Caring for Ken Lake Together

A Summary of Tuesday’s Lake Committee Meeting

The Lake Committee met this week in a neighbor’s home, creating a comfortable setting for a detailed discussion about lake health, stormwater systems, and upcoming restoration work. This summary outlines what was covered, what questions remain, and what the community can expect next.

Throughout the meeting, one theme came through clearly: the lake is a shared resource, and its care is a shared responsibility.

To enjoy the lake in the summer, we need to think about lake care all year long.

What We Reviewed

Comprehensive Lake Management Plan

The committee revisited the long-term management plan adopted under a previous board. It outlines goals for water quality, shoreline protection, and coordinated maintenance.

Catch Basins and Stormwater Responsibilities

We reviewed the catch basins located around the lake:

• There are 14 catch basins, each about the size of a dining table

• Last cleaned in 2022

• Intended for annual maintenance

• Responsibility for cleaning is currently disputed between the HOA and the City under the stormwater program

Additional stormwater responsibilities were noted:

• The City conducts two street sweeps per year

• The City also cleans the West Canal

To clarify responsibilities, Sheila will reach out to the City’s Water Resources Director as soon as possible to establish a meeting to confirm:

• What documentation, if any, shifts maintenance to the HOA

• Whether that shift is still valid today

Understanding Pollution Sources

Committee members shared recent conversations with regional partners:

• Leslie met with the Conservation District’s Stephanie Bishop and engineer Cat Carina to begin identifying potential pollution pathways, including runoff from Highway 101.

• Evan followed up by phone to clarify thresholds for cleanup or mitigation grants.

• Additional features such as nearby swales were noted for follow-up to better understand stormwater movement into the lake.

The upcoming meeting with the Conservation District (to be scheduled for January) will help address outstanding questions and explore upstream or estuary-level solutions.

Current Lake Conditions

A few conditions were noted for monitoring as we head into winter:

• Springs on the west side of the lake may be obstructed

• A beaver has been observed; while wildlife is part of the ecosystem, it may be disturbing materials beneath a dock, which may require review for public health or safety considerations

These observations will help set priorities for spring planning.

Communication & Education Planning for Early 2026

The committee outlined a communication plan designed to make lake stewardship clearer and more accessible.

Lakefront Education Flyer

• A draft flyer will be brought to the board in January for approval.

  • This will allow for revision time, if needed, before the planned meeting in March/April

• Volunteers will deliver flyers to lakefront homes and answer questions.

• A volunteer script will be developed to ensure consistent information.

Lake-Care Page

If the website project advances, we will support the committee by building a clear, accessible lake-care page, including FAQs.

Spring “Care & Feeding of the Shoreline” Meeting

Doug proposed a community meeting in late March or April focused on:

• vegetation

• wildlife

• shoreline ecology

This will also be an opportunity to recruit volunteers for lake cleanup efforts, ranging from vegetation removal to more intensive rake-outs described by long-time residents. We all enjoy the lake, we can all help keep the lake clean and clear.

Ongoing Outreach

The newsletter will include a quarterly focus on lake-care topics. Committee meetings will be publicly announced so residents can follow and participate.

A potential workshop or highlight may also feature neighborhood-level examples of good practices, such as Jay Johnson’s rain-garden cul-de-sac. Hey Jay - call us! We’d love to feature you!

What Residents Can Do Right Now

Because lake care is everyone’s responsibility, the committee emphasized practical steps residents can take today. As one example, several neighbors recently shared a simple, vinegar-based moss remover that avoids chemical runoff.

Moss Remover

You will need:

A large garden spray bottle

Jug(s) of 30% vinegar found at hardware stores

Water

What to do:

Mix 5 parts water to 1 part vinegar in your spray bottle. On a sunny, or at least not rainy, day, apply directly to moss, driveway, stones, and shingles, being careful of your own plants. Can I just use cooking vinegar? Sure! Don't worry about mixing with water; just fill your spray canister and go for it!

What’s Next

• Schedule the January meeting with the Conservation District

• Bring the lakefront flyer to the January board meeting

• Begin preparing the spring education and cleanup plan