GENERAL INFO
PROTECTING THE LAKE
Fertilizer Use
Recently enacted state legislation restricts the use of phosphorus based fertilizers to new lawns and golf courses only. In addition, Bloomfield Twp Ordinance 621 monitors commercial fertilizer applicators in compliance with the new state law. For more information including a listing of lake-safe fertilizer applicators and retail outlets, visit the Bloomfield Twp. website (click here) or go to bloomfieldtwp.org and enter “FERTILIZER” in the search box. You may also contact the Bloomfield Township Water & Sewer Dept. at 433-7731. Please be aware that as riparians, the absolute best eco-friendly answer to the question of lawn fertilizer use is NOT TO USE ANY LAWN FERTILIZER weed growth, lesser water quality and algae blooms. Using lake water to irrigate your lawns and gardens assures a natural nutrient rich fertilization every time you water and it’s very cost effective! However, if you must use fertilizer, please choose a no phosphorus/slow nitrogen release formula and do not apply it within 25 feet of the lake. |
Public Access
Square Lake is surrounded by private property and is intended for the enjoyment of resident riparians and their families and guests. There is no public access on our lake. Nevertheless, unauthorized individuals have gained access to our lake in the past. If you see someone you don’t recognize using our lake or if you see anyone abusing the lake in any way, be sure to write down the license number or boat registration number and then contact Bloomfield Twp. Police at 248-433-7755. Our complaints will be investigated, but it is up to us to assist the police in the process of identifying the perpetrators. Please let an SLA officer know about the incident as well so we can alert others. See this article about lake access in Oakland County that mentions Square Lake (click here.) Water Quality There are no specific readings or reports which are routinely performed to determine water quality. If someone is interested in taking on the duties to routinely measure our water clarity, please contact the SLA president. Occasionally, however, the Department of Health will take samples at the “public beaches.” For Square Lake, those measurements take place by the condos on the North East corner of the lake. It is a private beach, but because it serves multiple dwellings, they must test it periodically. If readings indicate high levels of ecoli, it will be posted on the announcements section of the website and notice will be emailed to those on the distribution list. Rouge River Watershed Square Lake is a part of the Rouge River watershed. To read more about it, read the website for the Alliance of Rouge Communities (click here.) Hours of Operations for Boats There are no restrictions on time except for those associated with towing a passenger, which may only occur during daylight hours per state law. |
BOATing SAFETY
THIS MEANS YOU!!
Basic Rule That Novice Boaters Frequently Violate
You must TRAVEL COUNTER CLOCKWISE when driving on the lake. Except for when you are picking up a skiier who fell, you should NEVER be traveling clockwise. That is like driving on the wrong side of the street. Please do not be offended if your neighbors call you on this rule -- it is essential to safety. See diagram at bottom of page to see the "traffic lane" and direction in which you should travel. Enforcement on the Water The Oakland County Sheriff's Marine Patrol and Water Rescue Unit has responsibility for patrolling the lakes in Oakland County. You can reach them at 248-858-1664. They have twenty-three patrol boats, two rapid response jump boats, a hovercraft, six all-terrain vehicles, and four snowmobiles assigned to the unit manned by a 12 member, highly trained, dive and rescue team. The team has advanced technology gear and specialized training. |
Boaters' Safety Class Required
It is recommended that anyone driving a watercraft on the lake become fully acquainted with the rules governing the operation of watercraft. There are two ways to do that: review the Boaters’ Safety manual and attend a class to obtain their boat safety certificate from the State of Michigan. The Michigan Boater's Manual can be found by following this link: (https://www/boat-ed.com/assets/pdf/handbook/mi_handbook_entire.pdf) There are three ways to attend Boat Safety classes:
Boats Allowed
Towing In addition to adhering to laws as they apply to all vessels, boat operators towing a person(s) on water skis, a tube, a surfboard, or a similar device must obey these laws.
Who May Operate A Boat Those less than 12 years of age:
Watch Your Distance Improper Distance is not maintaining a proper distance while operating a vessel or towing a person. Since Square Lake is small, we have to be really careful about distance. The easiest way to make your neighbor mad is to drive your boat too close to them. To maintain a proper distance when you are operating at greater than “slow, no wake speed”, the vessel or persons being towed must not be within 100 feet of:
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OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF
DON'T Quit NOW
Swimmers and non-motor boaters
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Disclaimer
Square Lake Association hereby disclaims any responsibility related to your interpretation of the regulations. You are ultimately responsible for knowing the rules as they exist under the Marine Safety Act. Call the Marine Unit 248-858-7831 if you have questions. Traffic Lane for Motor Boats (Diagram Below) |