste of the majority’s money for a few people that have realized oops we made a mistake when we purchased our property.
Kathy
August 25, 2017 at 4:09 pm
I understand how you feel but I’ve been living on the lake for over 20 years and have seen the muck grow to a disgusting level. I’m in favor of the project and plan on being at the meeting. I know there are a lot of people on both sides of this but the aeration method done by this company and others has had some degree of success on other lakes. I’m thinking about the future of this lake for our kids, grandkids and also property value.
August 25, 2017 at 4:13 pm
Well put David. I could not agree more. The brown trail lines left behind moving boats in all areas of the lake are not from sand.
September 5, 2017 at 4:28 pm
Actually the light brown trails left in middle Duck near the narrows end are likely from a silty, largely mineral type bottom rather than deep black organic muck like in other areas of the lake. I will be surprised if the aeration will have as much effect in those areas because the aeration and the”beneficial bacteria/enzyme formulation” seeding targets organic muck.
September 6, 2017 at 7:27 am
Thanks for the insight.
August 25, 2017 at 4:16 pm
Sorry Kathy but you are totally wrong. first of all, we all use all of the lake. Secondly little duck is total muck. It is only 4-6 ft deep. The water quality is horrible and if 97k dollars in weed control is not used every year, it would become a swamp and so would most of middle duck, and about a 40ft perimeter around big duck. Read the study that was done. I am sure you have a lot money invested in your property. When duck lake becomes unusable, so will your property value. Or would you like all 700 residents to just tool around the middle of big duck. Read the lake study! After a few years weed control would be cut down 75% if not more. That is a lot of money yearly that would be saved for a measly 5 yr assessment. Read the study!
August 27, 2017 at 9:04 am
I have been on this lake for over 35+ years. Weed control is not the issue. We have had Aqua Weed Control for over 20+ years and they do a good job. 35 years ago Little Duck was Muck Duck and still remains so and that is why we moved to Big Duck. The aeration and special assessment is a conflict of interest. I’m sure you are on a canal also. You are wrong about Big Duck we have sand and nothing has changed for us in over 20 years. A study can show what you want so I really don’t care about that.
August 27, 2017 at 9:26 am
Wrong again! And watch out for the black helicopters.
August 30, 2017 at 10:30 am
Kathy, Dick Penigil, the owner or Aquaweed, told me himself two years ago that the muck is a huge problem in this lake and that something needed to be done about it. We spend five times the amount on weed control than other lakes of similar size. Killing the weeds just adds to the muck. It’s not a long term solution.
August 26, 2017 at 8:04 am
I agree with Dave too. I am not sure how long you have lived on the lake but I have lived here for 31 years and the muck has gotten much worse over time. I live on middle Duck in the narrows and you will sink into the muck as much as 4 feet off the end of my dock. There was a proposal around 25 years to dredge the lake as it has always needed attention. That proposal got rejected due to the high cost of getting rid of the muck. This is a relatively inexpensive solution to help with the current muck and on going maintenance. I feel the board has done a good job reviewing the best options available today as something needs to be done now to preserve the future of our wonderful lake!
August 27, 2017 at 9:05 am
Conflict of interest.
August 28, 2017 at 9:50 pm
Conflict of interest between whom? Aqua Weed and Lake Savers? Canal property owners and lake basin property owners? I’ve read both lake studies – the recent one and the one from 25 years ago. I’ve attended every board meeting and every muck remediation committee meeting. Every possible solution has been examined. Aeration systems have demonstrated significant improvement in lake ecosystems ranging from muck reduction to water clarity to fish repopulation. Please read the most recent study. Take note of the depth of the basins and canals to hard bottom versus the depth to the organic layer. In many places, the water column could be 10 to 15 feet deeper if the lake weren’t so full of previous years’ dead weeds and leaves. The board examined multiple dredging methods. One of the big cost drivers is disposing of the muck. It has to be treated as a contaminated material due to the high concentrations of copper that have built up from years and years of weed killing. Wouldn’t it be better to find another way to deal with the weeds rather than to continue to add more toxins to lake? If the muck is reduced, then the weeds don’t have a place to grow and nutrients on which to feed. Fewer weeds means fewer chemicals and that’s good for everyone.
August 30, 2017 at 10:24 am
Kathy, obvioulsy you have not read the latest lake study or the one from 2001. If you had, you’d see the growth of the muck over the time period. One can conclude that it will continue to grow and eventually kill the lake. And shame on us for trying to save the lake? Shame on you for not attending the meetings, reading the studies or at least the meeting minutes, and trying to spread unsubstantiated rumors. The system will have to be installed into the entire lake and will benefit the entire lake. If it was just installed in the canals, the muck would just move around and the DEQ would not allow that. Of course, you would know this if you were to become more involved. So please, find out the facts before posting anymore. Thanks.
