Welcome to the 2024 Hayden Lake Watershed Annual Report
August 5, 2024
President Jan Wilkins welcomed and thanked our members and guests that attended the HLWA annual meeting. She also thanked Hayden Lake Country Club, and executive manager Les Hintz, for sponsoring our meeting. Jan introduced the Board: Geoff Harvey, president emeritus, Barb Neal, treasurer, and Will Neal, Vice President and technology officer. At large board members Gil Rossner, Shawn Hathaway, Todd Walker and Leda Kobziar. Jan mentioned that Leda is a professor of wildlife science at the University of Idaho.
This past year has been a busy one for HLWA. This is nothing new; over the last few years we have advocated for the future of the watershed on a variety of fronts. The watershed that surrounds Hayden Lake is about 60,000 acres, of which about 40,000 acres are Forest Service Lands. What happens almost anywhere on those 60,000 acres can affect Hayden Lake eventually. Fire, erosion, sedimentation, and draught all have an impact on lake water quality, and to those living in the watershed, not just lakeside residents.
To make this as reader friendly as possible, we have abbreviated some of the discussion points, with links to more detailed background notes for those interested in learning more.
Use the buttons below to jump to a favorite topic.
Jan Wilkins
HLWA President
WHERE WE HAVE BEEN AND WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISED
We led the efforts to have Honeysuckle Bay designated as a no wake zone. We led efforts to have a “no excessive wake zone” designated for Hayden Lake and resisted efforts to have that designation removed.
We supported the County’s Development Director, Mr. David Callahan, in his efforts to impose fines on habitual building code enforcement violators. We supported his plan to hire a PE or landscape architect to review plans prior to approval. We report perceived building code violations to the county and work to prevent code violations that allow sediment from getting into the lake. Use this link to view a list of projects that require permitting from the Kootenai County Building Department.
Use this link to view those projects that will require a site disturbance permit.
On another front, we led the successful efforts to derail potentially disastrous plans for a new boat launch in Honeysuckle Bay.
We repeatedly brought troublesome power outages on the south side of the lake to AVISTA’s attention. We are pleased to report that AVISTA, at our urging, recently completed burying the overhead lines that were downed during high wind events and causing outages. AVISTA received a grant for almost $500,000 to complete this important work. Last winter was the first in recent memory without lengthy outages. AVISTA has also recently completed a small re-route project on English Point Rd with underground cable, eliminating a long overhead span that has been problematic over the years. So, kudos to AVISTA for listening to our concerns and completing these projects.
Over the past 4 years, we have brought Forest Service and more recently EPA attention to sedimentation and contaminants flowing into Hayden Creek from an unlicensed shooting site on FSR 437. We urged the Forest Service to repair the cement berm erected by the WID two years ago, (with a contribution from our organization), which was removed during the Ridge Creek fire, and then further damaged by an ill-conceived effort to “clean up” the shooting site. The berm had been effective in containing runoff from the shooting site from running into Hayden Creek. The Forest service is now making efforts to restore the berm. The protection of Hayden Creek, our lake’s major tributary, is one of our highest priorities.
A Q&A SESSION WITH MIKE AHMER, IDL RESOURCE MANAGER
On another front, we have pressured the Idaho Department of Lands to enforce their boat garage regulations on an illegal boat garage building adjacent to Hayden Lake Rd. Mr. Mike Ahmer, Resource Supervisor, Navigable Waters from the Idaho Department of Lands, was the meeting’s featured speaker and he explained that this case is in litigation, with IDL taking a strong stance in opposition to the garage as it was built. Mr. Ahmer also described IDL permitting requirements and property transfer guidelines. He said that many buyers neglect to have their water and dock permits transferred to them.
In response to the members’ questions, Mr. Ahmer said that IDL has no authority over house boats. He also said that they have no responsibility for activities that may occur on sandbars on the lake, like the one on Mokins Bay.
He discussed the problem of abandoned docks that become navigational hazards. Although all docks must have their IDL number on them, it is easy to remove those numbers prior to setting them loose. There is no obvious solution to this problem.
He also told the audience that Hayden Lake was extremely fortunate to have HLWA and the Improvement District so active and effective. He said no other waterway in North Idaho is as fortunate.
ONLINE REPORTING OF EXCESSIVE WAKE AND BUILDING CODE VIOLATIONS
Jan expressed appreciation for our Vice President and technology officer, Mr. Will Neal, for managing our website and giving us the ability to track and report excessive wake violations and suspected building code violations. Reports to our website remain confidential, but essential information has been communicated to appropriate state and county agencies because of reports to our website. Another mailer will soon go out to remind the audience and their neighbors to report excessive wakes. The marine deputies use this data to pinpoint the “trouble spots” when they are on patrol. Our members cite excessive wake damage and safety hazards as their number one “hot button” concern. It is vital to report violations on our website, so that we can relay this to local authorities.
EDUCATION INITIATIVES
Our education efforts are ongoing. We have distributed more than 5000 flyers either by mail or by putting them on the windshields of boat trailers at the public marinas over the last 4 years. Most summer weekends, our volunteers are putting flyers out at the Honeysuckle and Sportsman Park boat launches. We could use some help. If anyone could spare an hour on a weekend even once a month, we would really appreciate it. Marine deputies have told us that boaters on this lake understand boating and wake rules better than on any other county waterway, and we think these education efforts have made the difference.
And thank you to the sheriff department folks who were with us: Under-sheriff Brett Nelson, and deputies Pat O’Neill and Jonathan Traw. Having a boat permanently docked on this lake has really been successful, and we appreciate a more visible marine patrol presence here.
We recently had a booth at Hayden Days and had a good response to our presence there. Thank you to Board member Shawn Hathaway for leading this education effort for our group.
