The Great Blue Heron is the mascot of Lake Lapeer!

What is the Lake Improvement Board?

The Lake Lapeer Lake Improvement Board was formed in 2000 for the purpose of improving the water quality of Lake Lapeer.  The first project was to improve the lake by developing a comprehensive plan to control the weeds in the lake.  Previous to 2000, the Lake Lapeer Association was responsible for weeding the lake.  This was done by harvesting the weeds each June.  The cost was paid for by the Lake Lapeer Association Members.

After Lake Lapeer became the home to Eurasian Milfoil, harvesting was not as option, since it actually causes the Eurasian Milfoil to spread.  After consulting with environmentalists and limnologists, the Lake Board chose to control the weeds with chemical applications.  All lake residents are currently assessed for the cost of the chemical weeding.

PLM Lake and Land Management Corp. treats Lake Lapeer for weeds.  The first chemical weeding is usually applied in early June when the weeds first appear.

SUMMER WEED AND ALGAE TREATMENT

Please watch your shoreline for the posting of the 8 1/2 x 11 yellow or green signs. The sign will indicate the date of the treatment and the products used. Any restrictions on the use of treated water for swimming, watering lawns, etc. will also be listed.

If residents have weed treatment in front of their property, they should find the posting of the 8 1/2 yellow or green sign from PLM indicating that their area was treated.  If they do not have a sign in their yard, there are no restrictions in their area.

Where is the Dam Site and why do we have it?

In 2002, the DEQ determined that the Lake Lapeer Dam did not meet the requirements of a 200-year storm event and the properties downstream could potentially flood.

John Cosens, Lapeer County Drain Commissioner, hired Spicer Engineering to develop a plan. The best solution was a new fixed crest weir made from Armorflex. That is a flexible interlocking matrix of concrete blocks hooked together by cables.  Spaces allow vegetation to grow between the blocks.

The plan called for the removal of 60′ of embankment and placement of weir at 861.8 feet elevation. This gives the lake a fluctuation of up to 6″ before the water would flow over the weir during high water levels.  This also alleviated the high water problems during heavy rains.

In 2023, Joe Suma, the Lapeer County Drain Commissioner, determined that the dam area needed improvements.  The Drain Commission replaced the platform, the riprap, and the fence at the dam. Trees were removed and 480 yards of clay were brought in. Topsoil and seed blankets were placed in the bare areas.  The improved dam has successfully controlled the flow of water from the lake and the high water on some of the properties.

The boards are placed in the dam spillway in April each year.  The lake level rises as water from the creeks, springs, and rain is retained.  The first board is removed from the dam in October each year. The lower lake level allows property owners to maintain sea walls and shorelines.  The lower lake level, winter pool (approximately 3 feet lower than summer pool), also helps to prevent erosion over the winter.

Located on the North-East side of the lake, the area within the fence at the Lake Lapeer Dam is Lake Lapeer Association property and is off limits to everyone.  No fishing is allowed at the dam site and anyone who enters that area is considered to be trespassing.

Are property rentals allowed on Lake Lapeer?

PROPERTY RENTAL REGULATION

Some property rentals are allowed while others are not. The following regulation, adopted by the LLA Board, explains property rentals on Lake Lapeer. Consistent with relevant Declarations of Restrictions and pursuant to LLA Bylaw Article XII, “No property in the Association shall be used for purposes other than single-family residential purposes.” Similarly, only single-family residential use is allowed by Elba Township and Hadley Township ordinances that pertain to the property surrounding Lake Lapeer. Further, Michigan  case law clearly establishes that short-term rentals are not considered single-family residential use. However, year-to-year rentals of 12 months or longer always have been allowed by the LLA and have occurred. Such rentals and those of at least 6 months are deemed by the Board to be in accordance with Declarations of Restrictions, LLA Bylaws, Township ordinances, and relevant Michigan case law because, in relation to that case law, the Board accepts that “permanence in the residence” has been established as demonstrated by the residents’ actions including a continuity of being physically present in the residence and storing personal property within the residence.  Week-to-week and month-to-month rentals for vacation-like purposes do not reflect permanence in residence, have been held by the Michigan Courts to be commercial in nature and, therefore, are not permitted.

