Welcome to the highly anticipated 2023 summer season at Higgins Lake. The Higgins Lake Swimmers Itch Organization (HLSIO) is gearing up for a productive summer, having already completed our Canada Goose control program for this year. While it is impossible to regulate every goose that visits our lake, we are dedicated to reducing their population. Each goose residing in the lake contributes to an excessive nutrient problem, equivalent to two 50-pound bags of fertilizer.
This summer, we will continue our efforts to study and track reported cases of Swimmer’s Itch, aiming to gather valuable data that may reveal patterns and provide insights for future strategies to minimize the occurrence of this issue.
HLSIO is also excited to sponsor a research study focused on determining the gestation period of new parasites in Common Merganser ducks. This information will enable us to identify the optimal time for duck removal and relocation in order to have the maximum impact on reducing Swimmer’s Itch cases.
Unfortunately, the ongoing presence of Avian Flu in North America presents a challenge. Due to the threat it poses to commercial flocks, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has once again suspended our ability to relocate common mergansers. Despite engaging in discussions and meetings with the DNR personnel we typically work with, we were unable to convince them of the necessity to relocate birds this summer to mitigate Swimmer’s Itch on Higgins Lake. While the absence of broods to relocate in the past two years may help maintain low Swimmer’s Itch case numbers, the success of our program relies on consistent relocation efforts. We are disheartened by the inability to relocate merganser ducks for the second consecutive year. Nevertheless, we remain committed to exploring alternative methods to effectively control Swimmer’s Itch on Higgins Lake this season.
We are pleased to announce that HLSIO will be hosting our annual fundraising dinner on Thursday, August 17th. We extend our gratitude to Jim and Laura Witt, our gracious hosts, and Fred’s of Roscommon, our dedicated caterers, for their ongoing support. This delightful evening plays a vital role in sustaining our fight against Swimmer’s Itch. Stay tuned for more information as summer unfolds.
The HLSIO board considers it an honor to represent the Higgins Lake community and continue the battle against Swimmer’s Itch with the generous support of our donors. The progress achieved thus far is significant and a testament to the goodwill exhibited by the residents of our area.