Carlin Lake Association

One more step

 

The volunteer water monitors, mentioned in the previous post, have one more responsibility on their monthly trips to the middle of Carlin Lake.  Most of you have probably seen the black and white disk on a rope--called a secchi disk--which the volunteer drops into the water.  He watches carefully for the moment when the black and white divisions become indistinguishable, and records that depth.  

This of course indicates water clarity, or how deep into the water it is possible to distinguish contrast.  Last summer the average secchi disk depth was 22 feet.   PIcture the height of two ten-foot high diving boards.  Or, if you haven't been at a swimming pool lately, try to picture three and a half men six-feet tall standing on each others' heads.   (Personally, I'm finding that a little difficult to picture, too.)

This graph shows what we all would hope to be true---that the water quality in Carlin Lake has not discernibly decreased since 1993, when records were first kept.  Note that in that first year, average secchi disk depth was 22 feet, just as it was last summer in 2010.   (Click to enlarge the graph.)

So, aren't we fortunate!  And aren't we equally determined to do all we can to keep Carlin water this clear?   Maintaining deep buffer zones and vegetation along shorelines slows run-off into the lake, inhibiting algae and plant growth.  

 

Keeping track of our lake

 

For almost 20 years---from 1993 to the present--volunteer lake monitors have been testing and reporting the water quality and clarity in Carlin Lake.   Gary and Sally Wise, Ramona and George Kubica, Carl Watras, Alex Watras, and now John Farwell have taken samples and sent them to the DNR in Madison as part of the "Wisconsin Citizen Lake Monitoring Network."

Once a month, from May to August, two water samples are taken from the same area of the lake and at approximately the same depth of 6 feet.  The monitor also records water temperature and weather conditions the day the samples are taken.

Once the monitor gets back to shore, sulphuric acid is put into the first test tube; then the lake sample is added and the tube sealed.  The second water sample is filtered through a system so any impurities will be captured on the center filter.   That filter is then folded and put into a second test tube and sealed.

Both test tubes are placed on ice and must be mailed the same day they are collected. The project center in Madison then records the data, mails the necessary containers back promptly, and prepares summary charts of long-term results.   

By collecting and comparing water data, the state is helping us maintain water quality in Carlin Lake, as well as all the lakes in Wisconsin.  

 

Public hearing in Minocqua tomorrow

 

The Legislature’s Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules will hold a public hearing on July 26, 2011 from 11am until 5pm in the Gymnasium of the Minocqua Community Center, 415 Menominee Street in Minocqua. The hearing will cover the state's shoreland zoning rules (NR115), as well as rules regarding runoff management (NR151).

The preceding paragraph is taken from a recent email from the Wisconsin Association of Lakes, of which the Carlin Lake Association is a member.    The WAL is suggesting that all of us consider attending tomorrow's meeting.  

Even more, as property-owners interested in preserving and protecting lakes in our state, we might speak in favor of retaining present policies about lake stewardship.   These policies have been arrived at through much study and cooperation, and the WAL feels it would be detrimental to have those policies changed or rescinded.   

For more specific and thorough information, please click into information page provided by the Wisconsin Association of Lakes. 

It certainly is a topic of concern for all of us, and one about which we can use more information. 

 

Looking for its home

 

Bob Rider and Pauline Samz have been offering hospitality and care to a nice black and white cat, but now would like to send it back to its real home.    Might you be looking for your pet cat?

Please ask around to friends and neighbors to see if anyone is missing their cat.   If you know anything about it, please call Pauline at 715-686-2620.

 

Oktoberfest in August

 

 

Tradition continues!

Signs around town announce that Oktoberfest at the Carlin Club is going to be back again this year.   Our long-time acquaintance Johnny Wagner and band will be performing August 5th, 6th, and 7th, and again the following weekend, Thursday thru Friday, the 11th thru the 14th.   

Signs say that music and dancing will take place that Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday too, with a band still to be announced.   Music starts at 8:00 pm each evening, except for Sundays when start-time is 7:00 pm.  

Publicity says that entrance fee is $5.00, but that the $5.00 can be used as credit for your first drink or for any food.   Sounds like a win/win to me.

Can it possibly be true, that some of us have been listening to the Johnny Wagner band across the lake for almost 30 years?   It seems to me that Roland and Chrystel started the Oktoberfest in August some of our first years at the lake, in the early '80s.

Mark your calendars.   C'mon---it's part of life at Carlin Lake!

 

Summer day

 

This beautiful summer morning at Carlin Lake makes one think that "all's right with the world."   The sun sparkles on the water, and the breeze flying the flags on piers also floats in our finally-open windows.  

On an early morning paddle, I watched an eagle soar over Stocker's bay and two loons bob at our end of the lake.  Perfect!

But, then I hear the national news on WXPR, and wonder why things can't also be "all right" in America.  Such a great day here makes me send my good thoughts all the way to Washington DC.   I wish for courage and wisdom and good will for our elected officials, that they may do their best for us "regular" Americans, just here enjoying a July day.

 

Annual meeting July 30th

 

The annual meeting of the Carlin Lake Association is coming up, as stated in our bylaws, on the last Saturday of July.  

And, as usual, our friends Warren and Mary Watkins are inviting us to meet at their "party barn" at 9:30 am on Saturday, July 30th.   (Not this weekend, but next.)   President Chuck Hayes reminds us that the business meeting will start promptly at 10:00 am, so plan to arrive at 9:30 if you want time for conversation, coffee, and a sweet snack.

If you are board member or officer, please plan to bring along a pastry or bread to share.   Warren and Mary are again supplying coffee and all the other  "fixin's" that morning.

Thanks to the Watkins for giving us a pleasant place to meet, one that's large enough for all of us.   (Watkins' home is located on the left, before you get to the Carlin Club on Carlin Club Drive.)    Please plan to join the group for our one business meeting of the year on July 30th.  

 

Inaccurate reporting

 

It turns out that I was premature---and maybe selfish--to report that John and I took credit for the rain.  :-)    I understand that lots more Carlin people, and their boats, were surprised by the heavy rain on Sunday night.   And, all of us have boat decks now a little wet and washed clear of all debris.

Another thunderstorm Monday afternoon dropped another 1/2" of rain.   It wasn't enough to stop this heat wave, but was enough to drop the thermometer for a bit.

I was wrong about something else, too.   (Hard to believe, I know!)   We had two phone calls on Sunday eve from the Vilas County emergency warning system, telling us there was a chance of a flash flood.    It made me laugh, as I couldn't imagine anyplace being low enough to get flooded.   

Well, I heard on the radio Monday morning that places south of us got lots more rain, even 4" or so around Eagle River.  Turns out the flood warning wasn't so preposterous, because Hwy 70 was closed for awhile because of high water.  

 

You're welcome!

 

John and I will accept credit for causing last night's rain storm.   Last evening, when we came up from the lake with thunder starting to rumble in the distance, we decided to not make the effort to cover the boat.    Me:  "It never rains when they predict it, anyway."

By the time we got into the house and checked, it was already raining, and the forecast said, "Severe thunderstorms."     So, our boat is nice and clean---and wet---and we're glad we helped bring about a soaking rain.  

Our rain gauge indicates about 1.2", just what Gail Speer's official measurement shows.  We sure needed the rain---have had only sprinkles so far in the month of July.  

But, the rain didn't cool down the temperatures predicted for this week.   It sounds like it is HOT all over---a good week to be living by a lake!

And more....

 

I'm having a pretty easy blog week---here, more photos from Saturday's pontoon party.    But, this will be the end, and I'll soon need new news again.   Any happenings?  Please keep letting me know.