Rentals of less than 6 months in duration are permitted only when resulting in permanence in the residence. Prior to renting their property, property owners should submit to the Board a lease that describes how the rental unit is to be used including the purpose and time period for which renters will use the property, and, in case of any emergencies, contact information for both the owners and the renters.

For property rentals that are less than 6 months in duration which do not establish permanence in the residence, the Board shall inform the respective township of the purported ordinance violation(s), in accordance with LLA Bylaw Article XIII (Community Standards, 1.), and/or institute legal action.

Can I use a de-icer to keep the ice from forming around my dock?

LAKE LAPEER ASSOCIATION STRONGLY DISCOURAGES USE OF DE-ICERS

De-icers used in lakes prevent the formation of ice and cause dangerous conditions. Bubblers and agitators are among the de-icers on the market. Because the LLA Board does not own or control the lake, it cannot create a rule prohibiting the use of bubblers or other deicers. However, because of the dangers created by the use of de- icers, the Board strongly discourages their use.

DANGEROUS ICE CONDITIONS

If a property owner creates a dangerous condition by using a de-icer and if a person falls through the ice and is injured or dies, it is likely that the owner will be sued by the person or the person’s estate. It also is likely the owner will lose the lawsuit. This is true even if the property owner had installed warning signs.

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Finally, property owners also should be aware that submerged water circulating devices, such as agitators, are prohibited by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and that use of such a device without a permit from the DEQ is in violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams Natural Resources Environmental Protection Act

What are invasive species?

An invasive species is one that is not native and whose introduction causes harm, or is likely to cause harm to Michigan's economy, environment, or human health.

Many non-native species in Michigan, including fruits, vegetables, field crops, livestock and domestic animals, are important to our economy and lifestyle. Most non-native species are not harmful and may provide economic benefits. Invasive species cause harm when they out-compete native species by reproducing and spreading rapidly in areas where they have no natural predators and change the balance of the ecosystems we rely on.

INVASIVE SPECIES PREVENTION

What boaters need to know:

Michigan law requires that a person remove all aquatic plants from watercraft, watercraft equipment and trailers before placing these into Michigan waters. Prior to transporting any watercraft over land, boaters are required to do all of the following:

This means that after trailering boats, and before getting on the road, boaters must pull plugs, drain water and remove plants and debris. Violation of the law is a state civil infraction and violators may be subject to fines up to $100. 

For more information on this law, see Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (Act 451 of 1994) Part 413.

What anglers need to know:

Michigan law includes regulations regarding the release of baitfish, collection and use of baitfish and cut bait, and release of captured fish, specifically:

Whether purchased or collected, unused baitfish should be disposed of on land or in the trash – never in the water. Any baitfish an angler collects may be used only in the waters where it was originally collected. Anglers who are catching and releasing fish should only release the fish back into the same water or in a connecting body of water the fish could have reached on its own. Violation of the law is a state civil infraction and violators may be subject to fines up to $100.

For more information on this law, see Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (Act 451 of 1994) Part 413.

Why are there dead fish on my shoreline sometimes?

FISH KILLS

Dead and dying fish are an ugly sight. Truth is, most species of fish are relatively short-lived and have a high rate of mortality. Even large

fish, too large to be eaten by predators such as bass and pike, experience a death rate of approximately 50% per year. Fortunately, the deaths are usually spread-out over the year and are rarely observed or become a problem except when concentrated as a fish kill. Only a fraction of the dead fish are ever observed because many decompose on the bottom or are eaten by scavengers such as turtles and crayfish.

Most of the time, fish kills are due to natural causes over which we have no control, such as weather. Only occasionally is death directly related to pollution or improper use of herbicides or other chemicals. Natural fish kills are of three basic seasonal types: winterkill, which occurs in late winter but may not be seen until early spring; spring kill, which is occurs in late May to early June; and summer kill, which occurs on the hottest days of mid summer.

WINTER KILLS

Winterkill is the most common type of fish kill. When severe, it has devastating effects on fish populations and fishing quality. Winterkill occurs during especially long, harsh winters.  Shallow lakes with excess amounts of aquatic vegetation and mucky bottoms are prone to this problem. Fish actually die in late winter, but may not be noticed until a month after the ice leaves the lake because the dead fish are temporarily preserved by the cold water. Winterkill begins with distressed fish gasping for air at holes in the ice and ends with large numbers of dead fish which bloat as the water warms in early spring. Dead fish may appear fuzzy because of secondary infection by fungus, but the fungus was not the cause of death.

