We are nearly halfway through the year, and despite a rainy spring, many of our key projects continue to move forward. In my January article, I outlined our objectives for 2026, and the updates below show that we are making solid progress on many of them. Each month, we continue planning, advancing our goals, and working through some difficult decisions. I am deeply grateful for the time and effort our volunteers and staff are investing to help accomplish these objectives.
Gate 3-4 Road Resurface – Tandem Paving Company completed the resurfacing project from Gate three to Gate 4, completing the last phase of the Low Water Crossing project. In addition, the permanent Silt Basin #3 drain crossing was installed prior to the road being resurfaced.
Silt Basin #3 Project – The new drain structure is gradually moving closer to the basin berm as ICON works through rock excavation and rain delays. Later this month, the crew expects to remove a section of the berm to install the structure and contour the basin bottom to improve future drainage. We are also developing plans to move the large dirt pile outside the basin. More details will follow as we finalize the most cost-effective approach and timing.
NO WAKE ZONE – The Association Operations Crew will be moving the NO WAKE ZONE just before dredging operations begin in the mouth of Tri-Cove area (Quantrill’s, Waterfall, Big Rock). The move combines the Big Rock and Waterfall – Quantrill zones further toward a point that extends from the corner of Union Cove across to S Block. This move will be in place to provides safety for crews and protection of the dredge equipment as we work in the area. This will mean a longer commute into the coves during dredging and require captains to make their turn in the channel sooner. Please respect the NO WAKE ZONE and avoid getting a citation.
New Lake Lotawana Operations Entrance – As I write this article, our contractor has begun replacing the broken concrete, asphalt, and collapsed entrance culvert. The crew started by removing the damaged materials and excavating the area to create a proper base for the new concrete surface. The project also includes a new drain to improve drainage, including runoff from the roof gutter downspout. Look for before, during and after pictures in my next article.
Spire Project – Members around entrance gate 7 (O, P, V Blocks) have seen location crews and stakes being placed in preparation for the Phase I construction to begin. This project will go all the way to the beginning of W Block from P Block. Spire has committed to having all the new service taps at least 24” below the bottom of our road ditch allowing our crews a safe future doing ditch clearing. A reminder that a lot of homes will also be getting new service lines to their homes. Those owner will be contacted directly by Spire. As always please be aware of all the contractor vehicles, equipment and personnel as you drive the east shore road.
Brightspeed Fiberoptics Project – we are still waiting on Brightspeed to complete their internal review of the agreement we have presented to enable their start. No start date has been set at this time.
North Shore Culvert replacement – since we pushed out the North Shore resurface project until after Spire completes their main replacement program, the urgency on replacing the 4 culverts we planned will be later this summer. Once we have a start date we will communicate as there will be some short term road closing for each.
Stafford Preserve – we closed the preserve for a few day for the spot weed spraying. In the July time frame we will be harvesting the Winter Wheat and doing the final preparation for the Bee Habitat planting after the Lot-a-Smoke BBQ in October.
New Network Firewall – for the techies out there we completed the addition of a new Firewall for our Computer Network, upgraded our wireless routers to Wi-Fi 7 and added a Virtual Private Network (VPN) Appliance. The VPN requires a Private IP address, which has been purchased from Comcast Business. Once up and running we will have the ability to support secure remote access.
Centennial Committee – Jenny Shea-Fritz, Chair, along with Noel Runkle, Courtney Fleenor, Aaron Simmons, Julie Ungaschick, and Janie Clemow, will lead planning for our 2027 celebration. At their first meeting, the committee generated many strong ideas in just one hour, and I expect they will reach out to more members as plans take shape. Our community’s early history included several important milestones, including dam construction, land clearing, and the lake’s initial filling. The Development Company was officially formed in 1927, with lake construction following in 1928–29.
If you have questions or topics, you would like discussed regarding the Association, please feel free to drop me a note at President@lakelotawana.net.
Sincerely,
Jeff Clemow
President