Hudson Lake Conservation Association Public

Agenda

1. Welcome and Introductions – Kevin Smith

2. Update on Dredging Program – Kevin Smith

3. Update on Weed Control Program – Aquatic Weed Control

4. Partnership with Hudson Township and Amazon Web Services – Austin Kosinski

5. Update on Lake Level Management – Georgette Joyce

6. Invitation to join the Hudson Lake Conservation Association Board and/or Project Teams – Jim Dondlinger

7. Financial Summary and Request for Contributions – Jim Dondlinger

Welcome and Introductions– Kevin Smith

HLCA President Kevin Smith welcomed all to HLCA’s annual public meeting. He introduced himself and the HLCA Board members in attendance: Georgette Joyce and Jim Dondlinger. Board member Autin Kosinski was unable to attend.

Update on Dredging Program – Kevin Smith

A dredging study was done in 2021. The study can be found on the HLCA website. He covered the potential sites identified and how the public ramp (site 1) and the southern channel connecting the west and east basins (site 4) were selected for dredging. Site 1 is completed. Site 4 is targeted for completion by Thanksgiving. Though the lake is low, it has benefited the future depth of site 4 in that more muck was removed to meet contract depths struck. The extra muck caused a delay since the sediment site had to be shored up to hold the larger quantity of muck.

Grants for future dredging will be sought. These are submitted early January.

Update on Weed Control Program – AWC Drew Schermerhorn 

Drew from Aquatic Weed Control (AWC) provided handouts for the areas treated for EMW, SSW and phragmites. The grants to HLCA from Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) were less than prior years – at a lesser maintenance level. The LARE program is funded by boat registrations. So instead of a full study we did a cheaper option of a Tier 2 Survey to determine areas for treatment for invasive species. We treated invasive species: Starry Stonewort – 3 times and EWM once. Due to timing and funds, we did only 1 treatment of SSW in 2024, more treatments were needed. With Amazon Web Services (AWS) grants we were able to do the 3 SSW treatments this year. We balanced the funding and went with a cheaper product for EWM this year. It lasts 1 year instead of 2. We had used the more expensive treatment in 2023 and were able to skip treating EWM in 2024. We did what we could afford. Again, thank goodness for AWS grants to help us make up for LARE’s grant reductions. The AWS grants also allowed us to treat a natural species – phragmites - whose growth needed to be better controlled in 2 areas – as it was clogging lake navigation channels. 

Discussions about treatments ensued. It is all about what we can afford to do each year based on funding/donations/grants and the AVMP/Tier 2 survey results. AWC is available to help us determine what to prioritize. 

There will be no meeting with LARE since we only did a tier 2 survey vs a full AVMP.

Partnership with Hudson Township and Amazon Web Services – Georgette Joyce

HLCA was able to partner with Hudson Township and AWS to Energize the Park – the park is located off the lake on the east side. $10,000 was secured from AWS for bringing electricity to the park. Now they can bring lighting and other needs to the park. 

AWS had a Fall Community Event in South Bend. Georgette Joyce attended and was able to meet more Amazon contacts as well as discuss collaboration with Principal Justin Heinold of New Prairie High School to engage students to be future Hudson Lake stewards. Georgette also spoke with the New Carlisle Fire Department about bringing better fire protection to our lake and its surrounding community. A reservoir option could be used for a closer place to refill tanker trucks. Dry hydrants can take advantage of lake water in fighting fires. Years ago, a dry hydrant used to be at the end of Cottage Grove Ave on the southwest side of the lake.   

Update on Lake Level Management – Georgette Joyce

Current and past lake levels are available on the Hudson Lake Conservation Association Website. The ToltHawk device is our data source, and it records levels 24x7. Our website has graphs of the lake levels, along with NOAA data that you can access. The graph is updated monthly. In 2024 we lost 12-15 inches of water in the spring/early summer due to the drain being opened and evaporation. The drain continues to be closed. Despite spring rain, the lake is more than 6 inches below the weir. 

We have not serviced the drain valves yet this year. Last done 10/30/24.

The Hudson Lake Drain Management Plan agreement was signed on April 1, 2025. We are now responsible managing the drain – its service, opening and closing.  

HLCA continues to attend the LaPorte Drainage Board monthly meetings where a Hudson Lake Report is provided. We were able to get the Taylor Ditch inspected and as a result, the ditch was cleared and re-graded in places. This was accomplished through the St Joseph & LaPorte Drainage board – joining them for inspections (11/13/24) and follow-up throughout 2025 for maintenance. We have a process in place for communicating issues with drainage boards, landowners, and the DNR. Here are graphs from our website and drain status from 3/25/24 – 3/27/25.

Invitation to join the Hudson Lake Conservation Association Board (HLCA) and/or Project Teams – Jim Dondlinger

• Jim encouraged those present to become active in the HLCA, join the HLCA board or look into HLCA current/proposed projects: 

• Dredging (Sediment Removal)

• Lake Level Measurement

• HLCA Website Maintenance

• Fundraising

• Engaging Local and State Officials Support

• Drain Management

• Community Lake Watch

• Invasive Species Control

• Serving on the HLCA Board or Being a Project Manager

• Engaging Academia

Financial Summary and Request for Contributions – Jim Dondlinger

Jim covered high-level expenses that the association has with regard to ongoing administration, the current drain management, invasive species, and dredging efforts as well as lake level management equipment. He encouraged people to support HLCA with the suggested annual $50 donation. Regardless, whatever people can afford or more sizable donations above that are much needed and appreciated. The success of the efforts to keep Hudson Lake healthy, safe, and usable for us and generations to come all takes time, effort, and money. Please be generous. 

The meeting was adjourned. 

We need rain!