Shoal markers report from director steve latto

The LWCA provides and maintains a total of 17 courtesy shoal markers in various locations on the lake. The markers are fitted with solar-powered lights to assist boaters. The markers are deployed on the lake as soon a practically possible after “ice-out” and removed in early November. Mike Watson is currently the Shoal Marker Custodian, and we thank him for his hard work.

It’s not always an easy job to keep track of the markers over the course of cottaging season, as high water levels and inclement weather (with high winds) can cause the markers to break loose or turn “turtle”. 

2019 was a year of very high water during the  spring, and our markers took a beating. We lost 3 and rescued another 2. We did a repair on the marker off of Sprackett’s before ice out. 

The 2020 cottage season is off to a good start. The markers have all been installed and are operational. As per every other year, we will replace two of the older lights with two new lights. Once authorized by the board, we will replace the marker in Otter Lake with the vertical standing white newer style, which will be drilled and anchored into the rock.

We continue to be thankful to cottagers who report when markers have gone missing or the lights malfunction. Markers are replaced as soon as practically possible once Mike is made aware and is back up at the lake.