Actually, the fish suffocated from lack of dissolved oxygen. Trace amounts of dissolved oxygen (measured in parts per million, ppm) are required by fish and all other forms of aquatic life. Even living plants and the bacteria that decompose organic materials on the bottom of the lake require oxygen. As a rule of thumb, the critical level of oxygen is about 2 ppm for most game fish native to warmwater lakes, and levels below 1 ppm for extended periods of time are lethal.

Species of fish vary in their tolerance of low oxygen. Trout are most sensitive; walleye, bass, and bluegill have intermediate sensitivity; and northern pike, yellow perch, and pumpkinseed are relatively tolerant. Bullheads and certain minnows are very tolerant. Lakes prone to periodic winterkill can often be detected from the composition of their fish populations – tolerant species predominate, sensitive species are rare, and prey greatly outnumber predators. Fortunately, usually enough fish survive, either in the lake or in connecting waters, to repopulate the lake in a couple of years. Only for extreme die-offs is fish restocking necessary.

The dissolved oxygen content of water depends primarily on three variables. These are the amount of mixing with the air above the lake, the rate of oxygen production by plants, and the rate of oxygen consumption (respiration) by living aquatic organisms. During periods of prolonged ice cover, the lake is sealed off from the atmosphere and cannot be recharged with oxygenated air. Furthermore, ice and snow reduce the amount of sunlight reaching aquatic plants, thereby reducing photosynthesis and oxygen production. (During photosynthesis, living plants use sunlight energy and carbon dioxide to make plant tissue and dissolved oxygen). Meanwhile, on-going consumption of oxygen depletes the supply of oxygen stored in the lake when the lake froze over. Shallow, productive lakes are at a disadvantage because they have a low storage capacity and high rates of oxygen-consuming decomposition.

February is usually a critical period and is the best time to check the oxygen content of lakes prone to winterkill. A good midwinter thaw about then often recharges the lake’s oxygen supply by means of photosynthesis and melt water. Conversely, a prolonged winter, with continuous snow cover and late ice-out, increases the chance of winterkill.

A short-term solution to impending winter kill, suitable for ponds and small lakes, is to aerate with commercial devices or outboard motors. A significant improvement can be made in the oxygen content of about 1 acre of water by running a small outboard motor for about 4 hours. Select a relatively warm day to use the outboard method. Mount the outboard on a dock, frame, or small boat and lower the shaft into a large hole in the ice. Tilt and run the motor so as to push water on top of the ice. Then, at the edge of the flooded area, chop more holes so the water can return. Beware of weakened ice! Move to another location before the outboard hole becomes dangerously enlarged or water is no longer pushed onto the ice. Run the motor over relatively deep water so that bottom mud is not stirred up along with the water.

The only long-term solution for winter kill lakes is to reverse the natural process of filling and enrichment (eutrophication). Dredging or sucking bottom sediments can increase the volume of water, reduce the nutrient-rich sediment, and reduce the growth of nuisance plants. However, such projects are extremely costly, require a site for disposing of the bottom material, and may require a permit. Lake residents can help slow down the rate of eutrophication by keeping all types of plant fertilizers out of the lake.

SPRING KILLS

Spring kill occurs in lakes and rivers when fish survive the winter but die as the water warms rapidly in May and June. It rarely claims many fish and is usually over in a couple of weeks. Spring kill is almost always due to natural causes beyond our influence. The usual victims are large bluegills and crappies, and other fish which spawn in the spring such as perch, bass, pike and suckers.

A combination of stresses is usually responsible. Fish come through the winter in a weakened condition because they’ve been eating at a reduced rate. As the water warms, their metabolism increases and they divert much energy to strenuous spawning activities. In lakes, additional stress may be added during “turnover”, which is when wave action stirs up bottom water low in oxygen and high in noxious gases. Diseases and parasites also become more active and on a few occasions have been implicated in fish kills. An example is the spring salmon mortality in Lake Michigan caused by bacteria kidney disease (BKD).

