HAMILTON NEWS ARTICLE

By Laurie Wolfrum
The Hamilton News
Copyright 2007 The Hamilton News
Used by permission

March 20, 2007

The Hamilton Lake Association (HLA) is gearing up for the 2007 lake season and is seeking your help in several areas whether it be a monetary donation, a donation of a computer or of your time, or becoming educated about invasive aquatic plants.

With technology what it is, the HLA needs to update their computers. “We are in need of two computers that have Windows XP on them. We are hoping that someone would like to donate their old computers to this cause,” shared HLA president Bill Dillon. One computer will be used for the Website that shows a view of Hamilton Lake and the other will be used to maintain current membership information. The HLA would like to update their software at a cost of $300 - $400. Once the new software is purchased, information will need to be keyed in. Volunteers are needed to help perform this task.

Weed control is always at the top of the list of concerns for the HLA. With the lake freezing like it has this year, it helps to cut the sunlight that causes the weeds to grow. “We will not know until mid April whether it has helped or not,” informed Dillon. Last May Hamilton Lake was sprayed with Sonar (fluridone), which had been approved by the DNR. Sonar, while much more expensive, is also much more effective and expected to have a minimum of two summers without Eurasian milfoil, which is the main culprit of non-native vegetation. “We (HLA) are hoping that the residual of Sonar will pay off,” Dillon stated. The HLA committed the association to paying for weed treatment last year totaling more than $100 ,000.00 in hopes that this year would only require spot treatment in areas. “Hopefully we will not have to wait until July to have good swimming weather this year,” declared Dillon. The HLA hopes to have enough money to cover this year’s expenses that are expected to be around $30,000.00. “In a typical year, we could easily spend $60,000.00,” Dillon informed. The HLA is strictly volunteer, which always leads to a struggle to fund it. The HLA is looking into finding alternative ways to raise the funds that are always going to be needed every year to control weeds and keep the lake safe. One such example is bingo.

Finally, you can stop aquatic hitchhikers! The invasive aquatic plant, hydrilla, was discovered for the first time in Indiana last fall at Lake Manitou in Fulton County. Hydrilla typically has 5 leaves whorled around the stem although that number can range from 2 to 8. The leaves have distinctly serrated edges. Individual leaves can range from 1 to 2 centimeters. If nut-like tubers are found on the roots, the plant is definitely hydrilla and should be reported immediately to the Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator at (317) 234-3883. While the Department of Natural Resources is working to eradicate the hydrilla at Lake Manitou, they need everyone to be on the lookout for it in lakes across the state and to do our part to prevent it from spreading to new w aters. You can prevent the transportation of all nuisance species by cleaning all recreational equipment when leaving one body of water and then traveling to another.

The HLA meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Hamilton Fish & Game Club at 7 p.m. The meetings are open to the public and greatly encourage your input. If you would like to volunteer, make a donation or would like more information, contact HLA president Bill Dillon at (260) 485-0172, email wjdillon@hotmail.com, or visit the Website at www.hamiltonlake.org .