Valley Shores Residents,

The HOA Board is aware there is currently an algae bloom that is being blown to the windblown side of the lake daily as the wind changes direction, however with our lake treatment budget exhausted and in excess to the amount of $1300 we have elected not to perform further lake treatments the remainder of the year.  Each treatment cost $2000.  Rob from Nebraska Lake Management believes that the bloom will dissolve with the cooler temperatures, some precipitation and wind or wave action.  Rob stated that this year has been a difficult year with the algae due to phosphorus levels.  The high temps, low winds, drought like conditions, possible lawn herbicide runoff and the large number of year round ducks are all contributing factors. Please do not swim in a blue green algae bloom.

Looking at the factors that we can control we want to ensure that the herbicide that we or our lawn companies use does not contain phosphorous.  The second thing that we can control as a community is the duck population.  Those individuals that are feeding the ducks must stop.  We are not referring to instances where your kids or grandkids occasionally give a duck bits of bread to interact with nature, but we are referring to buckets of corn/feed .  This is not helping the ducks, as nature provides all the food and nutrients that wild ducks need to survive and migrate.  Feeding the ducks is creating a situation where the ducks and their offspring are dependent on your handout .The ducks will not migrate/leave as nature intended if they are being provided a food source year round. The population will continue to grow and so will the amount of duck feces.  Duck feces can contain E Coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can cause pets and people to get sick.  It also contributes phosphorous into the lake which is the fuel for Blue Green Algae.

The HOA Board is going to introduce steps in order to deter residents from feeding ducks.
First Violation – Education of the rules and expectations of Valley Shores Community
Second Violation- $500 Fine
Third Violation- Suspension of Lake and Boating privilege for the remainder of the 12 Month Period

 

Valley Shores HOA Board
Craig Millius
Jimmy Dean
Eric Gottuso
Greg Harr
Gregg Englert

Members at Large
Tim Militti
Joe Sedlacek