2010 looks to be a challenging year for BLHA. We anticipate the lake will be held at the current ten-foot-below-full-pool level for most of the year while the city prepares their plans to repair the dam. That's right, the city doesn't expect any repairs to begin until the latter part of the year (but please continue to refer to the city for information regarding the "dam plans" – their website is a great place to start: www.berkeley-lake.com).

When repairs to the dam do begin, the lake will probably be drawn down even farther – perhaps emptied. In fact, we've been informed by several environmental and ecology experts that it might be best for the ecology of the lake if we drain the lake completely, remove all the fish, and then restart the lake ecology with a known mix of the proper types and sizes of fish varieties.

Full recovery would take several years, but with proper management, we can return the lake to a real trophy fishing lake as we have had in the past. The current overstock situation with too many small bass – and little else – has been problematic, and has resisted several efforts to restore the proper balance. Of course, all of this depends on the final resolution of the plans to repair the dam, so your BLHA board will continue to investigate and study this situation, and as always your thoughts and opinions are welcomed.

While the lake is down, the BLHA is planning a large silt removal project. Thanks to all of you who have contributed additional funds with your 2010 dues to help this effort. Over ten thousand "additional" dollars have already been contributed, and as most of you know, we've been saving money in our silt fund for many years. Excavating silt while the lake is down is expected to be more cost effective than dredging while the lake is at full pool. Several quotes for such excavation have already been obtained, and the board continues to research and plan this important project.

Of course, silt arrives in our lake by several methods. Point sources such as poorly managed developments are just one method, and the BLHA has always monitored the developments within our watershed to minimize these point sources and to even obtain a legal remedy, when required, to stop unscrupulous developers. With much of the watershed now developed, these sources are becoming fewer and (let's hope) less of a problem.

Another source of silt is natural siltation. Over time, Mother Nature will try to turn our lake into Berkeley Meadow. With no one to blame (or sue), the BLHA must develop a long-term plan and a realistic budget for periodic silt removal.

The current project has reminded everyone that silt removal is very expensive. The pre-2010 savings rate was only about $12,500 per year, and the estimates that have been obtained for the current project have ranged to over half a million dollars. Our current saving rate is simply not enough to remove all the silt that has accumulated over the years. Proposals were made and approved at the 2010 annual meeting to both increase the BLHA dues and to institute a boat ownership fee (per owner – not per boat!) in future years that will increase the annual savings rate to over $30,000 per year.

While it is impossible to predict the cost of silt removal in 2020 or 2030, everyone at the meeting agreed that this is a step in the right direction. Please be aware due to inflation and other factors, additional increases may be necessary from time to time.

On a lighter note, just because the lake is down, does not mean we cannot have fun during the year ahead and to make sure of it, we are planning some great events including the beach opening BLFF and the spring and fall membership meeting/parties.

We have some wonderful plans for improvements at the beach. The membership approved the building of both a "real bathroom" and an open-air pavilion at the January membership meeting. The bathroom project is already underway, and will include separate men and women's facilities, as well as a small storage area. In accordance with the membership's tentative approval, we must raise additional funds before the pavilion project can be started, so please be on the lookout for fundraising activities this year, as your board attempts to fund this project.

We have already done some work to extend the boat ramp, and we expect to have it functional for the boating season. An idea has been proposed to position a floating dock just off the picnic grounds, with an access ramp to the shore, for the docking of those boats that are still in deep water, or that are brought in via trailer. Assuming we can achieve this on a limited budget – we will plan to do so. We also plan to provide a temporary means of docking boats at the beach area.

Finally, we will be trucking in additional sand to extend the existing beach down to the new waterline and beyond for swimming. As I joked at the annual meeting, "we've doubled the size of the beach" — so please realize that we still have some excellent facilities to enjoy, even in a year where the lake may not live up to its "full" potential.