Drowning Tragedy Mars August
The drowning death of Dr. David Wang, Panora, was felt throughout the Panorama community. Dr. Wang's efforts to assist a boy who had fallen into the water resulted in his going under in the main basin on August 17.
       Rescue and recovery crews worked long hours in their efforts to bring closure to the tragedy. His body was found on Tuesday morning, August 20.
       
       The LPA expresses their condolences and prayers for the Wang family. Dr. Wang will be missed for his service to the community and his generous personality.
       
       The LPA would like to thank the volunteers from a wide area involved in the rescue and recovery efforts.

Summer Season Comes to an Official End
The Labor Day Weekend marks the end of the official summer season. August rains brought the grass back from earlier dormancy, and water quality was fairly typical for August.
       Lake buoys will be being replaced by winter markers sometime in September. Community docks will be removed toward the end of the month. Beaches will remain open, but generally are used little after school starts. It's a great time for some quiet recreation at Lake Panorama.

Mosquito Tips
Even though it has been a very dry year and mosquitoes have not been a large problem, news of a virus spread by mosquitoes prompts ideas about how to reduce their numbers.
        The house mosquito is an insect that stays relatively close to its hatching place, often not moving more than a quarter mile from that spot. It is one of the mosquito species identified as a carrier of the West Nile virus that has been in the news. In addition, the house mosquito lays its eggs in stagnant water. There are a number of spots that are likely spots for the house mosquito to breed. By checking and draining or disposing of them periodically, mosquitoes can be discouraged:
        They are: 1. Eaves troughs that do not drain completely. 2. Bird baths. 3. Cans, bottles, old tires, and other containers that hold water. 4. Holes in ground, ditch, inside culverts, drain tile, or holes in trees that collect water. 5. Window wells. 6. Grills, boat covers, cloth or plastic covers for woodpile, garden or other purpose. 7. Any spot that collects water and remains stagnant is ideal for mosquito egg-laying and hatching. All mosquitoes require water for hatching and development into adults.
       
        Another important tip to stay away from mosquitoes is using repellent containing DEET, a chemical repulsive to mosquitoes. It is the most common repellent. Avoiding early morning and late afternoon hours outside, wearing long sleeve shirts and long pants while working or playing in mosquito prone areas, and spraying lighter clothing with repellent will help to reduce the chances of being bitten.
       
        Although very rarely do infected mosquito bites result in infections, it is a good idea to reduce the risk associated with mosquito bites.
       

Dredge Makes Progress in Upper Basin
The HORIZON dredge is continuing to make progress in the upper basin of the lake. Most of the available silt was removed in the area below the debris boom by August 1. The dredge will be working above the debris boom opening up the river channel and removing silt up to the Fansler bridge.
       
        While the dredge is working further upstream, contractors will be removing trees and vegetation on three remaining islands in the upper basin. When that vegetation is removed the dredge will return for removal of the islands themselves. The islands cover about 20 acres, much of it down the middle of the northern portion of the upper basin.
        These islands are the result of heavy siltation that occurred after the area was dredged in the 80’s.
       
        The islands will probably be removed by late next summer. Rip rap work will be done in the upper basin before boating will be allowed there, hopefully in 2004. That will depend on weather and siltation that may occur before that time. The dredge will be continuing to operate in the upper regions in order to stop silt before it flows on down the lake.
       

Lake To Be Lowered in LATE October
Current plans are for the lake level to be lowered FOUR FEET beginning in the third week of October. Concrete repairs on the dam spillway walls and emergency spillway will be done, as well as, sealing spillway joints and replacement of hydraulic lines that help to run the dam gate. Other work around the lake will be done at that time to take advantage of the low water levels.
       
        Lakefront members are advised to make their dock and lift removal plans early and also to plan for any repairs or clean-up they would like to do in front of their lot.
       
        Low water will probably last from 6 to 8 weeks, depending on river flows.
       

Water Quality is Still Very Good
Water quality reports for late August indicate no problems for water-borne bacteria at LPA beaches. All readings were far below warning levels. Nitrates were down also, but turbidity, the measure of "cloudiness" of the lake water was up some, most likely from algal growth in the late summer.

Maintenance Work Continues
Seal coating of cul-de-sacs and repair areas is finished for 2002, with the program planned for continuing next year. Remaining road projects for this year include grading and ditchwork, some culvert repairs and some shoulder repairs where heavy rains caused erosion damage.
       
       Maintenance department workers will be getting ready for winter snows, making last of the season mowing passes, and cleaning up trees in remote areas blown down in the July thunderstorm that hit the area.