2-26-2021
GLA Annual Meeting Moved
The GLA Annual Meeting date has been changed to 7pm, Tuesday, March 9, 2021 due to a scheduling conflict with the IH Clubhouse. Due to COVID restrictions, seating is limited and face coverings are REQUIRED.
Lake Safety
Remember that kayaks and paddle boards must be off the lake by dark EVERY day.
One rule we still need to educate several boaters about...Pontoon boats do not have headlights; those are docking lights which blind other boaters. Turn them off.
Beavers are very active on Garner Lake and are causing loss of ornamental trees such as Japanese Maples and Crepe Myrtles. Otters are undeniably cute, but are causing expensive damage to the dam. We have an animal control expert who will remove these pests at no cost to you.
It will take the efforts of all of us to help keep the beaver &otter population under control. The lake and surrounding area will never be 100% rid of these animals but we must act to keep them under control.
Rangers Brian Hale and Chris Murphy have agreed to spearhead the efforts to safely remove the beavers from the lake. We ask that if you are aware of beaver activity that you please text either Brian (901-229-6744) or Chris (901-486-3296) as soon as possible with your name, contact information, address, and a brief description of what beaver activity you are seeing. They will be the primary contact and will handle the contact with the proper specialists. PLEASE DO NOT attempt to make contact with any beaver, otter or raccoon. They can be very aggressive and dangerous.
Below are a few things that will help you notice where the beavers are active.
Watch for damage done to trees, seawalls, docks, etc. This is a good sign of where beavers stay.
Wood seawalls are being damaged. Holes in seawalls will usually be at bottom of seawall where there is soft mud. You should be able to see a small indention in the ground where beavers will slide in and out of seawall.
Trees, Crepe Myrtles, etc. will show signs of gnawing or totally cut down. If trees are still standing but have been gnawed on it is very likely the beavers will return to finish the job. This needs immediate attention.
Property with no seawall and mud banks is a great place for beavers to leave the water and start doing damage. If you notice a small path in the mud this is where the beavers are leaving and entering the water. This would be great information to pass on.
Beavers build lodges that resemble piles of branches, mud and foliage. We are not seeing many lodges, but if you do find them please let the rangers know quickly.
Contact GLM at (901) 388-9176 for information.
Remember this number is staffed by a volunteer
and may not be answered every day.
2019 Fish Survey
2020 Creel Limits Remain The Same
The Garner Lake Fishing Network funded a study of Garner Lake Fish. The report on that study is found in a PDF near the bottom of this page. Also the Rules of the Lake and creel limits are unchanged for 2020.
Erosion & Runoff Into The Lake
If you see muddy water running into the lake from a construction site, please call Lakeland City Hall at (901) 867-2717 and report it. The City is responsible for insuring that contractors contain their muddy storm water and prevent it from entering the lake.
Runoff from lawn fertilizer can be hazardous to the lake. Please review
the summary below as prepared in 2019 by the GLA Lawn Care Committee. Bottom line...Your lawn service should NOT use phosphorus in their fertilizer mix.
Garner Lake Lawn Care Survey
Do Lawn Care services use Phosphorus in their applications
I decided to start by making contact primarily with the more well know Lawn Care services who might have customers in the Lakeland area. These include FairwayLawns, TruGreen, Herbi-Systems, Jones Brothers, Southern Lawn, Lawn Solutions,Beauty Lawn.
Most have given me some information regarding the use of Phosphorus.
So far, the results have been 50/50 as to those that do use Phosphorus and those that do not. Lawn Solutions said they do but could remove Phosphorus if requested. I question some of the Yes to Phosphorus answers because they came from individuals who answered phones and then asked someone in the office. Not really sure they gave accurate answers. The majority of the “No to Phosphorus” answers came from either
owners or managers who called me back.
I had several services state that said soil in our area is so saturated with Phosphorus that it is not needed in lawn fertilizer. Said the nature of the soil in and around the lake could cause phosphorus runoff without any being added by lawn services. Two of the services stated they doubted if most lawn services used phosphorus. Again, they said there was lots of phosphorus already in the soil.
Just an observation ... The larger the company the less information was obtained. The smaller (individual owned) companies gave quicker and more in-depth information, were more willing to discuss the use of phosphorus and most stated it is not needed.
YES...Does use Phosphorus
Herbi-System – 382-5296TruGreen – 236-0204Lawn Solutions – 867-5626 ... Can remove it from applications if requested
NO... Does Not use Phosphorus
Fairway Lawns – 752-1222 …Will use Phosphorus only if yard has diseases.Jones Brothers – 377-8733 … Said ground already has lots of phosphorus and does not need more.Southern Lawn & Pest – 476-8188 - NoBeautyLawn Spray – 867-8335 ... Said he thinks most lawn services do not use phosphorus. Said there was lots of phosphorus in soil already.
Most services use Nitrogen and Phosphate.
NOTE: None of this information takes into consideration what may be used by individuals who do their own applications.
Are you on our email alert list? We do not sell or otherwise share your email address. We issue infrequent updates and alerts of interest to lake residents. If you would like to be included, simply send your email request to webmaster@garnerlake.com .
LAKE RULES... Have you read them? You must be familiar with and abide by the Rules or you could be banned from the lake.
The Official Rules are on this website on the page Rules of the Lake.
