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MARCH 1999
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
I have written these messages now for over two years and this particular one gives me a great deal of pleasure. Some times it is hard to express the pride one feels for an organization. As many of you know volunteering can and often does take a great deal of time and energy and once in a while you are able to say it was worth it. My pride comes from the way that the organization members and their families and friends were willing to help the University of Michigan Biological Camp in their quest to purchase Camp Knight. We look forward to and hope that the sale will be completed successfully in the near future. What I am so pleased about now is the response that the members of our organization have shown. On average for a fund raising venture, participation by one third of the membership is considered good. Our group had approximately 95% of the member homes on the lake represented by pledges. In total over 288 pledges were received from those who were willing to reach into their hearts and pockets. The pride that I take and the high that I receive just by being part of a group of people that embrace a mutual cause with such enthusiasm is wonderful.
This is also a good time for me to thank those of you who sent me notes. I appreciated and enjoyed receiving them. Each note contained the deep feeling and commitment that Douglas Lakers have for our lake. I will be sharing these notes with our executive board at the next meeting and with the authors permission I would like to print parts of these notes in a future newsletter.
Dr. Teeri keeps me informed as any new developments occur regarding the purchase of Camp Knight. The process is taking longer than hoped for but as of last week it is continuing. Just as soon as the final word is in I’ll let you know by mail. It will also be posted on our Web Site for those of you who have access to the Internet.
We have a few new offerings and happenings for this coming summer. New sailboat races, new merchandise, and new area codes to mention a few. These and others are discussed in following articles. As usual if you have any concerns or comments please let me hear from you.
A Happy St. Patrick’s Day to ye and wouldn’t it indeed be nice if the luck of the Irish (oops wrong university) brought to a happy ending the purchase of Camp Knight by the U of M
NEW AREA CODE
Effective June 5, 1999 Douglas Lake will have a new area code. The new area code will be 231. This is designed to provide relief for the 616 area code. Area 231 has been assigned to the northwestern portion of Michigan’s lower Peninsula. The area code division is roughly along the northern boundaries of Ottawa, Kent and Ionia counties. Cities including Traverse City, Muskegon, Petoskey, Levering and Cheboygan will switch to the new 231 area code.
ANNUAL
MEETING
The 30th annual meeting of the Douglas Lake Improvement Association was held on August 12, 1998 at the University of Michigan Biological Station. Barbara Wilkinson, President called the meeting to order and welcomed members and guests. She reported that there were 57 members present which constituted a quorum.
Old Business
The minutes were read by Secretary, Joann Hiles. The financial report was given by Treasurer, Carma Case.
Treasure’s Report Aug. 10, 1998
Balance as of Jan. 1, 1998 $3571.00
RECEIPTS
Membership 4125.10
Merchandise 15548.00
Barbecue 1595.00
Directory 1061.00
From Savings 2000.00
24329.10 27900.10
DISBURSEMENTS
Newsletter 435.36
Postage 711.05
Merchandise 13855.08
Insurance 311.00
Donations 700.00
Barbecue 4606.08
20616.57 7283.53
ASSETS
Checking Account 7283.53
Savings Account 5280.86
Certificate of Deposit 6962.05
Merchandise at Cost 3875.50
Pump & Trailer 1250.00
Oxygen Meter 250.00
TOTAL ASSETS $ 24901.94
Barbara Wilkinson gave the President’s message stressing that the greatest accomplishment of the past year was when all the work on the by-laws came to fruition and the membership passed the revision. Proposal 1 passed with 145 members voting for, 2 against and 2 abstaining. Proposal 2 passed with 140 members voting for, 4 against and 1 abstaining. A total of 149 paid members voted for Proposal 1 and total of 145 paid members voted for proposal 2. The most fun segment of the years work was the Barbecue as everyone enjoyed themselves, the food as prepared by Hoot and crew was wonderful and the membership turn out was way beyond expectations with 300 people attending.
