About

Just a few words about the LPADA

In 1964, a group of concerned lake residents felt an organization could be of considerable service to the lake and its residents. The Lake Poinsett Area Development Association was formed and at the first annual meeting that year, a Board of Directors was elected from lake residents. The LPADA Board is charged with the responsibility to conduct the business of the Association. Of prime interest since the inception of the Association, has been water level and water quality.

The Association has come to an agreement with the Game, Fish and Parks Department on a level of 1,651.5 feet above sea level as acceptable. An outlet structure was built several years ago in an attempt to maintain this level. Until 1985-86, the major problem had been low water levels. With the high water level experienced in 1985-86, it seemed something else was needed. A new outlet structure was completed in 1989, with the hope that this would improve the control of the water from the east. To this date, no solution has been found regarding the water which comes from the west, but your board continues to pursue answers to this problem.

At the annual meetings held in June in recent years, the Association has attempted to bring knowledgeable and interesting speakers to inform the membership of matters of concern to “lake people.” A newsletter is also sponsored by the Association and goes to all paid memberships. Through this letter, which is published once a month, April through September, the Board attempts to keep its members informed of things happening around the lake and some of the summer activities that have been planned, which we hope will be of interest to the people living around the lake. We hope by having some of these activities, that we can become better acquainted with our lake neighbors

It is very important that you have your cabin number in visible sight, should you need emergency assistance. A major social event sponsored by the LPADA is the annual pancake breakfast. This is a very popular event and well attended each year in the spring.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE LAKE POINSETT AREA DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

• Print a lake directory every other year which is free to paid members
• Bought and erected street signs, with numbers around the lake and installed signs for each subdivision
• Arranged for spring clean-up along with the Lake Poinsett water projects board and the sanitary board
• Negotiated with area dump grounds
• Offer a reward for breaking and entering cabins
• Provide annual meeting for all members
• Hold an annual pancake breakfast
• Provide monthly newsletter April thru September
• Help sponsor kids winter fishing derby at Lake Poinsett annually in January along with KWAT radio Watertown, S.D
• Provided funds for bank and shoreline restoration (east side)
• Worked with counties for road improvements
• Helped start the local water district committee
• Initiated dog leash law
• Transported approximately 4,000 fish from Lake Whitewood to Lake Poinsett (1993)
• Researched the pig farm problem
• Work with South Dakota Lakes and Streams Association to improve the quality of our lake
• Helped organize the Sanitary District to provide sewer service around Lake Poinsett
• Helped organize garbage service for our lake
• Distributed and worked with Hamlin County Emergency Management in 1997 to procure and distribute 200,000 plus sandbags, plus over 25 semi-truck loads of sandbags during the flood
• Working with attorney to keep the water level between Lake Albert and Lake Poinsett at an agreeable level for both lakes
• Working on the web site to keep membership informed on lake happenings
• This past three years the LPADA have been working with the state of South Dakota to build a new visitor center and museum to house the artifacts of Harlan Olson, which will be a big asset to our lake
• Always striving for better improvements around the lake
• Cleaner water quality and quantity. Making it a better place for all cabin and homeowners to enjoy Lake Poinsett
• Established having Fun Day in conjunction with Lake Poinsett Camp

This is just a short list of accomplishments the LPADA has accomplished. All these things take volunteer time. Please give of your time and talents.