Dear Dr. Loon,

Springtime always brings so many chores for us cabin owners. What things should I do as I get my beach ready for summer that will help keep Lone Lake clean?

Signed,
Cabin Worker

Dear Cabin Worker,

Welcome back! A pair of us arrived April 10 to a mostly ice-covered Lone Lake, but with webbed toes crossed, we are looking for a good nesting home this year.

Please know that we will again need to balance the phosphorus and nitrates in the lake to keep us all healthy but not overwhelm our lake with degrading chemicals. We know none of you knowingly pour items into the lake, but spring run-off carries all sorts of unhealthy chemicals and items into our lake.

A BIG producer of phosphorus and nitrogen? Leaves. Those leaves/pine needles that fell into the lake and all seem to be on YOUR shoreline? Please rake them out......don't just let them sink and stay....allow them to dry off and haul them away from our lake. Also important, leaves flowing with the spring run-off need to be stopped as well. so take the time to filter what you can instead of allowing them to increase phosphate in the lake (as they rot) for years to come.

Anything flowing to the lake, (as each of us upgrades and updates our property,) needs to be a focus so a clean lake can be a safe home for fish, wildlife, and all users of Lone Lake.

Check out this website for more information. PCA website

See you on the lake.....watch out for all slow-moving lake lovers!