SUMMER KILLS

Summer kill occasionally occurs in lakes and streams during extremely hot summer weather. High temperature and low dissolved oxygen combine to stress the fish. Most prone to summer kills are pike, perch, suckers, bass, and bluegill living in shallow, productive lakes or bays with excessive amounts of algae or rooted aquatic vegetation. The plants consume large amounts of oxygen at night, causing a temporary shortage of the vital gas just before dawn. A cloudy, calm day extends the critical period by reducing re-oxygenation from photosynthesis and wave action. Apparently, fish in the oxygen-depleted areas do not sense the danger and swim to safety in time.

Summer kill may also occur in deep, unproductive lakes containing trout or cisco. These fish require both cold and well-oxygenated water. During summer they seek refuge in the cold bottom layers where temperatures are less than 72 degrees F. Death results if the oxygen level there declines below about 4 ppm. Trout will also die in streams if they are unable to find cold spring water. Several stream trout mortalities were reported during the hot summer of 1995.

A very unique type of fish kill is caused by a lightning strike on water. Death occurs immediately. Large fish, which draw more electricity than small fish, may be killed selectively.

In conclusion, the risk of some types of fish kills can be reduced by keeping as many nutrients out of the water as possible. Sources of nutrients include septic fields, fertilized lawns and farm fields, and wastes from livestock and waterfowl (including tame geese). Reducing nutrient input starts the following favorable chain reaction: production by aquatic plants is reduced, less decomposition is required, and oxygen will not become depressed to critical levels.

Natural fish kills are obnoxious, and may affect fishing and predator-prey “balance” for years. However, they are often not serious in the long run because lakes contain thousands of fish per acre. They may be thought of as nature’s way of thinning out fish populations. Usually, fish kills indicate that the habitat is of marginal quality for certain species because of the broad range of weather conditions we experience in Michigan.

Infrequently, fish kills indicate habitat or pollution problems we may be able to correct. And sometimes, fish kills beneficially reduce over-populated, slow-growing panfish and actually increase growth rates and improve fishing.

Do I need authorization to build on my property?

The Lake Lapeer Association Municipal Committee assists the Board of Trustees in the planning of civic improvements and interacting with federal, state, and local governmental agencies. The committee reviews and recommends to the Board the approval or disapproval of residential building plans submitted by residents as referenced in LLA Bylaws and as required in Declarations of Restrictions. Be sure to submit building plans, soil erosion permit, and site plan to the Municipal Committee before beginning construction.

When are the fireworks and who pays for them?

The Lake Lapeer Association sponsors a fireworks show each year on or around July 4th. The date is voted on by the membership at the Lake Lapeer Association's annual "all membership" meeting. Our fireworks show is 100% funded by donations, the show is put on by a company that specializes in professional fireworks displays. It begins at dusk and emanates from the dam site. During the fireworks show boaters must keep a safe distance from the dam site, not going inside the area of the lake that is marked by buoys. 

Contributions are encouraged and appreciated. LLA members and residents may contribute each spring when they receive and return their dues letters. Others may contribute by sending a check to Lake Lapeer Association, in care of Barb Murawski, P.O. Box 167, Hadley, MI, 48440


How do I get a key to the boat launch?

The boat launch is reserved for the exclusive use of Lake Lapeer Association members. To obtain a key to use the launch, contact one of the Lake Lapeer Association directors here. Please be prepared to provide your current LLA membership card and sign a key checkout sheet if asked. Only obtain a key when you are ready to either launch or pull your boat, and return the key as soon as you have launched or pulled your boat. Please keep the gate closed and locked at all times unless directed otherwise by the LLA Board of Directors. 

When are the annual All Membership Meetings?

The Lake Lapeer Association holds two annual "all membership" meetings. Our first meeting is typically held at 7pm, on the third Tuesday in May and the second meeting is typically held at 7pm, on the third Tuesday in August. Both meetings are held at the Elba Township Hall unless otherwise noted. Confirmation of these meetings will be located in many different places. 1.) Via mail, listed on your annual dues letter. 2.) The calendar found on this website. 3.) Listed on our Lake Lapeer Association Facebook page, found here.