Patrolling the Pond April 15, 2026
Mastering Lake Rules
Mike Miller, VP Lake Lotawana Association
One sure sign of spring is that another Masters Champion has been jacketed. Or in the case of the 2026 Master, only the 4th back-to-back winner, Rory McIlroy, slipped on the Green Jacket for the second time on Sunday. For any golfers or even distant fans, the Masters is the ultimate golf tournament. As they say, “It’s a tradition like no other.” I have a fondness for The Masters because I lived in Augusta for several years. I was fortunate enough to walk the course, making it feel different from watching it on TV. As golf goes, the drama doesn’t get much bigger. And this year didn’t disappoint. So what does this have to do with Patrolling the Pond? Like the Masters, we are about to begin, “A tradition like no other.” Yes, spring and the Masters mean that summer at Lotawana is not far away!
At the same time you are dusting off the boats and debating if you will toss out those pieces of wood you’ve been saving for 8 years at the upcoming Lotawana Spring clean-up (April 18th), take out the old Lotawana Rules and Regulations manual and give it a once-over. Even if you have been on the lake your entire life, reviewing the rules with your family and guests is good practice. The most up-to-date Rules and Regulations are available online at lakelotawana.net/rules-and-regulations/ or at the Association office. Here are a few other tips as we move toward the season:
- Make sure all your watercraft are registered by May 1 or removed from the lake
“Registered means dues are paid in full and “Forever” decal is in place.”
- Forever Sticker fade is real if it is in the sun. The staff is working on it. Stay tuned.
Changing rules is tricky because of the cascade of events that follows. Just when you think of everything, you realize you can’t. Patience during change is always a good thing. Patience and grace.
Like the Rules Officials at the Masters, our Water Patrol enforces our rules. And while rules enforcement results in a safer lake, it’s important to know that calling Water Patrol is not like calling police or EMS.
- Their training is strictly around rules and rule enforcement.
- Just like the Rules Officials at the Masters, Water Patrol cannot keep a player from putting a ball in the water. Water Patrol cannot prevent someone from breaking the rules or creating an unsafe situation. That is everyone’s responsibility.
- Why do we always ask you to review the rules with your family and guests? Because water safety starts with every member.
Water Patrol will be hiring the 2026 team and training them next month. A lot of volunteer time and effort go into the process to ensure that this summer is another one to remember, enjoying traditions like no other. Until next time, see you on the Pond!
SAFER SEVEN QUIZ
Last time, Safer Seven offered $25 gift certificates to local Lotawana eateries to a selected winner answering the question, “List FIVE of the Top 10 Water violations cited in 2025.” We had one winner this time. Here are the Top 10 (not in order):
- Recklessness, Holiday rules violations, non-owner PWC rider violations, tubers/skiers (no flag, too many), wrong direction, objects in water (buoys, left in water), Other random (underage, abusive language, not yield to WP), no decals, no lot and block number, discharge of fireworks.
- AREAS of focus in 2026: No-wake area violations, plowing.
No quiz this week. Brush up on water moving regulations for next time! There will be prizes! Any questions or comments? Email Mike at vp@lakelotawana.net