Intermediate Lake Association

08/16/2026

Thanks to Sue Thomas for capturing this great video from her paddle board of two very large snappers battling it out at the south end of the lake. Just the kind of thing a quiet, observant paddler might be treated to around here!

08/06/2026

08/04/2026

07/30/2026

ILA ANNUAL MEETING

When: Saturday, August 22, 4-6 pm
Where: Cedar River Lodge at Shanty Creek
REQUIRED: RSVP by August 16th to the ILA at
[email protected] (comments on this post do not serve as an RSVP).

All ILA members, please plan to attend! This is our regular business meeting as required by our By-Laws. We will elect directors for our association (see comment for info), answer questions you have for the Board, and handle other business as may come up.

As usual, there will be time to visit, socialize, talk, and meet other ILA members and your ILA directors. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be provided and bar service available (pay by card only, no cash).

AT THIS MEETING:

Lake Level Update Presentation

Included in the agenda at the Annual Meeting will be a discussion to bring you up to date on lake level issues. This will include the following topics:
Weather, Watershed, Sedimentation and Hydraulics
Current status of the Bellaire Dam expansion project and what it entails
Dredging Plans
4 County Participation
Current scoping cost estimates
Special Assessment Districts (SAD’s)

We will also try to answer questions you may have, as well as provide the facts as they are concerning this work and dispel the myths and rumors circulating concerning this topic. Come and get informed!

Election of Directors

The Intermediate Lake Association currently has eight directors. Officers are Dave Christian (President), Matt Gabris (VP), John Bridenbaugh (Treasurer), and Stan Yoder (Secretary). At large directors are Greg Bellopatrick, Mandy Bush, Andy Hickman and Aaron Phelps. Directors serve 2 year terms and up to nine directors are permitted by the By-Laws. Terms for Matt, John, Stan, Andy, and Aaron are up this year and all are standing for re-election. Terms for Dave, Greg and Mandy are up in 2027.

Nominations for Board Members can be made at this time or at the Annual Meeting. Nominated members must be willing to serve and be a member in good standing. If you are interested, please send an email to the Association at [email protected].

07/17/2026

TAKE A DAM FIELD TRIP!
(Come on...we couldn't resist.)

Come learn about the Bellaire Dam during a field trip-style program led by Leslie Meyers, Antrim County Operator of Dams.

When: Thursday, July 30, at 10:00 AM
Where: At the dam, Richardi Park on E. Antrim St
For more info, call the Bellaire Public Library at 231-533-8814

IT'S SURE TO BE DAM FUN!
(Okay, we'll see ourselves out now...)

07/06/2026

Thanks again to Holly Schienke for another great picture! This time, we have two loon chicks she spotted from her paddle boat last week on the west side of the lower portion of the lake near the island. It's a treat to see these little ones up close! A few features to help identify loon chicks:

Fluffy gray down: Newly hatched common loons are covered in soft gray down, just like these birds.
Long, pointed bill: Even at a young age, loon chicks have a relatively long, straight, pointed bill rather than the broader bill you’d expect on ducklings.
Low in the water: Loon chicks sit very low in the water because their legs are positioned far back on their bodies, making them excellent swimmers.
Overall shape: Elongated body and neck.

07/02/2026

🚩BOATING CONSIDERATION REQUEST🚩

Good morning, friends. We find ourselves in a high water situation yet again with all this rain, and many of us have our boat lifts, docks, and shore items as high as they can go but are still seeing items break loose and float off. While we obviously cannot control the rain, one thing we CAN control is our care and consideration for our neighbors during this very soggy start to July. Docks and boats/lifts are hanging on for dear life right now, and large waves created by bigger boats are threatening to break things loose. Please consider holding off on activities such as wakesurfing (which requires especially large waves) until the water is able to go down a bit. We want everyone to have fun over the holiday, and chasing loose boats and fixing damaged property is no one's idea of fun!

Have a wonderful Fouth of July weekend and stay safe out there!

06/22/2026

Good morning lake friends! We are pleased to share this updated 2026 loon nesting map with you this morning. We also invite you to follow Dick West's "Loon Platoon" logs by visiting https://intermediatelake.org/platoon/logs.htm, where you'll find his regular detailed updates about their activity! And if you'd like to get even more up close and personal, in just a few weeks, we're co-hosting our Guided Loon Paddle on the morning of July 16. (See our previous post about this to RSVP! Spots are limited!)