Walleye stocking 2018
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Lake Ida Property Owner Survey Results
The Douglas County Lakes Association recently conducted a survey of Lake Ida property owners. There were 173 respondents from Lake Ida. They provided the survey results with charts and graphs. In addition, respondents were able to provide comments related to the questions.
Lake Ida Survey Results Comments from Respondents Curly Leaf Pondweed
The Ida Lake Association (ILA) has a keen interest in resolving the Curly Leaf Pondweed invasive species in Lake Ida. The results of the 2009 evaluation are below. Three large areas along the western shorelines of Lake Ida were treated in the Spring of 2018. The ILA Executive Committee contracted for another survey of the whole lake, including the sites that were treated, which was completed in June 2018 (see below). That survey helped decide on the treatment plan for 2019. While ILA paid for the survey and treatment, a grant was obtained from Douglas County Land and Resources to reimburse ILA for 75% of the $19,464 treatment cost. In addition, the cost of the survey ($1,150) will also be reimbursed, leaving ILA to cover $3,762. Treatment was done on May30, 2019, with the areas treated noted on the map. Another survey will be done in the Spring of 2020. Three consecutive years of treatment are recommended to ensure eradication.
June 2009 Lake Ida Curly Leaf Pondweed Evaluation June 2018 Lake Ida Curly Leaf Pondweed Report Walleye Stocking
Due to unavailability of the fingerlings, ILA was unable to stock walleyes in 2016 and 2017. ILA entered a 3-year verbal agreement with a new provider in 2018, committed to stocking 1,000 pounds of walleyes each year provided the fish and money are available. ILA was able to stock 1000 pounds of walleye fingerlings in the fall of 2018! In addition, the DNR stocked 875,000 fry and 11,000 yearlings (659 pounds).
Water Clarity Study
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Ditch 23
Ditch 23
Resolving the problem with drainage from Ditch 23 into Lake Ida has been a longtime issue that the ILA has been working to resolve. As a lake association, ILA cannot and does not do ditch work, so it must work with various county and local government agencies, particularly Ida Township to resolve it. Working with Douglas County Soil and Water Conservation District and other organizations, ILA has received a $230,000 grant for an engineering and feasibility study. Work done by the Township and the County will be reimbursed from the grant. Currently, ILA has budgeted $15,000 for the project. The project encompasses more than just Ditch 23; the study encompasses the whole watershed of Lake Ida. Barr Engineering has been collecting water samples to measure pollution and oxygen saturation throughout the lake, sampling soil, and surveying all culverts and drainage points. They are completing the study and will issue a preliminary report to ILA in June 2019 with plans for correcting issues found. ILA will request additional grants to allow the necessary corrections to be made. Ensuring that Ditch 23 is handled properly and corrected is vital to the health of our lake. See the article from The Voice of Alexandria that discusses the problem.
Betsy Ross Road Drainage
It's always great to have a success story. The drainage problem coming from inadequate culverts was resolved with help from Ida Township, along with ILA working with property and farm owners to work out a solution. ILA paid up-front engineering costs of $1542 to Widseth Smith Nolting and paid Ida Township $3,803 (cost of $5,345 covered by ILA of the total cost of $9,148, the balance of which was paid by Ida Township to the construction companies). The improved culvert has stopped the problem of runoff into the lake.
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Organics Recycling
About 38% of what is in the garbage is comprised of organic materials that can be diverted for composting through organics recycling. Items accepted for organics recycling are transferred to a large scale industrial composting site and turned into nutrient-rich compost. When compost is added to soil, it reduces the need for fertilizers and pesticides, and increases water retention, allowing for more efficient use of water. The compost will be used primarily by commercial landscapers, in road construction projects, and in gardens.
Household food waste, including fruit and vegetables, meat and dairy products, eggs and their shells, bread, pasta, rice, beans, nuts, shells, coffee filters and grounds, napkins, paper towels and tissues may be included in your organics composting. Only compostable paper and plastic cups, plates, bowls, utensils, and containers may be included. Look for the BPI or Cedar Grove logos when purchasing these items.
Pope Douglas Solid Waste Management's web page has additional information about the specific types of bags that may be used (NO plastic trash bags), what cannot be included, drop sites, and tips. ILA coordinated with the Ida Township to get permission for an Organics Drop Site at the Ida Township Hall. Pick-up from that site is on Mondays. Feel free to drop your organics on your way in to town! See http://popedouglasrecycle.com/index.php/household/organics-recycling-drop-sites/ for further information.
Household food waste, including fruit and vegetables, meat and dairy products, eggs and their shells, bread, pasta, rice, beans, nuts, shells, coffee filters and grounds, napkins, paper towels and tissues may be included in your organics composting. Only compostable paper and plastic cups, plates, bowls, utensils, and containers may be included. Look for the BPI or Cedar Grove logos when purchasing these items.
Pope Douglas Solid Waste Management's web page has additional information about the specific types of bags that may be used (NO plastic trash bags), what cannot be included, drop sites, and tips. ILA coordinated with the Ida Township to get permission for an Organics Drop Site at the Ida Township Hall. Pick-up from that site is on Mondays. Feel free to drop your organics on your way in to town! See http://popedouglasrecycle.com/index.php/household/organics-recycling-drop-sites/ for further information.