BLACK OAK LAKE RIPARIAN OWNERS ASS0CIATION
 Land O· Lakes, Wisconsin 54540 
ANNUAL REPORT 
To Homeowners and Interested Parties 
Fall, 1981 
The Board of Directors met several times during the past year and discussed a variety or items. We thought you would like to have a report of the year's high-lights. Also enclosed is a current list or your Board Members and the positions they hold on the Board. Please reel free to write to any Board Member at any 
time. 
ANNUAL MEETING - Our chorus members gathered around the piano in the Town Hall and brought our meeting to order on Saturday morning, the 4th or July. Attendance was very good. The reading or the minutes from the 1980 meeting was waived. Treasurer's Report was read; current balance is $351.00. 
LAKE LEVEL - Early arrivals at the lake this year noticed the water level was extremely high. In addition to snow melt and spring rains, there was speculation that the underground springs which feed Black Oak were more active this year. As discussions around the Lake grew, the Town responded quickly by ordering excavating work on the trench at the Public Beach. This trench, dug many years ago, had become clogged and was quite inoperative in controlling higher water levels in Black Oak. Within a couple days, a strong flow of water could be observed passing through the trench, flowing through the culvert which runs under Highway B and on into Lake George, from where it continues through lowlands meeting the Wisconsin River. After several weeks we could see a marked difference in the lake level. 
WATER TESTING - During the past several years, many property owners have expressed concern over the quality or water in Black Oak Lake. Last year an unofficial study indicated we really have no pollution problem. This year conclusive tests were completed by the D.N.R. with favorable results. On August 20th a D.N.R. water biologist spent most of the day on Black Oak, collecting a total of twenty-six water samples and making a visual inspection or the entire shoreline. Also a Dissolved Oxygen/Temperature Profile was conducted, which indicated the lake is thermally stratified and has good oxygen levels down to a depth of 55 feet. The details or this test are interesting, and will be discussed a bit more thoroughly at our Annual Meeting next summer. The D.N.R. biologist feels Black Oak does not have a sewage system 
AN ASSOCIATION OF CONCERNED PROPERTY OWNERS 

problem, with most of the shoreline meeting today's standards for development. There is evidence of moderate fertility. All lakes are gradually becoming more fertile due to natural and human sources. The former is difficult to control and therefore every effort should be made to limit human sources. These include private sewage, land fertilization, increased siltation from vegetation removal, and even such things as bathing in the lake with the use of shampoos and soaps. In summary, the Black Oak Lake Survey indicated only two questionable properties which will be referred to the Vilas County Zoning Office by the D.N.R. for further study. On the whole, we are riparian owners on one of the finest lakes and now have a "benchmark" study to use in future years. 
FISH STOCKING In_following a fairly rigorous schedule of fish stocking over the past several years, the D.N.R. continued its plan this year by adding 10,000 walleye. It was through the efforts of several BOLROA members that led the D.N.R. to actively pursue a consistent fish stocking program during these years. To date these stockings have included many thousands of walleye and three times as many lake trout. Still, we have a very challenging lake for the fisherman. 
WATER SPORTS - There were a few added activites in this department. A slalom course was laid out along the north shore last winter with holes drilled in the ice, anchors set at precise intervals and buoys attached in early summer. The buoys do not indicate a restricted area, and of course people are free to fish in the area. There were no reported problems with anyone, which indicates common courtesy is alive and well on Black Oak Lake. Later in summer a Parasail could be seen flying high above the tree line around the lake. This is a parachute with a harness and tow line. Many lake residents enjoyed "flying", including fathers, their children and grandchildren. Black Oak also hosted a sailboat race this year, and several residents mentioned an annual event would be most welcome. 
4th of JULY - The boat parade this year added a lot to the day's festivities. Followed by a synchronized lighting of flares at night, the 4th offered lake residents a celebration even Francis Scott Key would have been proud of. For 1982 plans will include a special parade for decorated pontoon boats with a traveling trophy awarded for the best. A suggestion was also made that BOLROA have a boat float in the town parade. Flares again will be handed out for lighting at 10:30 P.M. Details will be finalized at our Annual Meeting. 
ANNUAL PICNIC - The picnic this year was hosted by Lolly Truss. Again the ski show provided enjoyment for everyone, while the big surprise was a mystery man with a black mask who gracefully parachuted into the water amidst great applause. The ski show together with the picnic require good team effort. Appreciation goes out to all who helped. 
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LOON UPDATE - At the Annual Meeting in 1980 BOLROA members were presented with a very informative program about the Loon. Through public participation of lake residents the loon study continued and included here is an update and summary of the Jng01ng program. 

