Geese Challenges

Now that the ice is off the lake it is that time of year where geese are looking to nest.  As in previous years we need to do everything possible to keep the geese from overrunning our lake like they do with other nearby waterbodies like Columbia Lake or Silver Lake.  With the water quality issues we have already been facing, the increased e-coli and fecal coliform counts from a large number of geese on the lake could quite likely render the lake unfit for swimming or recreational use this summer, not to mention the impacts for those who draw tap water from the lake.

There are also a couple of very persistent Mallard ducks that have been trying to nest on the lake which could also contribute significantly to poor water quality and parasites that cause ear infections – particularly in children if they are successful at nesting and hatching their young ducks here.

We encourage you to try to scare the geese and ducks and be threatening anytime that you see them.  The Lake Association has several remote control boats and there is a spare boat available if you or anyone in your family is interested in helping with it this summer.  Everyone is also encouraged to keep their shoreline as natural as possible as tall grasses help to deter the geese and thanks to Dave Hudspeth who has reactivated the flashing orange night lights in the middle of the lake which seem to be helpful at discouraging geese at night.