Home Page Now Features Crystal River Flow Rate

The Glen Lake level and the Crystal river flow rate shown on the GLA web site are now updated continuously as is the Glen Lake water temperature at the Narrows thanks to the efforts of the Water Level Committee and the Auto-Gage Instrumentation that has been installed.

The GLA Water Level Committee has been monitoring the Glen Lake level at the narrows bridge with a remote sensor (auto- gauge) that is tied into our web site with wireless telemetry for more than a year. This continuous lake level read out is more accurate than the manually read gauge, does not expose our volunteers to hazardous conditions during the winter, is available at all times and is the basis for our day to day lake level management decisions. We read and report the manual gauge fixed to the bridge twice a week weather and conditions permitting as this is still the official gauge.

With this success behind us, we installed a second auto-gauge upstream of the Crystal River dam to measure the river flow. The river flow has been estimated with an USGS algorithm that uses the river level downstream of the dam and a flow table provided by the USGS. The flow table is updated about six times a year to account for changes in the river bed. This measurement continues as the “official” river flow measurement.

The new auto-gauge lets us measure the Crystal River flow continuously. No corrections or adjustments are necessary other than the dam gate positions. This flow measurement uses the water upstream level and the dam gate positions and is based on the classic weir equation. This auto-gauge was activated this past fall.

To Read More, click Auto Gauge Info for website

Public Notice – On The Narrows Marina Permit Request for Expansion

The Glen Lake Association has been made aware of a permit request filed by the On The Narrows Marina on Glen Lake to expand their boat slip and mooring offerings.

A copy of the permit request can be viewed here: public_notice-application

Written comments must be received by the State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality no later than January 31, 2012. Unless a written request is filed with the department by the specified date, the department may make a decision on the application without a public hearing.

A Fond Retirement Farewell to Steve Yancho

The Glen Lake Association is sad to learn that Steve Yancho has announced his plans to retire from the National Park Service. His expertise and willingness to work with GLA to achieve its goals has been invaluable and we all wish him well.

Testing the Waters

In case you were wondering if the Glen Lake Fire Department’s new fire boat would have any problem negotiating the narrow and shallow channel between Big Glen and Fisher lakes….wonder no more. It was a smooth and quick trip through the channel, giving a great opportunity for catching this photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After making a quick sprint down the shore to get the photo, the crew kindly offered to give a show of the reach of the spray. Pretty impressive, that’s for sure!

 

The water is nice and calm in Big Fisher, but a wind advisory warned of high wind gusts on the return trip and the crew was challenged with negotiating the waves on Big Glen. That could have been fun. I guess you will just have to ask the crew! It’s nice to know we now have this added layer of fire protection.

Glen Lake Fire Department Boat Takes Maiden Voyage Today

Just as I was listening to Channel 9 & 10 News report on the launching of the Glen Lake Fire Department’s new fire boat, I saw it approaching our shoreline & got a few shots before it powered out of sight.  Talk about serendipity.

From Channel 9 & 10 news report:  Fire crews in Glen Arbor have waited many years for this day, because a new rescue boat will make their job a lot easier. This isn’t just any boat, it was designed by a naval architect, and built by a custom builder in New Hampshire who hand-delivered the boat.

For more news and video, click here.

The entire $265,000 cost of the 28-foot fire boat was  raised by community members in three months.  Fire Chief, John Dodson, says the boat adds new capability for fighting fires on boats, wildfires near the water, as well as homes along the waterfront. Nearly 75% of the homes in the Glen Lake area are within 1000 feet of a body of water.

The fire boat will be used on Lake Michigan and Glen Lake.  Fire fighters have been receiving U.S. Coast Guard training on boat piloting and operation, as well as marine firefighting techniques.

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