LOONS IN WISCONSIN 

Wisconsin Projet:t Loon Watch estimates there are about 2000 loons in the state. Based on data compiled over the past four years, loon productivity is on the increase in Vilas and Oneida Counties. 
Other facts about these unique birds apply to common loons throughout the country. Some interesting items include: 
~ Loons can fly up to 65 mph 
• Average wing span is five feet 

" Diving Iocms can go down 200 feet • Diet includes fish, frogs and insects 
<il> To become airborne, loons need a Iff mile stretch 
@ Loon calls indicate aggression (tremolo, yodel), curiosity (hoot), or loneliness (wail) 
G Migration usually means flying to the Atlantic or Gulf Coasts from November to April 
co Loons are the most prehistoric birds on earth today-an ancestry dating back 110 million years 
« Loons are closely related to reptiles on the evolutionary chart 
•• Average life span is 20 years 

LAKE FEDERATION - BOLROA was approached by the Wisconsin Federation of Lakes, Inc., which is an association of riparian associations. A representative of the Federation discussed membership possibilities with BOLROA board members at a summer meeting. The Federation addresses many of our mutual issues, while working with state agencies. BOLROA'S question is: Do we need this much organization? Any member is welcome to comment or discuss membership possibilities. We may have further discussion at our 1982 Annual Meeting. 

DOGS - Your Board heard several complaints from joggers this summer. You know your dog doesn't bite, but the jogger never is sure. And there were some bites reported. So let's try and follow the township ordinance - tie your pet - especially if it likes to run after people. 

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ZONING - Attached to this year's Report are general guidelines to zoning regulations as they apply to individual lots. 
Members often ask questions which these guidelines should answer. Any specific question should be referred to the Vilas County Zoning Office. In other zoning matters, BOLROA was advised of two different hearings. Results were favorable to our intentions of riparian respect. 
MEMBERSHIP/DUES - BOLROA continues with a stabilized membership, representing a large percentage of lake property owners. Annual dues are still $5.00 and have never inflated. Anyone who has not paid their dues for the current year can do so by sending their check to BOLROA, c/o Jerry Olk, Treasurer, 1283 Covey Lane, Eagle River, Wisconsin. 54521. 
HISTORY - Last call for history! If you have some, please send to Ed Hook, P.O. Box 9969, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80932. We have many contributions to date that all will enjoy reading. These include everything from family trees to anecdotes. 
BOARD ELECTIONS - Thanks are given to Gordon Hinners, Bill Berg, Nancy Frawley, and Ron Kuhlman, who completed their terms of office at the Annual Meeting. The new Board met later in summer, and officers were elected for the next term. Attached to this Report is a current listing of all Board Members and Officers. 
We hope this Annual Report has been helpful in bringing all association members up to date on BOLROA happenings. Questions or comments can be addressed to any Board Member. 
Winter is now settling into the Northwoods. Black Oak has already gone through its change of season, which means the waters in the Epilimnion range have descended into the Hypolimnion range, causing complete erosion of the thermocline. Sound interesting? More on this at our 1982 Annual Meeting. Have a good winter. We’ll see you next summer. 
Sincerely, 
 
                                             David J. Hoffman 
, 
President, 
Board of Directors 
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