Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Friends of Martha Lake
September 6, 2015, Mercer Senior Center

Tim Lutgen chaired the meeting, called to order at 3:15 pm.

A report was given on the status of beaver dams and water level. At the moment, the large beaver dam is mostly gone, and the water level of the lake is good.

The minutes of the July 5, 2015 meeting were posted, and were approved by those present by acclimation.

A discussion ensued concerning the status of the water testing. The water quality monitoring is ongoing, as is the clarity testing. Edna McCarthy took the water samples at several locations in the lake and Tim took them to a water quality testing laboratory. Sandra at the DNR office in Spooner said that the department would review the results at no cost. The results are expected by the end of September. The water quality testing examines the presence of phosphorous and nutrients in the water. A comprehensive test costs $155/sample. Secchi disk sampling showed clarity extending to 8’ below lake surface. This is better than the average in the Martha lake area (which is 7.4 feet), though some lakes in the area tested via secchi disk showed clarity to 10’.

Questions were raised concerning the possibility of leaking private waste disposal systems around the lake. Currently, all of the aquatic plants in the lake are natives – no invasive plant species at all. It is important for residents to wash their boats when coming to Martha Lake to avoid bringing unwanted invaders, like Eurasian milfoil and purple loostrife to the lake. All of the 45 plant species observed are natural.

Erik Krumdick noted that while snorkeling around the lake, he observed that in the North bay, something has gone wrong with the flora – where previously it was billowy soft plants offering shelter to pan fish, this year much of the weed growth is gone. Big walleye are there, but not reproducing. Small mouth and large mouth bass are present, but Northern pike are almost gone. Muskie are present and doing OK.

In addition, this year Wisconsin lakes have a record bloom of the species of algae that makes people sick, although Martha Lake has not suffered from this problem. Nonetheless, due to the heavy rain and runoff, the ecosystem isn’t in its normal state.

Max Ackerman reported for the buoy project. He examined U.S. Coast Guard buoys, and went to the Woodruff DNR office for a permit to mark the rock piles on the bottom of the lake. Permit approval must come from both the Mercer Town Board and from DNR. The application was submitted on August 24th and action is expected soon. By next Spring,, Max expects that buoys can be installed. Buoy costs vary from$114/buoy + shipping to $300 for a pair, depending upon size.

The Martha Lake fund stands at $225 currently. The fund will need additional contributions shortly.

Todd Emro met with a retired DNR fisheries biologist in Park Falls who will work with the group on the Fisheries project. In order to evaluate the fishery in Martha Lake, the biologist would shock the lake at a non-lethal level to survey the population of different fish species. Currently, there is one fish crib in the lake, and adding additional cribs would help. The bluegill population is greatly reduced by the lack of vegetative cover or cribs. There are no otters on Martha Lake this year.

Until the study is completed next Spring, it is premature to raise money for the fishery restoration. Once the survey is complete, will need an action plan describing what and when to stock, and why. This will require funding of $150 – 200 per landowner to complete the study, and more if a stocking program is implemented. Leo Sabec commented that $200 wouldn’t hurt any of the lakefront property owners.

Discussion ensued on whether to create a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the environmental quality of Martha Lake. Larry Bechler will report back to Tim on the feasibility of qualifying as a 501(c)(3) organization. The plan is that if the group decides to move in that direction, fund-raising will be deferred.

Tina Krumdick suggested working on a lake owners directory, with contact information for all of the owners around the lake. Joe Lambert indicated that the last list of owners dated back to the 1990s.

Joe also reported that the lake is entirely spring-fed, except for one storm water culvert coming in from a swamp on the south side of the lake. There is a nutrient load from lawns around the lake, as well as from the culvert that drains a corn field. There must also be re-examination of the beaver dams, since beavers typically work a site for 7-8 years.

Tim discussed the timing for future meetings. For sure, a meeting will be held Memorial Day weekend, but another meeting may be held on a Sunday in October if the water testing provides a need for further discussion sooner than the Spring.

Meeting adjourned at 4:15 pm.
Submitted by Larry Bechler