Dear Robeson Meadows Neighbors,
We would like to share an exciting opportunity to contribute to the health and well-being of the lakes in our neighborhood. The Board has approved a proposal from one of our residents to add some nature-based fish structures to the lakes with the goal of enhancing aquatic habitat.
Adding structures below the waterline will cost the HOA nothing. Most of the materials needed are essentially free, readily available locally, and natural/biodegradable. Adding a structure does not change the current ascetics of the lakes or surrounding areas. The proposed structure will sit below the waterline. It’s like creating an artificial reef!
One of our residents who regularly fishes the lakes with a kayak equipped with fish-finding sonar, has explored under the water on the bottom of the lakes and pointed out that currently, both lake beds are nothing but mud. He is the person who brought this idea to the Board. Structures have many benefits for habitat in the ponds. The fish currently have little to no habitat that they need to sustain themselves. In the summer of 2022, after having stocked the lakes with small fish, we had a large fish die-off in both lakes due to a long dry period and lack of oxygenated water.
Adding nature-based structures will benefit and help sustain the fish we have already paid for and currently maintain. Structures provide a place for micro flora/fauna to thrive. Small plants attached to the structure produce oxygen the fish and other animals need to live. A healthy fish population will attract natural predators like eagles, hawks, and herons. Geese will be less likely to stick around a pond with a Bald Eagle in residence. We currently don’t have any Large Mouth Bass, like we did in the past, because they lack the habitat to get that large.
This resident will be spearheading and conducting Phase I: Christmas Trees of this structure project on the weekend of January 17-19, weather permitting. Depending on the number of trees collected, the initial phase will place one structure in the large lake. Initially, the fish structure will consist of Christmas trees, which were used in the past to promote fish habitat in the lakes of Robeson Meadows.
We are planning on collecting 5-10 real Christmas trees from curbsides on the weekend of Jan 10-12 just before the City pick-up date of trees on Jan 13th. If the lake is frozen, the weighted trees will be put in position on the weekend of Jan 17-19, weather permitting. When the ice melts the structure will sink and settle to the bottom in the designated location.
We encourage residents to join these activities. If you have a real Christmas tree to donate to this project, please place it on the curb on the weekend of Jan. 10 – 12. And join us on the weekend of Jan. 17 – 19 as we move the structure into position. For your safety and to reduce the impact on fishing activities of our neighbors, residents are asked to please refrain from placing any material into the lakes on your own without Board approval. A map of the locations of the structures created will be provided later to help those who fish avoid damage to fishing gear.
Below are links to some articles from vetted sources that describe the benefits of fish structures in our lakes.
https://dnr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dnr/conservation/csp/documents/updated-csp-files/fish-structure.pdf
https://www.wisconsinlpr.com/staying-alive-why-you-need-fish-structure/
0 Comments