Jordan Lake Association Newsletter

August — 2009

Hello to fellow residents of Jordan Lake. I hope this summer of 2009 has been good for all in spite of the cool and breezy weather. This past spring produced no major weather conditions such as unmanageable high water. The lone instance was handled by the Drain Commissioners in the manner prescribed in the Jordan Lake Dam Operation Plan.

The dam is really the only controllable element in the orderly flow of water through Jordan Lake. The Little Thornapple River is the outlet for Jordan Lake and flows many miles beyond the dam through Barry County into Kent County, where the name changes to the Coldwater River. Why the change? Nobody really knows. The Coldwater River eventually empties into the Thornapple River on its way to the Grand River and Lake Michigan.

The flow of the Little Thornapple River through Barry County runs under numerous roads via culverts. These culverts have become a major concern of the years because many are partially plugged with debris.

The recently-elected Barry County Drain Commissioner, Russ Yarger, has embarked on a program to clear these culverts. This type of project has been severely neglected over the past 15-20 years resulting in backups and flooding not only on Jordan Lake, but also the entire length of the Little Thornapple River.

The Jordan Lake Association needs to apply pressure on Mr. Yarger and others to continue the culvert cleaning program. In addition many of these culverts need to be replaced, most especially those at Brown Road and Charlton Park Roads. Although, there are not many funds available for such replacement projects, we do need to continue to advocate for these programs.

Recent communications to the Barry County Drain Commissioner Russ Yarger follow.

05/08/2009

Russ,

Just a note to inquire about your thoughts and plans following the high water events on Jordan Lake two weeks ago. As you know, a portion of Eagle Point Road and several properties were flooded at the time. Fortunately, no homes suffered damage, although some garages and lots had water in or over them, and water filled the yards coming close to getting into their homes.

The problem of upstream and downstream drainage remains. New and improved storm sewers in the Village of Lake Odessa and heavily tiled fields and well maintained ditch drainage in Ionia County contribute more water in Jordan Lake and the Inter County Drain than the outlet at the Dam was designed for in the late 1950's. An example of this drainage can be found on Musgrove Road between Jordan Lake Road and M66.

The downstream outlet, the Little Thornapple River, has many culverts at the various road crossings that are inadequate to handle the flow at times of excessive rains. The most immediate problem culverts are at Brown Road two hundred yard downstream of the Jordan Lake Dam. Although other down stream culverts certainly need attention and/or replacement, the Brown Road culverts must be replaced as soon as possible by a boxy type bridge. The situation at this spot continues to be the central problem with the orderly flow of excessive water from Jordan Lake.

Therefore, we, yourself and Jordan Lake residents, need to work together to find a solution to the Brown Road "dam." Would you be willing to meet with some residents to develop a workable plan for a replacement for the Brown Road culverts in the near future?

Mike Cary

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05/10/2009

Mr. Yarger,

My recent observations of the drain between 579 and 596 Eagle Pointe indicate that it is not working. The marsh area to the south and east has much more water than normal for even this time of year. Further observation also indicates that the drain tube has been crushed at one point near the road. The construction of a home in this area brought some heavy equipment over this tube that most likely contributed to this damage as the area was quite torn up. I do know that Doug Stowell has contacted the Barry County Road Commission concerning this matter but it appears to be a drain problem to me. This tube is a substitute for a natural drainage ditch from the marsh. Your attention to this matter would be appreciated.

In addition to the above problem, the landscaping from a recently build home at 596 Eagle Pointe is contributing to the high water over the road and onto the neighbor’s property. Mr. Doyle was supposedly working on this matter , but to date nothing appears to have been done to correct the situation. Do you have any plans to get this problem corrected?

Mike Cary, Jordan Lake

Note: A reply to either email from Russ Yarger was never received.

WEED CONTROL

Professional Lake Management (PLM) continues to be the responsible agent for the treatment of weeds and algae in Jordan Lake. From observation, their treatments have been successful this season. If any residents are having excessive weed or algae problems on their shorelines, direct contact with PLM should be made.

Their phone number is (616) 891-1294 and/or email jasonb@plmcorp.net

ANNUAL JORDAN LAKE ASSOCIATION MEETING

Wednesday, August 26 at 7:00 PM

St. Edward Church Basement – 531 Jordan Lake Street, Lake Odessa

At this meeting we will be asking for suggestions of projects for the Jordan Lake Association going forward and of any concerns that the Lake Association might address. Please plan to attend.

Officers District Representatives

President: Mike Cary (District #4) Katy Estes (District #3)

Vice President: Tom Sinke (District #3) Dave Creuger (District #5)

Secretary: Claire Twitchell (District #1)

Treasury: Mike Reed (District #1)

We need three (3) persons to volunteer to be Directors/Representatives. This is now a requirement for non-profit corporations such as Lake Associations. District #2 has no representation; District #4 has one representative; District #5 has one representative.

These positions require very little time commitment.

Postal Mail Address: Web Site:

Jordan Lake Association www.jlassoc.org

922 Lakeview Drive

Lake Odessa, MI 48849

Current Number of Paid Members: 35 (2008 = 13)

Current Bank Balance: $1,543.30

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