We are GRATEFUL!

This past week, we were reminded how grateful we are for time spent with those we love in a place we hold dear. Thank YOU for being a part of our community and believing in our mission. We are so very grateful for all of our supporters!

The newly established Lake Manitou Maintenance and Sustainability Fund has grown quickly in its first year of existence.  It was established through a grant from the Northern Indiana Community Foundation with $5000 in seed money.

A challenge was offered by NICF of an additional matching grant of $5000, to be awarded on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021 if LMA could raise $5000 in donations.  The response to this challenge was enthusiastic and generous—LMA has received commitments for contributions in excess of $7500 from individuals and businesses.  Our year-end goal is to secure as many donations as possible for this inaugural year of fundraising for the endowment.  

 The funds will be held in a newly established account at the Community Foundation.  Gifts in any amount can be made to this fund by individuals, businesses, or as honorariums or memorials.  The interest earned each year can be utilized for needs of the LMA, but the donations will be held to grow in value for many years to come.  The endowment will be a long-term financial complement to the LMA membership dues, which are used annually to cover the ongoing and immediate needs of Lake Manitou.

 If you are interested in making a donation, please contact Brian Johnson, Director of Development, Northern Indiana Community Foundation, at 574-223-3223, or fulton@nicf.org.

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LMA Endowment Fund Created

LMA IS RECIPIENT OF FULTON COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GENEROSITY

In June of this year, LMA was awarded a $5000 grant from the Fulton County Community Foundation as seed money for an endowment fund.  This endowment will serve as a long-term growth opportunity in support of the mission of LMA to preserve and protect Lake Manitou.

The funds will be held in a newly established account at the Community Foundation.  Gifts in any amount can be made to this fund by individuals, businesses, or as honorariums or memorials.  The interest earned each year can be utilized for needs of the LMA, but the contributions will be held to grow in value for many years to come.  The endowment will be a long-term financial complement to the LMA membership dues, which are used annually to cover the ongoing and immediate needs of Lake Manitou.

In August, the FCCF once again presented LMA with a means of growing the newly established endowment by an additional $10,000.  On Giving Tuesday, November 30, if the LMA can raise $5000 in donations, the Lilly Endowment will match that $5000, dollar for dollar.  

These simple stipulations are required for the match:

- A $500 per person maximum donation

- Checks dated on Giving Tuesday, November 30, 2021

It is our immediate goal to secure10 donations, in the amount of $500 each, in order to take advantage of this generous matching opportunity.

Our year-end goal is to secure as many donations as possible for the inaugural year of fundraising for the LMA Endowment.  These participants will be recognized as founding members, whose vision and support will be just the beginning of building a healthy and secure future for the lake we love.

If you would like to participate as a founding donor, would like to attend a meeting to learn more, or have questions, please contact Cathy Simmons at Catherine.r.simmons@gmail.com,  or 317-417-8007.

Big THANK YOU

Although the challenges of this year have kept us from celebrating together as in years past, we have delighted in seeing friends and families enjoy time on the lake! We are so very thankful for our wonderful lake community coming together to help keep Manitou our favorite place to be! 

This year, we received a $15,000 grant from the Northern Indiana Community Foundation to help us fund the aquatic plant control program, and another $1,440 from the Indiana LARE (Lake & River Enhancement) Program to conduct a plant study to assist us in permitting as much treatment as the state allows, ensuring we have the necessary plant life to support the ecology of our lake. And most importantly, our membership support brought in $82,050 in membership dues! Each year, we hope to expand our membership and bring awareness to everyone in the Lake Manitou community. 2021 is right around the corner and we look forward to receiving your annual membership card so we can continue to budget for necessary current and future projects! See the link below to pay your annual membership dues.

Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy

2020 application for the Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy is now available
We are pleased to announce that the online application for the 2020 Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy is now available.
Learn to be a Leader in Watershed Management
Enroll now to improve your watershed management skills
If you’re interested in water quality and watersheds, consider applying for the 2020 Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy. The Academy, organized by Purdue University with support from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and other Indiana conservation agencies and organizations, gives participants the chance to:
Engage in basic and advanced level watershed topics covering leadership principles, watershed science, organization and communication, technology and GIS, stakeholder involvement techniques and policy skills

• Meet, learn from, and build a network of peers

• Interact with topic experts

• Gain strategies, skills, and resources for successful watershed management

• Earn a Professional Certificate in Watershed Management

  
  Enrollment deadline: November 8, 2019
  Web site: for the online application and information about the Academy, visit https://engineering.purdue.edu/watersheds/academy.html
  Academy Fee: Includes lodging and food for overnight and one-day workshops, plus all course materials. Payment due by December 6, 2019 for accepted applicants.
  

• Full cost: $1,250

• Soil and Water Conservation District & nonprofit staff and board members, self-funded participants: $750

• Additional scholarships may be available for applicants upon request: $375
  
  Format: Training includes three face-to-face group sessions and distance learning, online (approximately 3-4 hrs/week). The Academy runs from January to May, 2020. Specific workshop dates are January 8-9, March 31-April 1, and May 20, 2020.
  For more information and to fill out the application, please contact Sara Peel, speel@purdue.edu, or see the Academy Web Page http://engineering.purdue.edu/watersheds
  
  Sara Peel, CLM
  IWLA Coordinator
  speel@purdue.edu
  765-337-9100
  
  

Watershed Sampling Update

As you know, the Fulton County Soil & Water Conservancy is in the process of conducting a study on our 27,000 acre watershed. Samples have been taken and reported data is provided in the report below. The study will continue through the winter and we look forward the data and recommendations for projects that we can implement to improve the water quality coming into Rain Creek. Click below to open the full report.

2019 Aquatic Weed Treatment Update

The maps here show the areas which were treated by Clarke Aquatic this summer (7/24 & 8/15) per the DNR permits. The DNR based their permitting on the sonar biomapping performed earlier in the Spring. Click the map to open a larger view.

View fullsize

Lake Manitou Watershed Sampling - This Summer

Did you miss the Watershed Meeting on Monday? See the article from Wednesday’s Sentinel for details about the upcoming sampling.

Water Circulators Available

Kasco De-Icer/Water Circulators create significant current to create a clean and healthy water environment. These water circulators can:

• Eliminate stagnant water and foul odors

• Prevent accumulation of floating debris

• Reduce organic muck and silt build-up

• Help control mosquito growth

Click the LEARN MORE button for more information

Need help with a weedy shoreline?

Lake Paks are available at a discount to Members. These products are applied by the property owner and can treat up to 625 sq. ft. of shoreline.

Check with the DNR to confirm if a permit is necessary before treating your shoreline. See below for order form.

Hydrilla Eradication: 2006-2016

In 2006, Lake Manitou was infested with an invasive plant species called Hydrilla. Concerned about the impact on the environment, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources chemically treated the lake for a period of 10 years, virtually wiping out all plant life in Lake Manitou. Prior to that time, the naturally shallow lake had been slowly overtaken by both native and invasive plants, making it difficult to navigate and recreationally enjoy Lake Manitou. Boats would get weeds caught in their motors, and homeowners would spend weekends raking cut weeds from their shorelines.