August 30, 2017 at 10:27 am
Oh and btw, of those of us who VOLUNTEER our time to sit on this board or on the muck committee, there are representatives from both the canals and the main lake.
August 30, 2017 at 3:38 pm
reading Kathy Kains’ statements makes me appreciate my wife even more. I chose wisely when I married my wife. My wife reads the info available and attends the related meetings on a subject before she draws a conclusion.
I have read the material, attended the related meetings, and I endorse the muck plan.
To the board & muck committee, don’t let one person upset you or all the good work that you have done.
p/s I live on middle duck and the info available states that I will also benefit. The annual increase in taxes is chump change compared to what people drop on a one week vacation.
August 25, 2017 at 3:29 pm
I was told by a lake resident that the board president told her we need all of the pro muck removal people to show up at the Sept 11 meeting and vote. I wasn’t quite following what she was told. Can the board please clarify? Also, I still haven’t found my green pelican kayak that went missing a few days ago. If you notice a neighbor or someone who came across one please have them contact the board. Thanks.
August 25, 2017 at 3:43 pm
You must livee on a canal.
August 23, 2017 at 7:22 pm
I’m curious as to whether the lake is at its legal summer level and am wondering at what point will it be lowered to its winter level (so I can coordinate taking my boat out before then)?
Thank you
August 24, 2017 at 9:12 am
Yesterday the lake was about an inch and a quarter below the normal summer legal level. There have been some problems with the pump. I would suggest taking your boat out mid-October if your lift is very susceptible to low water levels. Historically the county often won’t pull the boards until the end of October or early in November. The association had a discussion on this item and seemed to agree that if the county started pulling boards mid-October with the goal of hitting the winter level (6″ below summer level) by November 1, it would give folks a chance to clean leaves from the edge of the lake before GLC stops picking up yard waste at the end of November. This would help minimize nutrient loading on Duck Lake. I would be happy to hear your concerns here or email me at cj7ole@comcast.net.
August 24, 2017 at 9:25 am
What problems are happening with the pump? I believe we had problems with the pump last year as well if i’m not mistaken. Just curiosity.
August 24, 2017 at 9:51 am
I understand it was pumping sand so they shut it down. Sounds like a problem with the well itself and not the pump. I have an inquiry into the county for an update. Last year’s work involved the pump itself, not the well.
August 24, 2017 at 9:53 am
Oh gosh. Can’t catch a break.
August 28, 2017 at 2:00 pm
Thanks for the reply Ole, any update on the well problem and is the pump running now?
September 5, 2017 at 4:34 pm
No the pump is not running now. The county’s well contractor is scheduled to come out this week and pull the motor and pump to inspect the well and screens via a TV camera to determine the problem. The motor which was getting noisy will be sent in for testing, which could take 8-12 weeks. So it is unlikely the well will be running anymore this season. Keep up the rain dance. Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner I have been out of town.
August 22, 2017 at 8:19 am
I discovered one of my green pelican kayaks is missing. I also was missing a yellow paddle board but I found that down the lake. They were both way up on shore so someone took them/pushed them in the water. If you know of it, please contact the association.
Thanks.
August 19, 2017 at 2:58 pm
just received a letter for a special 5 year assessment for improvements to Tomahawk Lake for their muck control approved by the Duck Lake Board…. what’s with this !
August 19, 2017 at 5:40 pm
Hi Bruce,
It appears as though there was a typo that was not caught before the letters were sent out by the WRC. The letter should have read “for the purposes of installing and maintaining a lake-wide aeration system and implementing an Aquatic Weed Control Program for years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 for the improvement of DUCK LAKE”. Not, Tomahawk lake as it reads. To be honest I am not quite sure where Tomahawk Lake even is. I am going to address this with WRC on Monday to see if they can correct this issue.
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
August 22, 2017 at 10:40 am
I just wanted to give a quick update. After speaking with the WRC they have corrected the letter and will be sending out a revised letter today or tomorrow. Please keep an eye out for this in your mailbox.
August 16, 2017 at 2:06 pm
Can I please get a .PDF of the Duck Lake muck remediation may as described in the July meeting minutes?
August 16, 2017 at 6:50 pm
Hi Bill, find a copy here, https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B–_AhcXQ8Z5SjRlUzM0dVBTSkk
August 17, 2017 at 8:10 am
Thank-you, excellent report!
July 6, 2017 at 8:38 pm
Hank made a good point. I asked for minutes or an update on this matter. I received it a few weeks ago. It was in the minutes of a meeting that I was unable to attend. Perhaps, ALL of us living in the association area could receive a blank update. I know all of the LEADERS are doing such a fine job. You have kids, jobs, and a life besides tending to viability of Duck Lake. Suggestion… a blank email for updates.
Kathy