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Life on the Lake

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INFORMATION TO MAKE YOUR STAY AT HARPER LAKE A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE

Purpose

Harper Lake Association Members are landowners having deeded access to the Harper Lake, Irons, Michigan.  We are dedicated to:

  • Maintaining and preserving the lake's ecosystem.

  • Keeping the lake clean and usable.

  • Enjoying each other's company.


Our intent is to use this site to provide:

  • Communications among our members, both full time and seasonal residents.

  • Visitors background information about the lake.

  • A guide to courteous use of the lake so that boaters, fisherman and residents can share Harper Lake in harmony.

Purpose
Contact a Board Member or Committee

Board Members and Committee Chairpersons are Harper Lake volunteers who welcome questions regarding Association matters. Board Members may be reach by their respective email addresses found here. To contact a Committee please fill out the contact form here.

Contact Board
How to handle an  emergency

If you have an emergency call:
Sheriff, Fire, or Medical (EMS): 911
Lake County Sheriff / Marine Division: (231) 745-2711
Michigan State Police: (231) 832-2221
DNR Cadillac: (231) 775-9727
DEQ Cadillac: (231) 775-3960

Non-emergencies concerns and assistance with food, housing, employment, health care, counseling and more, call 211. www.211us.org


Make sure you know your neighbors and call them.

Emergency
Rule breakers or an unruly neighbor

Harper Lake Association, its Board Members, Committee Members or other residents have absolutely NO enforcement authority. Call and report violators to the DNR or the local sheriff.

Rule Breakers
Association Directory Updates

The December Newsletter includes:

  • The annual billing of Association dues for January 1

  • Survey questions for resident feedback

  • Directory Information requests

 

Any changes of ownership information or a change in an email address is always appreciated.  Submit any changes to: harperlakeassociation@gmail.com. 

Directory-Update
Association Fees

While all the Board Members and Committee Members volunteer their time, there are costs associated with maintaining the quality of Harper Lake and keeping all who have an interest in the community informed. Fees are only $45 a year.

Download Dues Form
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The Association carefully allocates funds each year as needed for:

  • Harper Lake Day activities

  • ​Gypsy Moth control as needed

  • Water quality testing

  • Annual fish stocking program

  • Lake buoy maintenance

  • Web site

  • Newsletters

  • Directory

  • Insurance

  • Bylaws Enforcement

  • Membership meetings

  • Administrative expenses

Association Fees
Boating on the lake

  • SLOW, NO WAKE for all motorized watercraft shall be between 7:30 pm and 11:00 am

  • Speed boating, water skiing, and operations of personal watercraft shall be between 11:00 am and 7:30 pm

  • All watercraft must circle the lake in a COUNTER CLOCKWISE direction

  • Discourteous and / or reckless boating conduct should be reported to the Lake County Sheriff /Marine Division.  Include the MC numbers, if possible, and location when calling the Sheriff.  231 745 2711

  • 100 FOOT RULE:   SLOW-NO WAKE speed must be maintained within 100 feet of a shoreline, any watercraft, docks, fisherman, rafts, swimming areas, and swimmers.  SLOW-NO WAKE  is required in waters less than 3 feet.

  • All watercraft covered by the Michigan Marine Law must be registered and the license must be displayed.  Approved personal flotation devices are required.

  • All watercraft shall stay at a reasonable distance from fishing boats and shall pass on the deep side of boats fishing the shallow waters of the shoreline.

  • Complete rules can be found here.

Boating-rules
Burning leaves and rubbish

We all treasure our forest.  In recent years we have had several cases where small fires have gotten out of hand with potentially catastrophic results.  Care must always be taken by:

  • Applying for a burn permit

  • Having a barrier around any fire.

  • Having a water source readily available.

  • Never leaving a fire unattended

  • Avoiding windy days

  • Never burn fires down by the lake shore. Potash from the ashes promotes excessive lake weed growth.

Burning-rubbish
ORV/Golf Cart Use

Roads are open year-round to ORV's, UTV's, ATV's and Golf Carts in the Elk Twp, Lake County Area.


Both safety and courtesy to others are strictly enforced by the DNR, State Police and Local Sheriff.

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The basic restrictions include but are not limited to:

  • Maximum speed of 25 mph

  • Helmets or roll bar.

  • Safety flags on 7' whips mounted on vehicles

  • Seat belts on ORV's and Golf Carts

  • Lights on both day and night

  • Licensed drivers 18 years or older

  • Current ORV sticker (was $16.25)

  • Respect for cars, pedestrians and all property
     

For a complete description of where these recreational vehicles can be ridden, rules of the road and maps go to the Lake County ORV web site.


Trail maps can be picked up at the Borema Hamm Insurance office or Big River Properties in Irons. 

ORV-Golf-Carts
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