Barb also listed the following accomplishments. 1. Loon nesting apparatuses were placed on the lake. 2. Newsletters were sent to members. 3. A list of rentals is available. 4. Beth Reynolds has done a wonderful job of providing quality merchandise featuring our lake name and in some cases even an outline of the lake 5. Mark Paddock has headed a dedicated group for the Adopt Highway program. In case you have missed it we have a section of Highway 31 between Levering and
Pellston. 6. Our directory is in process and will include e-mail addresses. 7. We try to present information to the membership in various ways. One way is by having a speaker. The guest speaker, Chuck Cole of West Marina in Petoskey, demonstrated various new flotation devises. 8. Membership input is important and in response to the questionnaire we are now addressing Light Pollution and Fishing Concerns. In keeping with the philosophy that education is the realistic way for our organization to reduce problem areas we try to find ways to address these and other issues. 9. We subsidize the Judson Pike Marsh and we contribute to Tip of the Mitt and Little Traverse Conservancy. 10. Pursuant to last year’s annual meeting we created a loon sticker.
Mark Paddock responded to a question regarding loons on the lake by stating that we did not have a successful year. Three eggs were found abandoned in a nest. It was speculated that perhaps the eagles chased the parent birds away however, that seemed unlikely.
Wendell Judson reported that it was a very good year for the Pike Marsh.
New Business
Barbara reported that the Executive Board has two regular meetings per year – one in September and the other in May. However, for the last two years the Board has had a special meeting a few days prior to the Annual meeting so that the zone representatives can bring to the Board anything of concern in their particular zone.
This year the Board was informed that a parcel of land in north Fishtail bay was going on the market. It comprised 1000 feet of lakefront plus adjoining land and was owned by the Methodist Children’s Society. An Endorsement was written by the Board stating “The Executive Board of the DLIA recommends that the membership of the DLIA endorse acquisition of the Knight Methodist Camp property in North Fishtail Bay by the U of M Biological Station. The membership heartily supports the acquisition by the Biological Station and will do all in its power to support the acquisition including ENCOURAGING financial support by individual members of the association.
A motion was made to accept this endorsement, it was seconded and carried by the Association.
The nominating committee presented the slate of candidates. For President - Barbara Wilkinson , for Vice President – Linda Farmer and for Secretary, Katie
Haensel. Carma Case has one year left of her term as Treasurer. There were no nominations from the floor. It was moved that the nominations be accepted by acclamation. This was done.
A drawing for door prizes was held and after closing remarks the meeting was adjourned.
Douglas Lake: Its Origin,
Features and Watershed
By Mark Paddock
Douglas Lake with a surface area of 3,773 acres is a medium-sized inland lake. It has a mean elevation of 712 feet above sea level, or 120 feet above Burt Lake into which it's water drains and 134 feet above Lake Huron, into which Burt Lake drains through Indian River, Mullett Lake and the Cheboygan River.
Douglas Lake was formed by the last continental glacier, which covered the region during the Pleistocene geological period about 12,000 years ago. When the ice melted and the glacier retreated northward about 10,000 years ago, it left behind 7 huge blocks of ice. When these ice blocks melted, the resulting seven depressions filled with water, forming what we know as Douglas Lake. Each of these seven distinct depressions exceeds 50 feet in water depth. The deepest point in the lake of 89 feet exists in the western portion of the lake about one-half mile northwest of the northern tip of Pells Island. But four other depressions approach 80 feet in depth including two in Fishtail Bay and two others in the center of the lake.
Douglas Lake did not exist as a separate body of water immediately after the glacier retreated. This entire Great Lakes region with the exception of a few higher hills which were islands, was covered with an enormous lake, named Lake Algonquin by glacial geologists. This lake was formed soon after the glacier retreated northward. It is fascinating to learn that the incredible weight of the continental glacier ice, up to 3000 feet thick over Michigan, caused the earth’s crust to become depressed many hundreds of feet, especially in northern Michigan. It was into this general depression, plus huge deeper depressions created by the erosive forces of the glacier, that water accumulated during the Lake Algonquin period. Later on as the earth's crust slowly rebounded, and the continental glacier retreated further north, a series of huge regional lakes occurred (a complex process lasting over 9000 years). Finally, water filled only the depressions we know today as the Great Lakes. Douglas Lake became a separate inland lake about 4000 years ago, sooner than those lakes still connected to the Great Lakes system such as Mullet, Black, Burt,
Charlovoix, Torch etc.
