This has been a difficult few weeks dealing with the water level on the lake. The current
level is approximately 2.5 feet above the long term normal level.  Unfortunately, there is more rain expected Friday and into Saturday, so conditions on the lake may get worse.  

First Place – fishing from pontoons and paddle boats

Second Place – rubber duckie and water cannon

Third Place – pirates with water balloons

FOLLOW WISCONSIN BOATING REGULATIONS

Please use good judgment when operating your boat on Gilmore Lake.  We ask that you follow all Wisconsin boating regulations.  https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/boat/

All motorboats within 100 feet of a swimmer, a dock or shore must proceed at slow/no wake speed—the slowest speed you can go and still maintain steerage.  Jet Skis must stay 200 feet from shore if operated faster than “slow, no wake.”   There are two narrows between the upper-middle-lower basins of Gilmore Lake where boats should pass at slow/no wake speed.

Please refer to this pamphlet on Wisconsin’s Boating Regulations for more details.  WI Boating Regs 2020

WAKE BOAT EFFECTS ON SHALLOW LAKES

In addition, certain types of boats, including boats made for Wake Boarding can have a detrimental effect on the lake’s ecosystem when operated in shallow waters (<10 feet) or too close to shorelines.  Gilmore Lake’s average depth is 16 feet and there are certain shallow areas that are not appropriate for operation of a wake boat.  One site in particular is the “sunken island” in the southwest part of the lower basin of the lake which is approximately five feet deep.  The sunken island has been treated continuously for EWM, which spreads easily.  Please avoid Wake Boating in this area, and remind your guests to do the same.

The North American Lake Management Society has published several articles on the effect of Wake Boats on lakes which provide more education on how to minimize impact of boats designed to displace water to maximize wakes.  NALMS – Manage the Wave and Wake Boat Impact

Northwest WI has received over three inches of rain. The lake level is rising; please follow the no-wake restrictions until the water has returned to a normal level.

The boat parade happened at 1 PM today. Thanks to all that participated, now rain rain go away!

This is a reminder about the following important events and dates:

1. WASHBURN COUNTY ZONING MEETING

The Washburn County Planning and Zoning Committee will be meeting next week to discuss the proposed subdivision of the Chauvet property on Gilmore Lake.  The County Zoning Committee meeting will be held Tuesday July 24^th at 3:30pm at the Ed Elliott Building 110 4th Ave. in Shell Lake in the County Board Meeting Room.

The most current proposal is available at this link:  Plat drawing for Chauvet property as of 6-10-18

There will be an opportunity for residents to voice their comments regarding the proposed development.  There are a number of topics that can be raised including safety, density, deforestation, runoff, septic, pollution, environmental impact, and more.  It is most impactful if we have a variety of concerns rather than multiple individuals voicing the same topic. If you are not able to attend and want to voice your comments, please send Fran McCloskey an email and she will have them presented at the meeting by Linda Featherly (our town and County Board representative).

2. LAKE EDUCATION SERIES

The Minong Town Lakes Committee is sponsoring an educational series starting this Saturday, at 9:00am at the Minong Town Hall on Nancy Lake Road.  The brochure is available at this link: Your Land Our Lakes-Brochure

The sessions will be on the next 4 Saturdays in a row (7/21, 7/28, 8/4, and 8/11), with a wildlife and your shoreline topic for this Saturday.  Gary Dunsmoor may have some live critters with him, and all people of all ages like learning about critters.  The following weeks’ topics of zebra mussel prevention, wildfire protection, and wild rice are geared to be of high interest for lakeshore property owners.

The keychain floats will be available for attendees at each session until they are gone.

We hope to see you on Saturday!

The WATER LEVEL this morning was a little over 2 feet above normal.  It should be close to normal by the weekend, assuming no large rainfalls.

LOST & FOUND:   There are a number of people with missing dock sections and other items.  People have also found items and would like you to come retrieve them.  Please check on the Lost & Found Tab.  https://gilmorelakeassociation.com/lost-found/

The Facebook page also has posts of lost and found items.  I am trying to keep up with items posted on Facebook and post them on the website, but I may have missed some.

Please contact Fran McCloskey via email if you need help connecting with someone.

Again, please be careful to avoid floating debris and abide by the NO WAKE recommendation.

Reminder that the Lake Association Annual Meeting and Picnic are this coming Saturday at 10am at the Minong Town Hall on Nancy Lake Road.