We have also hosted public meetings and workshops about weed control and code enforcement. In fact, our first workshop held 5 years ago led to the existence of buoys on this lake, which are permitted, owned and maintained by the Watershed Improvement District.
PROJECTS "ON OUR DRAWING BOARD"
We are currently working on a “smart watering” mailer to Dalton Gardens, the lake’s largest permitted water user, and others around the lake who rely on lake water for irrigation. Geoff Harvey has calculated that if Dalton Gardens completely uses its water rights, the lake level could drop two feet annually. So practicing water conserving methods could have a positive impact on the lake.
We are working with the City of Hayden to replace the information kiosk at Honeysuckle Beach with a watershed association kiosk, to provide important information to lake users including boating safety and wake regulations, a large bathymetric map of the lake, and tributes to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the health of the lake. Mr. Gerry House, who founded the sewer district, Mrs. Gloria Lund, longtime HLWA board member and protection advocate, and Mr. Todd Walker, the Lake manager and past president of the HLWA, will be featured. HLWA Board member Gil Rosner has been leading this effort if you have questions or suggestions.
Our organization is active in efforts to secure a grant for trail and parking lot improvements at the Panhandle National Forest English Point Trails. These trails are the most heavily used in our watershed, and in fact, in the county. The original trails have not stood up well to runoff and erosion, made worse because of the logging and clearing done there two years ago. For more information, please visit the FONIT table. President Emeritus Geoff Harvey is leading the efforts from our group, along with Karen Kimball of the Backcountry Horsemen Association. If the grant request is approved, they will need to raise $10,000 in matching funding, of which about $5000 has already been pledged.
We have been awarded a grant from DEQ to re-vegetate mudbog areas at the junction of FSR 437 and Ohio Match Rd. next Spring. We will “recycle” some of the large cedar logs that have been removed from the lake during the WID debris removal program. The logs will be secured with metal spikes, fill will be added, and seedlings will be planted between the logs. We are hoping that we can find volunteers from our membership to plant the seedlings. If you can volunteer to help, please contact us. The mudbug areas currently contribute sediment to Hayden Creek due to their proximity to the creek.
ALGAE BLOOMS, EURASIAN MILFOIL AND THE NORTH ARM COMMITTEE
Recently we learned that a blue green algae bloom was identified in the north arm of the lake. Panhandle Health notified lakeside dwellers that could be negatively affected by this situation, and we also sent out an alert to all our members. While the blue green algae bacteria are always present in water all around the lake, the conditions that we’ve had lately lower water levels due to a disappointing winter snowpack, and high temperatures can cause a bloom occurrence. This is unlikely, but potentially a problem in all the large shallow areas of the lake, so we all need to be aware of and report suspicious algae if you see it.
The Idaho State Department of Agricultural conducted treatments to control the Eurasian milfoil weed proliferations around the lake mid-July. At our meeting, we had Ms. Jenny Roman and Mr. McKay Curriden answer questions about weeds on the lake and what their studies are finding. They were also prepared to address the spread of Quagga Mussels and what their impact could have on our lake.
Geoff Harvey gave a short presentation about lake water quality. The Improvement District has been monitoring the main lake for the last 6 years. Geoff said that overall, the water quality is excellent and meets or exceeds the groups’ goals. The exception to this is the water quality in the north arm, which he said is a result of the shallow water depths.
Board member Gil Rossner and Jan Wilkins have been serving on a committee, chaired by Mr. Tom Yount, of the Watershed Improvement District, studying the conditions in the north arm of the lake. Mr. Yount could not be here tonight, but Jan encouraged attendees to go by the North Arm table, anchored by the Watershed Improvement District Communications and Outreach Manager Mary Ann Stoll to learn more about the project. The Improvement District has also been awarded a grant to study water quality in the north arm as part of the DEQ “emerging contaminants” program.
THE WATERSHED INPROVEMENT DISTRICT
Jan then introduced the Watershed Improvement District Chairman Mr. Steve Myer, who expressed appreciation for Geoff’s scientific analysis and other major contributions over the last 20+ years. He presented a plaque with a 3D replica of the watershed attached. He also noted that Geoff’s book is a tremendous source of information and is available from Amazon.
Steve also recognized WID employees, Mary Ann Stoll and Todd Walker, for their hard work, going above and beyond expectations. Jan noted that the Hayden Lake Watershed Association is an all-volunteer organization, unlike the Watershed Improvement District, and that it does not have any employees, although both Mary Ann and Todd make significant contributions as HLWA volunteers.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Jan expressed appreciation to the meeting attendees, and thanked our agency representatives, who generously donated their time. Our agency partners are invaluable to the future of this watershed; here tonight: The Hayden Lake Watershed Improvement District, the ISDA, Idaho Department of Lands, and the Kootenai County Sheriff’s department Marine Patrol division and the Department of Environmental Quality, (DEQ.) Not present, but keys to our future: Kootenai County Development department, The city of Hayden Lake, The US Forest Service, AVISTA, and others. She encouraged attendees to visit with experts at the tables around the room.
Our most valuable partners are our members, who have been generous with your thoughts and letters, your presence at important meetings, and your funding of our initiatives. Jan renewed our annual request for more volunteers. Our organization’s future will depend on expanding our active volunteer base.
Three of our members provided donor-advised grants of several thousand dollars, and we are so proud and grateful for their faith in us. Jan noted that our Treasurer, Barb Neal, can tell you if your dues are up to date! Jan complimented Barb for all her hard work as Treasurer and for keeping us on track and organized.
In addition, on display there was a poster of a bathymetric map of the watershed, produced by Mary Ann Stoll and Lake Manager Mr. Todd Walker of the Watershed Improvement District, Mark’s Marine, DEQ and others. The HLWA is making a 20 X 30 frameable print available for a donation of $20.00.