2022 Annual Meeting Minutes

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Sherwood Dam Rehabilitation Project

At the beginning of 2022, the Kansas Water Office provided and the board executed a Cost Share Agreement for the 35% match amount SLC owed for preliminary engineering (field work, analysis, plan development and permitting). By August, the KWO and BG consultants completed final contract execution for the preliminary engineering efforts. Field work was completed and preliminary design options were presented to the board by BG Consultants on Dec. 27. The board arranged for two “town hall” meetings to occur in early January, 2023. In accordance with the FEMA Grant program, the preliminary engineering is to be completed no later than March 14, 2023.

Fishery

As a continued effort to adjust the lake fishery based on the findings of the 2021 Midwest Lake Management survey, the lake was stocked with approximately 1500 wipers which prey on small crappie and carp. These were released on May 13.

The LQEC also developed an angler survey to assess the demographics of the anglers fishing Lake Sherwood, what needs and desires the anglers see for the lake, the amount of fishing occurring, targeted species of fish, the angler experience assessment, concerns and expectations. Several items identified include:

•Habitat restoration is important to respondents

•Crappie are the most targeted species (efforts to thin the population of stunted white crappie are necessary to produce a quality fishery)

•Walleyes are a desired species for anglers (stocking will be required to support the population as little natural reproduction occurs)

•Access to the lake is a concern for some anglers (most likely B members) who are interested in early access hours at the boat ramp, shoreline facilities (fishing pier, which could be a handicap access), and improved shoreline access.

Water Quality (Provided by Dr. Randy McAllister, LQEC Committee)

Water samples were collected at four sites on four dates this summer. Sampling occurred on May 23rd, June 14th, July 13th and September 1st. All samples were collected in a standardized manner and analyzed by Midwest Laboratories, Omaha, NB.

The 2022 summer season was marked by increasingly dry conditions with elevated air temperatures. These conditions lead to the stratification of the water with cooler water near the bottom of the lake. In the absence of rain or mixing due to wind and wave action, the bottom layers can become deficient in oxygen. This can lead to the release of phosphorus bound to iron and aluminum in the sediment. When this occurs algal blooms, especially blue-green algae, can be triggered. We were fortunate to receive a significant amount of rainfall at the right time to avert such a bloom.

The overall water quality is very good. Throughout the summer season an abundance of phytoplankton was noticed. This accounted for the greenish tinge to the lake water. At no time did any sample reveal any significant amounts of microcystins, the toxins produced by blue-green algae. As little fertilization occurs during the summer season, no significant amounts of nitrate/nitrite nitrogen or phosphorus were detected. The lake is slightly alkaline with a pH in the upper 7 to lower 8 range. This is consistent with the pH of most freshwater lakes – 6-8. The presence of limestone contributes to the slight elevation of the pH above neutral. Though some elevated levels of E. coli and fecal coliforms were detected, at no time did the readings indicate unsafe recreational conditions.

SUMMARY: The water quality remains high in Lake Sherwood and no limitations currently exist to recreational use with the possible exception of the West End at the end of the season. The persistent greenish tinge to the watercolor indicates the presence of phytoplankton, a form of algae. Though we remain at risk for harmful algal blooms, none were observed this season.

Lake Quality and Environmental Committee

The LQEC continued work through 2022 to maintain, implement and develop initiatives to help ensure the lake water quality remains healthy and help reduce future maintenance costs (i.e. dredging and sediment basins).

•The Clean-Drain-Dry, Don’t Move a Mussel Campaign was developed with logo to raise awareness of the prevention of zebra mussel infestation of the lake. The logo is now part of the yearly stickers for membership watercraft.

Part of the campaign involved including a pledge form for members to sign at the time of boat registration renewal that acknowledges the importance of personal responsibility in preventing aquatic invasive species from being introduced into the lake. Rules and Regulations for the Club were amended to include personal watercraft in the prevention campaign.

•Two sediment basins were constructed by the Sherwood Improvement District and LQEC saw two additional sediment basins started in the latter part of 2022. Once the two LQEC basins are complete, we will have four of the seven locations identified armored to help lower sediment transport into Lake Sherwood.

•Thank you to the Sherwood Improvement District for their willingness to fund the construction of the two sediment basins. We appreciate your partnership.

•The wattle program (green tubes around inlets during the winter months) completed its second installment last spring and began year three in November.

•Thank you to the Sherwood Improvement District and Mission Township Board for participating in the funding of this program. Another appreciated partnership.

•The LQEC committee and SLC board provided an opportunity for the lakefront members to participate in a soil sampling program. Volunteers collected samples from 49 member yards and sent them to the Shawnee County KSU extension office for analysis. The results are back and were distributed to the participating members. These results will assist the LQEC in developing some recommendations for soil amendment and fertilization practices for lakefront members. It is expected that this effort will greatly assist in reducing the noticeable greenish tint to the water in the prime fertilizing seasons as well as help reduce the risk of blue-green algae blooms.

•Thank you to those that participated.

•Through a collaborative effort, Mission Township agreed to reduce the sand to salt ratio used for roadway treatment in the winter from 4:1 to 2:1. This had a noticeable impact on the amount of sand remaining in the streets after larger snow and ice events. Thank you to Mission Township for your partnership in this area.

A big thank you to the LQEC members for their hard work and dedication to maintaining and improving the Lake Sherwood ecological environment. They invest many hours in research, discussing, developing, meeting and presenting quality information and requests/suggestions to the board. The LQEC consists of Dr. Randy McAllister, Warren Schmidgall, Steve Dodd, Joy Dodd, Nelson Dean, Tracy Lynch, Jeff Handley and Steve Brewster.

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