1. With our on-again off-again winter, it’s uncertain when the Lake will develop "safe" ice. As such, this is a good time to remind winter lake users (and particularly children) about the need to exercise particular care and caution when venturing out on the ice when it does form. On the following page is some information on General Ice Thickness Guidelines. The MPOA website (wlmpoa.org) also has a video posted on how someone falling through the ice can perform a "self-rescue". https://youtu.be/QKpAzvXSldA

1. The annual inspection of the Wonder Lake Dam and Sediment Drying Facility required by the State of Illinois is scheduled for Friday, October 14th, 2022.

2. As always, with autumn approaching, Wonder Lake landowners with lakefront or streamfront properties are strongly encouraged to NOT rake their leaves into the water, as this can create a significant nutrient load, fueling future algae blooms. Please consider composting raked leaves or utilizing available landscape waste disposal services.

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   1. The MPOA contractor has completed the concrete repairs to the vertical wingwalls of the Wonder Lake dam spillway. These repairs to fix deteriorating (spalling) concrete surfaces were required based on an inspection by the MPOA structural engineer. This repair work required the installation of temporary work platforms below the spillway to allow access for repairs, which have since been removed.
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1. The MPOA has received the report from the MPOA structural engineer detailing their recommendations on the location and extent of needed surface concrete repairs on the vertical sidewalls of the dam spillway. Interestingly, while most of the wingwall surface on the east side of the spillway has significantly deteriorated and needs extensive repair, the west wingwall surface only needs some spot repairs.

1. We are still waiting for the MPOA structural engineer to produce their report and recommendations on the location and extent of needed concrete repairs on the vertical sidewalls.

2. We are still waiting for the Village of Wonder Lake permit for the Merchant Creek footbridge.

3. Preliminary discussions continue with a soil vendor who has expressed an interest in buying the dried sediment from the lake dredging project.

4. A request for proposal to conduct our annual state required inspections of the dam and Sediment Drying Facility this fall has been sent out.

1. As part of the on-going repairs to the Wonder Lake Dam spillway, the MPOA structural engineer conducted an examination to determine the location and extent of needed concrete repairs on the vertical sidewalls. Temporarya scaffolding was installed to allow for this inspection, as well as to facilitate the actual repair work. Coordination is now taking place between the concrete contractor and the project structural engineer on the type of concrete material to be used for the spillway wingwall patching.

1. Based on the detailed inspection report conducted by the MPOA consulting engineers last fall, repairs have begun on the Wonder Lake spillway and the wingwalls on either side of the spillway. Concrete patching on the interior of the spillway has been completed, and eyebolts have been installed to allow a safety cable to be installed along the interior walkway. Coordination is now taking place between the concrete contractor and the project structural engineer on the extent of spillway wingwall patching required.

1. For the past few years, the MPOA has worked with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, U.S Department of Agriculture, and US Fish & Wildlife Service to conduct “legal” harassment of Cormorant’s, as well as to allow an annual “lethal harvest” of up to ten (10) Cormorants, particularly at those island locations where they congregate to roost. The establishment of roosts result in large amounts of “droppings”, that can over time kill off desirable species of trees and vegetation, such as the Oak trees on Strom Island, where native plant restoration work has been impacted.

1. So far this late winter, Wonder Lake ice (or the lack of enough of it) has bagged a snowmobile, an ATV, and an iceboat. In addition, the SUV of an ice fisherman was also spotted parked on the ice, which apparently resulted in a variety of comments on the Wonder Lake Neighbors Facebook page, as well as a photograph of the offending vehicle with its license plate prominently displayed. As a result, the offender was issued a $250 citation by the Wonder Lake Police Department.

1. The Illinois Lake Management Association (ILMA) and Illinois Chapter of the American Fisheries Society (AFS) are hosting a joint Annual Conference at the I Hotel & Conference Center in Champaign, Illinois from March 16th through March 19th, 2022. Info at ILMA-Lakes.org

2. Permit applications for the Merchant Creek footbridge have been submitted. This timeframe should hopefully allow construction by next spring / early summer.