Excluding the lake itself, Douglas Lake's watershed (the area from which all surface water drains into Douglas Lake) encompasses about 10,300 acres. It is located mostly to the north and west of Douglas Lake and contains several smaller lakes including Munro, Lancaster and Vincent. It also contains the village of Levering and extensive farmlands almost to the Hamlet of Bliss. The only sizable stream flowing into Douglas Lake, Bessey Creek, drains the Lancaster and Munro Lake areas. Much water also flows in Douglas Lake from a number of small streams that flow very heavily for several weeks just after spring ice melt, primarily from wetlands to the northwest. Ground water also is a major contributor into Douglas Lake. Numerous springs are found under the surface of the lake water, especially along the north and west portion of the lake basins.
The only surface outlet of Douglas Lake is the East Branch of the Maple River, which originates at the west shore of Maple Bay and flows generally south into the West Side of Burt Lake. It is joined by a larger branch from the west before reaching Burt Lake. Flow is heavy in April and May, but slows as the level of Douglas Lake drops, usually by mid-July relatively little water drains from Douglas Lake via the Maple River. On an annual basis most of the lake water drains out underground and emerges as scores of springs in numerous deep gorges about one-half mile south of South Fishtail Bay. This area is locally known as "High Springs" or "The Gorge" by the University of Michigan Biological Station which owns the site. The many springs gradually coalesce into one sizable cold, clear stream called "Little Carp Creek" which flows one mile south into Burt Lake. The flow rate of this stream being almost entirely spring fed is remarkably stable at about 15 cubic feet per second (112 gallons) !
Physical Features
Lake area 3783 acres
Watershed area 14125 acres
(including lake surfaces)
Shoreline length 15.6 miles *
Maximum length 3.8 miles
Maximum width 2.3 miles
Maximum depth 89 feet
Mean depth 18 feet
Elevation 712 feet
Water retention time 3 years (Lake Water is displaced externally once every 3 years)
Average annual surface fluctuation
* The University of Michigan owns and protects about 6.3 miles of shoreline and 10,000 acres around and near the lake for research and teaching. This insures that about 40% of the lakeshore will not be commercially developed.
THANK YOU NOTE
Dear Friends at the Douglas
Lake Improvement Assoc.,
Thank you for your generous support of the
Watershed Council’s work to protect northern Michigan’s water resources. Your membership is a sound investment for the future health of our lakes, streams, ground water and wetlands. Our community and future generations benefit from your contribution. Thank you.
Kristina Clark
Membership Coordinator
WEB SITE
The Douglas Lake
Improvement Association now has a web site. Nat Wilkinson has set up the web site and will be updating it as necessary. So turn on your
computer, log on to your server
and access http://home.earthlink.net/~cdataserv/dlia/ Please note that for any comments or information that you wish to pass on you need to
e-mail Nat at douglaslakeia@hotmail.com If you encounter any glitches accessing the site please let Nat know.
WE WILL MISS
Frederick Test has informed us that his wife Avery passed away August 7, 1998. Avery and Frederick spent 21 summers at the Biological Station between 1951 and 1973. Enjoying the area as they did they built a house and since 1979 have commuted from North Carolina for the summer. We extend our deepest condolences.
We are also offering condolences to the Robert McClouth family. His sudden passing was announced at our annual meeting, however we would like to formally express our sympathies to his family. Bob was a valued member of our community and will be missed.
Last fall we received word that a very special Douglas Laker had lost her battle to cancer. This Grande Dame, Barbara Robertson fought a hard battle, much of it last summer at her special place on Nuttings Bay. Barb’s love and respect of the lake goes back to her great grandmother and her grandmother who fished the lake with an Indian guide. Wonderful memories of childhood summers and glorious teenage years made her adult years, which were spent building the Robertson place, playing golf, boating and in general living the Douglas lake traditions, all the more special. Barb, one of the original members of the Douglas Lake Association, served as Vice President of the DLIA and continued to support its’ ideals until the very end. We will miss you.
DUES
On your address label just to the right of your name there should be a number. This is the year that we show your dues as being paid through. If the date is not 1999 or later please send your check to:
Douglas Lake Improvement Assoc.
Attn: Carma Case
P.O. Box 472
Pellston, MI 49769
The dues are $10.00 per year.
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