This initiative was approved by the Board in concept last September. At the winter meeting the Board determined to implement the concept by establishing a separate fund within the existing PLC entity rather than by forming a new foundation as a separate corporate entity. The Executive Committee has been working with the Woods Fuller law firm to create appropriate documents for the fund. These documents will describe the Fund’s purpose, how donations to it will be handled, invested and managed, and will also describe and establish governance for an advisory committee to support the Fund’s mission and activities under the auspices of the Board. There is still much to talk about before we hit the pavement with this program, but we do have a name for the Fund. Subject to formal approval of the Board, the Fund will have a name that is descriptive of what the Fund is for: the PLC Watershed Protection Fund. For a somewhat more detailed description of the Fund, please review the following Point Paper serving as an internal talking piece to help guide the Board’s deliberations.
PLC Watershed Protection Fund

Dennis Skadsen reported the Tributary Study data is undergoing analysis and the final report is in preparation. He said there is ample data on Pickerel for the last 25 years to give perspective to this study, but little more than anecdotal information from before 1991. Data indicates an upward trend in the lake’s phosphorous load, of great significance to algal blooms (and why PLC has been asking cabin owners not to use fertilizers containing phosphorous); however, Dennis said recent stratification events, as have occurred each of the last four years, have triggered a chemical release of embedded phosphorous that complicates the problem of discerning what degree the upward trend in the phosphorous load is due to legacy phosphorous or new phosphorous coming in with runoff. Dennis said the lake ice this winter froze exceptionally clear. There has been little snow cover and as of the day of the most recent board meeting, no flow at the outlet. The Board also approved the Memorandum of Understanding with NEGLWP for 2016 water testing. The most recent report on water quality, released last fall, including comparison with other area lakes including Enemy Swim and Roy, can be found on the PLC web site. Pickerel Lake Conservancy Board

The South Dakota Game Fish & Parks Commission finalized new rules to help slow the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS). Several (AIS) are currently established in South Dakota or bordering states. While alarming, these threats are currently at relatively low levels, which provides us with an opportunity to prevent their spread. While environmental and economic impacts from Zebra Mussels, Eurasian Watermilfoil, Asian Carp, and Curly Pond Weed, among others, are being felt across the country, with your help we can limit their access to Pickerel Lake. The Pickerel Lake Conservancy will be launching an AIS Initiative for Pickerel Lake this summer in conjunction with GF&P resources. The AIS link will help you and guests become familiar with the new rules.
AIS Rules

In June of this year, Pickerel Lake was very clear with Secchi disc readings to 16 feet. On a calm day, the bottom of the lake and fish were easily visible. During July, the water turned cloudy, followed by days of thick green algae blooms, reducing clarity to near zero at times. What were the contributing factors for this dramatic change? During the spring we had several significant rainfall events, resulting in heavy runoff from the watershed. This provided the needed silicate to promote a significant diatom (think algae, phytoplankton) bloom, imparting a yellowish tint to the water. These diatoms were then consumed by a large population of zooplankton, which can completely filter the lake in an hour. That is when the lake became very transparent, allowing sunlight to to reach 50% of the water column. Warmer weather and more nutrient in runoff from continued rains, provided the perfect conditions for algae to grow in large portions of the lake. By this time, the younger fish had reduced the zooplankton population, leaving fewer to consume algae. If the lake then becomes nitrogen limited under these conditions, blue-green algae has an advantage over green algae since they can fix nitrogen (from the atmosphere) and grow very quickly. Blue-green algae give off a pungent, musty odor. These algae can then be pushed by the wind and form a thick sludge against the shoreline. When present, it is wise to stay out of the water, including family pets, as toxins can form. When algae decompose, the chlorophyll is lost, leaving a blue color and at times a milky-appearing scum as well. We have always had blue-green algae species in Pickerel Lake. The two species are microcystis and gleotrichia, which are both cyanobacteria. Microcystis is the species blooming right now. Gleotrichia has also occurred in the lake. This species causes swimmers rash or dermatitis. If the lake becomes nitrogen limited throughout the summer, blue greens will become the dominate species. For more information, click the EPA link on Cyanotoxins below. Many thanks to Dennis Skadsen for providing content.
CYANOTOXINS

Your PLC Store is now open featuring prints and PLC logo gear. Bob Butterbrodt generously donated many beautiful prints from his artistic collection and are featured in our initial offerings. New photographs and gear are still being added. Please submit your own Pickerel Lake-area pictures and we will try to make them available as well. Suggestions are welcome.
PLC Store

According to the National Climatic Data Center, this past April was the second coldest on record for South Dakota and the coldest April ever for North Dakota. This goes a long way in explaining the record late ice off date of May 10th, 2013. Thanks to the winter snow and much needed spring rains, the lake level is near normal for June and similar to where we started last summer. With a few timely rains and moderate temperatures, hopefully water levels this summer will meet everyone’s need for lake access.