Protecting Glen Lake for Future Generations

(Excerpt from an article written by Glen Lake biologist, Rob Karner, printed in the August 26, 2010 edition of the Glen Arbor Sun)

We live in a world where discoveries of what can harm us are everywhere……..

In Glen Arbor, a proposal is in the works that would call attention to a chemical that has a profound impact on water quality. This chemical is called phosphorus. Of the many chemicals that impact water quality, phosphorous is the most important.  Why? Because one pound of phosphorous in a lake, river or stream can grow 500 pounds of algae, and too much algae can adversely affect aquatic ecosystems.  In addition, and perhaps most importantly, once excess phosphorous is added to the lake, it accumulates over time and is stored at the bottom of the lake.

To read the entire article click here.

GLA MDNRE Water Quality Monitoring Grant Recipient

The Glen Lake Association earlier this year applied for and this month received a grant of $14,344 from the Department of natural Resources & Environment as part of their Clean Michigan Initiative-Clean Water Fund.  The GLA was “commended for its efforts to protect and enhance Michigan’s water quality.”

Our grant proposal titled “Glen Lake Association Critical Contaminant Monitoring Project” will fund a 2 year effort to monitor suspected areas of nutrient and pathogen contamination within Big and Little Glen, Big Fisher, and Hatlem Creek.  Should high concentrations of nutrients or pathogens be confirmed in a particular location, the GLA can later focus to advocate for correction of any problems.

Highlights of Annual Meeting – Saturday, August 14th

The annual meeting of the Glen Lake Association will begin at 8:30 am, Saturday, August 14, with a continental breakfast and educational displays at the Leelanau School Library & Auditorium. The meeting will be called to order at 9:30 am.

Highlights of the meeting include a new Glen Lake /Crystal River Hydrologic Assessment that will be presented by Vic Theiss and the results of a GLA Shoreline Survey of Big and Little Glen Lakes  presented by Mike Litch.

The in-depth Hydrology Report was conducted to provide an understanding of the Glen Lake-Crystal River watershed as a hydrologic system to support water quality and water level management efforts. One of the key points learned from this study for the Watershed Managemet Plan is that maintaining water quality requires land use protection within 60 square miles, rather than the previously identified 32 square miles. Data will be presented showing water inflows and outflows into our watershed that has provided a greater understanding for the Technical Water Committee to use in managing the Water Sharing Plan.

2010 Stewardship Awards will also be presented. A copy of the 2009 minutes can be found here: GLA 2009 Annual Meeting Report. They will be presented at the 2010 GLA meeting for approval.

The entire Annual Meeting Agenda is included for your convenience. We  appreciate your support of our efforts and hope to see you on Saturday.

Common Sense to Preserving the Glen Lakes

Article by Rob Karner
Glen Arbor Sun Contributor

Glen Lake Association biologist, Rob Karner will now be a regular Sun contributor. This article appeared in the July 29,2010 edition.

Sometimes the solution to preserving our lakes and streams is simple. Often, keeping it simple has the best opportunity for success. Many people along the shorelines of the Glen Lakes-Crystal River Watershed need to water their laws and plants (the greenbelt) during the dry periods of the summer. In addition, there are a significant number of people who want to keep their lawns and greenbelts healthy so they apply fertilizer to enhance plant growth.

While it is good to keep your greenbelt and turf healthy and green, the hidden dilemma is that some of the fertilizer nutrients like nitrogen, and especially phosphorous, can end up in the water and promote unhealthy lake and stream conditions. So the question is, can we have the best of both worlds: healthy greenbelts and turf,  and protect the lake at the same time? The answer is yes.

To read more of the article click on Glen Arbor Sun

Admire those Beautiful Bulrushes

One of the aquatic plants that  lake owners are sometimes concerned about are the bulrushes along their shoreline. In Little Glen they are seen far out into the shallow water.  These aquatic plants reduce coastal erosion during high-water conditions

Their dense, fine roots hold the surface sands during storms. A dense mat of their fine roots anchors the overlying sands.  By holding the sand in the shallow bulrush zone next to the beach ridge, waves lose their energy by the turbulence caused by the bulrushes.  Less energy results in less erosion. Enjoy their beauty and be thankful for the protection they provide along your shore. Andrew and Carolyn Kostrevagh have a nice stand of bulrushes along part of their beach and a beautiful naturalized shoreline.