LAKE OWASSA - "Our Little Piece of Heaven"

Dead Fish in the Lake

Over the past week and weekend, many lake members have inquired about floating dead fish in the lake. After conducting a shoreline survey by boat on Saturday, August 1st, many of the affected species included largemouth bass, crappie bass and yellow perch. While concerning, the fish mortality seems relatively low at this moment in time and likely due to elevated water temperatures. With multiple days above 90 degrees so far this summer and intense sunshine over the water in July, water temperatures have likely risen to the upper range of fish temperature tolerance. Very warm surface waters, coupled with a clear water column (allowing deeper water to warm) and added recreational fishing activity due to the quarantine, has brought about additional stress to the fish population and increased accidental fish mortality. Other lakes and waterbodies have been experiencing a similar situation as water temperatures rise and usage of these waterbodies increase. We will continue to monitor this situation and be in contact with our lake management professionals. We thank all the members who readily brought this concern to our attention and will keep the membership informed should new information and/or conditions transpire.

NOTICE

In response to the pandemic the LOCA General Membership Meeting will be held virtually on a platform such as Zoom. Voting will be exclusively through ballots mailed to voting members in advance. 

There are two ways candidates for the LOCA Board of Governors can appear on the printed ballot for our August 30, 2020 meeting: through nomination by the Nominating Committee or by petition signed by 10 members. The Nominating Committee has nominated Larry Putera (H-27) for President, Peg Mullins (C-02) for Vice-President, Caren Berei (J-05) and Andy Retz (H-35) for two Members of the Board. To allow sufficient time for printing and mailing completed petitions with 10 signatures for additional nominations must arrive to the LOCA Secretary by July 24 to be included on the ballot. 

LOCA Nominating Committee

E-News   6/26/20

 LOCA recreational water quality report

Attached please find the results of the water testing completed on June 24.  As you can see, no algae blooms were detected but the measurements for E.Coli were disappointing.

We have a significant goose population whose droppings can cause a problem.  Just a reminder  - when cleaning your swim float, do not push the goose droppings into the lake.  Dispose of the waste offsite of the lake.

Our member population has increased over the past several months with many seasonal or weekend members finding the lake environment a safer place to socially distance and/or quarantine.   Please be especially aware of your septic  - when was it last pumped or repaired if necessary.

The summer season is in full swing as we head into the July 4^th weekend.  We encourage all members to do what they can to keep Lake Owassa as clean and as safe as possible.  

Reminder:  Please do not feed the deer.  Some members have commented that the deer are becoming more and more unfazed by the nearness of humans.  

Since deer are carriers of Lyme disease, Ehrlichosis, and Anaplasmosis it's really a bad idea to let them get too used to people and pets.

June 25, 2020 E-News

 SEVERAL REMINDERS:

Although NJ allows some fireworks to be used, LOCA prohibits fireworks aimed over our water from any LOCA property-including private docks or floats. If you see anyone shooting fireworks over or into the lake you are to call and notify the police at 973-383-1514.  

LOCA encourages members to check for dead trees near your shoreline! It may be a good idea to remove them before they fall and do damage to your docks, boats, and property.  It becomes a real problem when they fall into our lake as we have no equipment or expertise to remove them.

Are your 2020 stickers on ALL boats and paddleboards??? They should be on both sides of each boat. Purple stickers are to be on the small boats and paddleboards. The Yellow ones should be on boats with a motor 25 HP or greater. Violations will be issued if the Patrolman finds you are not compliant!

Reminder-when pulling tubers, water-skiers, or wake boarders-Donuts (making circles) are NOT permitted.

Have a safe, healthy summer season!

CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION REGARDING LAKE OWASSA

Saturday, April 4, 2020

The Lake Owassa Board of Governors met on April 2nd via ZOOM and wishes to inform the lake members of LOCA’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic.  It appears that social distancing will be required well into the summer months.  To comply with these new regulations and to keep our membership safe, all LOCA-sponsored meetings and activities are on hold until further notice. This includes the June LOCA General Meeting, the Buddy Bass Fishing Contest, Kid’s Sunny Contest, 4^th of July Boat Parade, LOCA picnic, Sailboat Regatta, Golf Outing, and Wine and Cheese Party.  The fish weigh stations around the lake will also be closed. 

In addition, for the safety of all our members, the island will be closed and there will not be a porta-potty delivered this summer unless the public health guidelines for gatherings are changed.  Use of the Community Swim Dock is also prohibited. To prevent its use, we will not be installing its ladder.  We are also prohibiting boat “tie-ups” until further notice.

Please follow the state order on social distancing on your own floats, swim area, and boats. 

When you use masks and gloves, be sure to dispose of them properly—not in the lake! (We have already found masks and gloves in the water!)

The Lake Patrolman will remind you of the safety for all of us when you follow simple social distancing.  He has been authorized by the Board to stop and separate anyone who forgets! 

Please use local stores and restaurants, and continue to follow suggested policies—stay at least 6 feet apart, wear masks, and gloves where appropriate. 

Of course when things change, we will happily inform you via E-news.

The best way to understand how we will get through this will be by assuming that you have the virus and want to protect your neighbors.  Lake Owassa is a lovely place for our members to sequester.  Many of our members who normally would arrive later in the spring are already here.  Let’s do this together and safely!

Note:  Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 107 directing all residents to stay at home until further notice.  The Order provides for certain exceptions, such as:  obtaining essential goods and services; seeking medical attention; visiting family or close friends; reporting to work; and engaging in outdoor activities.  The Order also prohibits all gatherings of individuals, such as parties, celebrations, or other social events.  When in public, individuals must practice social distancing and stay at least six feet apart whenever possible, excluding immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners.  The Governor’s Order further directs the closure of all non-essential businesses to the public.  The list of essential and nonessential businesses can be found on the State of New Jersey website.

Loca E-news   October 3, 2019

RE:  Additional Email Addresses

In view of recent events and our need as the Board of Governors to contact our membership, we are interested to know if you would like to add additional email addresses to our contact list.  These email addresses are used solely for communication purposes regarding lake conditions and are not added to the directory or any other communication venue.

If any adult family member who regularly uses the lake and wants to receive the alerts or e-news directly, please include those email addresses in a reply to this email.  Thank you

Natural Poison Ivy Treatment

  1 Cup salt

  1 Gallon vinegar

  8 drops liquid dish detergent

Combine salt and vinegar and heat until salt dissolves.  Cool, add detergent.  Pour into spray bottle or pour directly on poison ivy.

Be careful where sprayed as the mixture kills all vegetation.