HLCA’s annual public meeting FOR 2023
Updates on subsequent activities and the Public Meeting held on October 5th, 2023, 6 PM CST at Monroe’s Crossing.
HLCA President Kevin Smith welcomed all to HLCA’s annual public meeting. He introduced himself and the rest of the HLCA Board members:
Steve Varela (not in attendance)
Georgette Joyce
Jim Dondlinger
Georgette Joyce shared updates on the new Hudson Lake Conservation Association (HLCA) website. On the tables were handouts with scannable QR Codes that directed users to the new website: HLCAIndiana.com. The Hudson Lake Best Memories Photo Contest closed on September 30th and winning photos and other entries were noted to be on display for attendees to view. The site is rich with data on Hudson Lake’s history, News and Events, Projects, current and YTD lake level information as well as a link to the ToltHawk water level measuring device which records levels 24x7.
Current information on the lake level shared:
Oct 4th, 3:15 pm – 1.8” above the weir
Oct 5th, 2:45 am – 2.4” above the weir
Oct 5th, 8:30 am – 3.24” above the weir
Oct 5th, 3:00 pm – 3.96” above the weir – thus the lake went up 2.16” in a 24-hour period with the constant rainfall experienced. It's still a low level for the lake.
The site hosts HLCA branded merchandise for purchase – mugs, hoodies, T-shirts, etc. The site has resources – links to sites such as JPR’s sewer information, static files as drain information, the May 5th DNR presentation on the history of the formation of Hudson Lake, etc. The desire is for the HLCA website to become the Hudson Lake go-to site.
Juston Blotkamp from Aquatic Weed Control (AWC) shared handouts that showed the most recent findings for invasive species and provided a survey for attendees to fill out. He covered information on the Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program which supports and annual production of an Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan (AVMP) as well as grants to treat invasive species. He shared the process of visual and rake collections performed before and after treatments. The only 2 invasive species being treated today are Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) and Starry stonewort (SSW). If left untreated, both invasive plants can starve and destroy a lake. Over the years the treated acres of EWM have significantly decreased for 2 reasons. One is that the treatments over the years have successfully killed off EWM and two is that the newer EWM treatments over the last year have experienced better outcomes. SSW treatment is focused on areas in little Hudson where public ramp and other lake traffic create more danger to its spreading.
Discussions followed regarding the safety of native plants, the application process, and timing of when a cabbage-like native plant disappeared on the east end of Hudson Lake some 7 years ago – noted by a regular scuba diver in that area. AWC was not our provider at that time and was unable to comment on that. A closed meeting between DNR and HLCA was held on October 11th and plans for 2024 were reviewed. Similar 2023 treatments will be pursued – applying for annual grants as in the past.
Georgette Joyce shared information on the Hudson Lake Drain management project. The DNR had sent the Drain Management agreement and HLCA was reviewing it. A subsequent meeting on October 23rd was held and the agreement will be moving forward – refining it to meet DNR, HLCA and Hudson Lake Community needs. In the meantime, permission was sought and granted by the LaPorte Drainage Board surveyor office as well as the DNR to service the drain valve (same as what was done in September 2022), as well as clear and secure the drain outlet gate. Property owners will or have been notified. Georgette continues to attend monthly La Porte drainage board meetings.
Kevin Smith shared information on the sediment removal project. The 2021 study on this effort was completed with a grant and is posted on the HLCA website. Attendees were encouraged to go to the site for detailed information. There were 7 sites noted in the study, though some of them may not be grant-eligible. The budget to do all sites is around $500,000 which would leave HLCA securing at least 20% of that - $100,000. This money would be secured through donations from residents benefiting from the effort as well as donations from larger companies around Hudson Lake, New Carlisle, and other neighboring areas. All seven of the approved sediment removal companies have been asked to bid on the entire project. It is their busy season so bids will come in late 2023. We will apply for grants early January and shoot for fall 2024 for sediment removal to be done. The desire is to have all work completed at the same time to save on mobilization costs, which can be $20,000 for set up and take down.
Georgette Joyce covered other projects. These included educational and academia focused efforts. Georgette had attended Hoosier Riverwatch basic training as well as an E. coli half day session on October 2nd and 3rd. There is plenty to do related to these areas, but they need project managers. HLCA has had the benefit of some great talent in helping to build the HLCA website, work on the photo contest, securing and installing the ToltHawk, and drain servicing. There are a lot more projects that can be tackled with more help from the community. Other projects include fundraising and building relationships with local & state officials. Visit the website to see other efforts.
On behalf of Trustee Brian Gray, Roger Teska reported on Hudson Township projects and activities, including the erection of a flagpole in the cemetery. There are monthly meetings that everyone is invited to attend. The township has a Facebook page where other activities can be seen as the playground equipment project, new beach sand, trash cans and port-a-potty, etc.
The meeting was adjourned.
