SAVE GRINDSTONE LAKE!!
To our fellow Grindstone Lake homeowners from Steve and Judy Seidmeyer.
We are writing to request your critical assistance in saving our precious lake by ceasing all lawn chemical applications.
Over the past 70 years we have observed our lake quality decline and decline and decline. When we were first introduced to this beautiful lake, the water was crystal clear, and there were virtually no weeds. As residences were built, pollution began. First the problem was one of sewage by residences pumping their waste directly into the water. Then the DNR decided that to save the shore, we should all put large boulders and rocks on the shore and that became their standard recommendation. And, culverts were installed to drain wetlands around the lake.
In addition to rock retaining walls, we continued the gentrification of the lake properties, and most residents started to pursue “country club” lawns by fertilizing and weed killing, as well as removing critical trees and shrubs along the shoreline. Further complicating the pollution problem, farm lands around the lake are now being leased out for crops that are being chemically altered for maximum production. Finally, in an effort to control road dust at the north end of the lake, calcium chloride has been applied to the road
The problem is simple to define: All of these sources of pollution and removal of filtering foliage has led to such massive introduction of chemicals and biologicals into the lake that it simply cannot handle it. We now have weeds, and even algae, including a deadly bloom of toxic blue algae.
While there may be no real “solution” to all of these issues, there is a LOT that the approximately 120 residences can do to slow this damage—if we all agree that the lake itself is the reason we all live here and it has to be our highest priority.
The top four actions that are critical are:
Stop removing trees and shrubs along the shoreline, or anywhere within several hundred feet of the lake. We need filters.
Do not install rip rap, or if you already have it, plant water friendly flowers and shrubs among the rocks. Rocks do not absorb anything, and large wave action is eating out the ground under the rocks. Plant flowers and shrubs along the shore. Old fashioned Day Lilies grow in even the most hostile environments, and they spread. Their root structures help to filter effluents.
STOP FERTILIZING AND WEED KILLING! Every time you apply those chemicals, they flow directly into the lake and stimulate further weed and algae growth in the lake. Rethink your landscaping to be natural.
Get your septic tanks regularly pumped to avoid saturation of the ground and flow into the lake. And, stop using any phosphorus or chloride containing chemicals, including not only the road applications, but also the use of detergents that contain phosphorus.
We all know what happens when chemicals and biologicals are not stopped. Look at Lake Pokegama.
We recognize that this is not always a simple request, but we are the only ones who can reverse this destruction of the lake. And, there are additional benefits: You don’t need to buy fertilizers or weed killers, and you can enhance the beauty of the shoreline and your whole property! Please help us SAVE GRINDSTONE LAKE!!