POLLUTION IN LARGE HAWTHORNE POND KILLS FISH
     On Tuesday, May 24th, many dead fish were discovered on the large Hawthorne Pond. The dead fish appear to be the result of oil that was also found on the pond. The Crestlake ponds are part of the St. Joseph storm sewer system and anything dumped into the sewers ends up in the Crestlake ponds. It is important that oil be disposed of properly so that it can not pollute our environment.
     You may also be noticing that there is a great deal of algae on some of the ponds. This algae is a result of the very warm weather that we have experienced this spring. Michael Scott, the contractor who treats Magnolia Pond for algae and the weeds that grow in the pond, will be treating the Magnolia Pond after the rains stop if needed. You can help keep the algae on the ponds under control by limiting use of fertilizers that contain phosphorus. Established lawns will benefit from fertilizers that contain higher percentages of nitrogen but established lawns do not need phosphorus since a root system has already been established. When phosphorus is washed into the ponds, it promotes the growth of the algae that the Homeowners Association then has to pay to have killed. Grass cuttings that are blown into the street and wash into the sewers also  encourage the growth of algae on the ponds and again increase the cost of pond maintenance. Please refrain from blowing cut grass into the streets and avoid using fertilizers that contain phosphorus.