Hudson Lake Conservation Association – March 2024 Update

Happy Daylight Savings Time! Happy St Patrick’s Day! Happy Spring!

There’s a lot to share in this update! Here are the covered topics:

- Awarded LARE Grants

- Lake Levels & Drain Management

- Indiana Eclipse April 8th

- Sewer Project

- Volunteer!

- Merchandise Available on Website

- Membership Dues Reminder

Awarded LARE Grants

The Hudson Lake Conservation Association applied to the Lake and River Enhancement Program (LARE) for funds to complete our annual Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan (AVMP) plan and invasive species treatments. $19,000 was awarded for these efforts. Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) and Starry stonewort (SSW) invasive species will be treated per the data collected from the AVMP study. $4,750, which represents 20% of matching funds, will need to be collected in the form of dues and donations to utilize the grant funds.

For sediment removal, the association was awarded LARE grants of $120,000 in 2023 and an additional $100,000 in 2024.These funds are designated for navigation areas around the public boat ramp and the southern channel between little Hudson and Hudson Lake. The challenge now is to raise a minimum of $55,000 (20% matching funds) to utilize the entire $220,000. However, the full completion of the 2 projects would require an additional $50-60,000.

The costs to spread these projects over multiple years are prohibitive as it would require an additional $20,000 or more for mobilization and demobilization of equipment. The goal is to do both projects completely in the same year and collect all funds needed to accomplish that. Efforts to engage the community and businesses will be vital.

Not too far away from Hudson Lake to the southeast lies Cedar Lake. That community is executing a $5,000,000 project to remove sediment from their entire lake. They have been working on this effort for years and are now actively removing sediment from the bulk of their lakebed. They have a larger community, and the town was able to secure monies to move forward.

Just like invasive species can clog and starve a lake, so can ages of unchecked sediment levels. It is time to give overdue attention to Hudson Lake.

Lake Levels and Drain Management

Lake Levels are recorded on the HLCA website. Average, high, low levels are noted on our graph. NOAA precipitation and temperature levels are also noted. Please visit our site for more information. As of March 17, 2024, the lake level was around 13 1/2 inches above the weir. No incidents have been reported.

Within the next couple of weeks, we will be doing another set of measurements to ensure lake level measurement accuracy. ToltHawk recording, manual site measurement and LaPorte County surveyor measurements will be taken and compared. Results will be posted on the HLCA website. Last year all measurements were within a half of an inch.

The Drain Management Agreement is still in the works. Competing efforts have delayed us a little.

Indiana Eclipse April 8th

A total eclipse will be visible across Indiana! On the afternoon of April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse – the first since the Great American Eclipse in 2017 and the last until August 2044 – will arc across the southern half of Indiana from southwest to northeast. You can go to the DNR site below and find out where and when to view the eclipse. Get your eclipse viewing glasses ready!

https://www.in.gov/dnr/places-to-go/events/2024-solar-eclipse/

Sewer Project

On January 29th the LaPorte County Commissioners approved $1.5M from the ARPA funds for the Hudson/Saugany sewer project.

Volunteer!

As you can see, HLCA is quite active and welcomes the community to get involved. We are seeking board members and project leads. It takes a village to keep a lake safe, healthy, and enjoyable. Please sign up on our website or send us an email: info@hlcaindiana.com.

Merchandise Available on Website

We have some fun Hudson Lake merchandise for you! Travel mugs, coffee mugs, hoodies, hats and t-shirts. My grandson loves his hoodie! He told me it is his favorite and wears it to school every day. Check it out!

Membership Dues Reminder

As you have seen here the 2024 outlook for HLCA is quite busy as we have significant efforts planned. Our HLCA membership drive is in progress. Use the QR Code below to pay your dues or donate!

A huge thank you to those who have sent in dues and donations!

We invite the rest of you to join in and help us keep Hudson Lake healthy and thriving.

As previously shared HLCA budget spikes in 2024 due to matching funds needed for the sediment removal; over $100,000. Thecommunity can only do so much so we will focus heavily on outside entities tofill our gaps. Any amount you can give towards these important endeavors is appreciated.

Enjoy rain clouds over Hudson Lake below…