Lake Levels, Water Quality Top Discussion at GLA Meeting
Association Listens to Concerns/Receives Praise for Protection Efforts
Glen Arbor, Mich. – Shifting lake levels, invasive species and E coli contamination dominated discussion at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Glen Lake Association (GLA).
This was also the first year the association has recognized homeowners and local units of government for their stewardship of the Glen Lake/Crystal River Watershed.
Some 150 lake riparians heard complaints from a couple of south side Big Glen residents about costly ‘ice-out’ damage that occurs during spring melt when water levels are high. While an opposing shoreline dweller remarked about having to install additional dock selections, replace boat propellers and deal with exposed beach, all the result of low water levels.
The information-packed two hour discussion was held Saturday at The Leelanau School and featured stewardship awards to property owners and townships; reports from 15 committees; voting on by-laws changes; and the election of a slate of new board members.
Routine association issues aside, the bulk of the meeting was spent dealing with issues and questions about the Glen’s variable lake levels, E coli concerns in the Hatlem Creek area, invasive species and the perennial nuisance of swimmer’s itch and how to eradicate it.
WATER LEVELS
Water level committee chair, Jack Laitala, presented graphs comparing the lake levels since 1956 through the current season. “Last year was the worst on record,” he said, due to several years of drought conditions, low water levels in Lake Michigan and ground and surface water depletion. “Vic Theiss, a member of our water level committee, calls it ‘The Perfect Storm’.” Laitala explained that the reverse has been the issue in 2008 caused by increased precipitation, resulting in more than 53 adjustments year-to-date made at the Crystal River Dam. The association’s water level committee has needed to dump water when lake levels rise abruptly in an attempt to anticipate and quickly respond to precipitation fluctuations. The water level limit of 596.92 feet above sea level was legally mandated in the 1950’s and is part of the current 13th Judicial Circuit Court’s Water Sharing Management Plan.
South shore residents Fred Foust and Dave Baldwin said ice damage and wave action from high water in recent years has cost lake property owners there $100,000 collectively. Glen Lake Association President Sarah Litch assured the gathering that the organization is listening, communicating and meeting with concerned property owners. She reiterated comments made at the July 12 Public Forum by presiding Circuit Court Judge Phillip Rodgers who authored the court agreement regulating water levels and who continues to monitor dam operation. “As the Judge (Rodgers) said, there will always be high and low water and pain on each side of this issue,” she said. “We need to learn to get along, compromise and deal with the situation the best we can. We are at a good water level now.”
WATER QUALITY
GLA Watershed Biologist Rob Karner reported on water quality issues, invasive species, and the various test sites and monitoring efforts he is in charge of for the association. Zebra mussels, an invasive species that plagues the Great Lakes, inland lakes and streams, are responsible for the cleaner water but harm the lake’s nutrient content and habitat for indigenous fish and plant life. Eurasian Milfoil, Hydrilla and Curly Leaf Pondweed are being closely watched and kept in check through aggressive protective measures. “A shoreline survey to identify cladaphora algae has been done by two boys you may have seen walking the shoreline around the lake,” said Karner. “It’s like the canary in the mine shaft when they find it. Its presence indicates phosphorous and nitrates leaching into the lake from septics or lawn fertilizers.” He noted that over 200 septic systems on the lake are over 30 years old and urged homeowners to have their septic systems professionally inspected.
HATLEM CREEK E COLI
Also of interest at the GLA annual meeting was the presence of E coli contaminants in water samples from Hatlem Creek taken this summer after substantial rainfall. “Hatlem Creek, the largest source of water flowing into Glen Lake, had an E coli count eight times over the safe limit in June,” said Karner. “We alerted residents in the area to stay out of the water. After the rain, the water cleared up, indicating the lakeshore can clean itself within a week’s time.” Preliminary tests results have been returned by the University of Michigan, and early indications are that the E coli bacteria found is caused by human waste.
SWIMMER’S ITCH
Addressing the swimmer’s itch topic, Karner said the problem is “still here,” but has been significantly reduced as a direct result of GLA’s Merganser duck capture and re-location program conducted each spring through July. He says the problem continues due to migrating Mergansers that use Glen Lake as a stop-over during the early spring. He advised residents to report cases at www.swimmersitch.org, a website operated by renowned parasitologist Harvey Blankespoore at Hope College, and to avoid swimming in shallow water.
LITCH HONORED
Following additional discussion of topics during the question and answer period, outgoing association president Sarah Litch thanked the many volunteers who so willingly donate their time and expertise to the Glen Lake Association, without whom these water quality programs would not be possible. “We have over 100 individuals involved with the association and they represent the heart and muscle of our organization,” Litch said in her closing remarks.
After a standing ovation for her work during her two-year presidency and many years of GLA involvement, Litch turned the gavel over to incoming president, John Rockwood. He encouraged lakefront and riverfront property owners to become involved with the association, saying 40 percent of riparians are not members of GLA. “It benefits everyone to keep our lake healthy and protect our property values,” he said.
For information and/or to become a member, contact the GLA office at 231 334-7645 or visit www.glenlakeassociation.org.
Glen Lake Association 2008 Award Winners
This is the first year the association has recognized homeowners and local units of government for their stewardship of the Glen Lake/Crystal River
Watershed. Award winners were publicly acknowledged at the GLA annual meeting Saturday by association president, Sarah Litch.
“We would like to see each one of you up here receiving these awards in the future,” she told the gathering of 150 riparians.
Mary and Paul Finnegan were winners in two categories; Lake-Friendly Home Construction and a Lakescaping Award. Litch credited the Finnegans for a vintage cottage designed home that blends with the property and has a small footprint and low roofline. Wetlands on their property were previously filled and the stream was put underground. They worked with the DNR, the Leelanau Conservancy and Milarch Brothers Nursery and Landscaping in a reclamation effort of both.
Susan and Vik Theiss received the GLA Lakescaping Award. Theiss’ corrected the deforestation and filling of their beach by previous owners, planting 100 varieties of bushes, trees, flowers and beach grass – totaling 8,000 plantings. The project includes paths, sitting areas and a low profile deck, all in keeping with environmentally sensitive practices.
Glen Arbor and Empire Townships were honored for their Lake Friendly Protection Strategies. Both enacted Aquatic Nuisance ordinances this year aimed at helping the spread of non-native invasive species of plant, animals and micro-organisms in the watershed. Ordinance signage has been posted at road ends and at the Glen Lake Boat Launch. Award recipients were John Soderholm, supervisor of Glen Lake Township and Bill Bolton, Empire Township Supervisor.
Leelanau Road Commission was awarded another Lake Friendly Protection Strategy citation for their assistance with placing Aquatic Nuisance Ordinance signage and watershed entry signs in the area. The award was accepted by John Popa, county road commissioner vice-chair.
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