Hidden Lake News
CONNECTICUT FEDERATION OF LAKES
The
Association joined this group in the 1990’s and many board, committee members
and volunteers have attended the numerous lectures and information conferences
put on by them contributing greatly to our knowledge base and awareness of our
wonderful lake front community. They found we are fortunate. Our water quality
is high and our problems are minor relative to the horror stories we heard from
other Federation members living on foreign weed infested, polluted, and abused
waterways. The next meeting of the Connecticut Federation of Lakes will be
September 17, 2010 in Jewett City. You can learn more about the speakers and
topics at
www.ctlakes.org.
SEPTIC TANK PUMPING
The Association is
entering its 14th year of providing free septic pump out for all residents. The
contract is put out to bid to insure we receive a competitive price. Our current
contractor is Cahill Septic Service. Our septic pump out program is the Hidden
Lake Associations most successful initiative to ensure the quality of our lake
and we constantly receive praise for it at Lake Federation meetings by being
amongst the very first to do so. Every tank in the Association is subject to
mandatory cleaning every 4 years Any needed repairs are noted then and are the
responsibility of the homeowner.
WATER TESTING
Our bylaws require us
to test the lake twice a year. The samples are taken by a volunteer and brought
to a State of Connecticut Licensed and approved facility.
WEED CONTROL
Our bylaws
require us to lower the lake level every even numbered year. The Board has voted
to begin lowering the lake on October 30th this year. We learned from the
Federation of Lakes that leaving the lake down for the winter will freeze out
many weeds. Our lily pad population is reduced when we do this. We have hired
Lycott For the past two years to help control vegetation. Last year they
targeted the yellow lily pads. This year they targeted the submerged vegetation.
They will be reviewing the late summer situation this year to determine the next
step for summer 2011.
TREE STUMPS
Hidden Lake
was constructed many years ago to create a cranberry bog and became a lake
community instead. The tree stumps were left where they were and the lake is
littered with them. The membership voted to remove as many as possible in the
coves to open the lake to more recreational possibilities. We learned our
recycling center didn’t want the stumps unless they were dried taking years and
we had nowhere to put them. The west Cove was cleared by burying them and a
portion of the South Cove was handled until extreme mud stopped progress there.
There has been no further attempt to clear any more. Residual stumps and plants
provide enough structure for our fish and other aquatic life.
BEACHES
We learned from the
lake study that using sand to the beaches added nutrients to the water and
should not be done. We erected pole barriers to prevent the erosion of sand into
the lake and embarked upon maintaining what we have, adding sand rarely.
Residents are asked to volunteer to keep the beach areas clean. Also, take home
what you bring to the beach.
DAM REPAIR
See the
minutes of the meetings for the latest news on the dam.
ROAD AND DRAINAGE
See the
minutes of the meetings for the latest news on the Shore Drive drainage project
which is in progress.
VOLUNTEER TO HELP
This is our community. Volunteer to help maintain and improve the Hidden Lake area. By staying informed, you can contribute locally and make a difference.
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