2005 Report2005 ReportCrooked, Pickerel, Round, and Spring Lakes are at theheadwaters of the Inland Waterway, providing abundantclean water that sustains a transportation, recreation, andwildlife corridor that extends across the northern LowerPeninsula. Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council has workedfor decades to ensure that it remains amagnificent resource. The informationand data contained in this reportillustrate the hard work of our staff andvolunteers to ensure the high waterquality of all Inland Waterway headwaterlakes, now and in the future.

You will find in this report data specificfor Inland Waterway headwater lakesfrom two of our cornerstone waterquality monitoring programs –Comprehensive Water QualityMonitoring and Volunteer LakeMonitoring. The Comprehensive WaterQuality Monitoring program is run byWatershed Council staff who havemonitored water quality of NorthernMichigan’s lakes and streams for thelast 17 years. The Volunteer LakeMonitoring program was started in 1984and relies on dozens of helpfulvolunteers who collect weekly data onwater clarity and algae abundance.These two programs have providedvaluable data on the overall health ofour waters. Inside are details for themost recent surveys for Crooked,Pickerel, Round, and Spring Lakes.

We hope you enjoy reading about two ofour projects on headwater lakes of theInland Waterway. You’ll learn about theWatershed Council’s work with shorelineproperty owners to correct erosion alongthese four lakes as well as partnershipefforts with the Pickerel-Crooked LakesAssociation.

Headwater Lakes Inland Waterwayof

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Headwater Lakes Inland Waterwayof

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We hope you find this report both informative and helpful.If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, pleasecontact the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council at (231) 347-1181 or visit our website at www.watershedcouncil.org.

CrookedCrookedCrookedCrookedCrooked Lake Lake Lake Lake Lake

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Comprehensive Water Quality Monitoring

Kevin Cronk, our Monitoring and Research Coordinator, usesthe Hydrolab to measure water quality.

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Water Quality Trends: 17 years of dataWater Quality Trends: 17 years of dataWater Quality Trends: 17 years of dataWater Quality Trends: 17 years of dataWater Quality Trends: 17 years of dataThe Comprehensive Water Quality Monitoring (CWQM)program began in 1987 on 10 lakes in the northern LowerPeninsula and has steadily expanded to the present 54monitoring sites on 47 lakes and rivers. At the headwaters ofthe Inland Waterway, monitoring is done on Crooked andPickerel Lakes as well as Round and Spring Lakes (see map onpage 1). We now have over 1,300 records in our CWQMdatabase, which are used by Watershed Council staff tocharacterize lakes and streams, identify specific water qualityproblems, and view trends or changes in water quality overtime. Perhaps the greatest value of the CWQM program is thatof an educational and informational tool to generate publicinterest and promote stewardship of aquatic resources.

By graphing the data collected over the last 17 years,Watershed Council staff have been able to discern a fewtrends. Total phosphorus concentrations appear to bedecreasing on a number of the lakes. Are residents takingmore care to prevent phosphorus inputs by reducing oreliminating fertilizers and properly maintaining septicsystems? Or could this somehow be linked with theintroduction of the invasive zebra mussels to lakes andrivers in our region? Zebra mussels began to appear in theGreat Lakes region around 1988, which coincides with thebeginning of our monitoring program. While phosphoruslevels seem to be decreasing, chloride levels are definitelyincreasing. Almost all of the lakes monitored for 10+ yearsshow increased chloride concentrations, with a particularlylarge increase between 2001 and 2004.

Parameters and ResultsParameters and ResultsParameters and ResultsParameters and ResultsParameters and ResultsEvery three years, the CWQM program waters are sampledand tested in the spring, as soon after “ice-out” as possible.Testing of physical parameters, including temperature,dissolved oxygen, pH, and conductivity, is done on-site withan electronic instrument called a Hydrolab™. Water samplesare collected at the surface, mid-depth, and bottom of thewater column with a specialized sample collection devicecalled a Kemmerer bottle. The samples are then sent to aconsulting laboratory for analysis of nitrates, total nitrogen,total phosphorous, and chlorides. The following sectionprovides brief descriptions and general findings forparameters that we measure.

pHpHpHpHpHpH values provide a measurement of the acidity or alkalinityof water. Measurements above 7 are alkaline, 7 is considered

neutral, and levels below 7 are acidic. When pH is outsidethe range of 5.5 to 8.5, most aquatic organisms becomestressed and populations of some species can becomedepressed or disappear entirely. State law requires that pHbe maintained within a range of 6.5 to 9.0 in all waters ofthe state. Data collected on lakes in the Inland Waterwayheadwaters has shown that pH levels consistently fall withinthis range, with a minimum of 7.10 and maximum of 8.48.

Dissolved OxygenDissolved OxygenDissolved OxygenDissolved OxygenDissolved OxygenOxygen is required by almost all organisms, including thosethat live in the water. Oxygen dissolves into the water fromthe atmosphere (especially when there is turbulence) andthrough photosynthesis of aquatic plants and algae. Statelaw requires that a minimum of 5 to 7 parts per million (PPM)be maintained depending on the lake type. Dissolved oxygenlevels recorded in headwater lakes of the Inland Waterwayhave ranged from 3.2 to 13.79 PPM. Levels below 7 PPMhave occurred only two times and in deep waters, which is anatural phenomenon in some deep, stratified lakes and thus,still in compliance with state water quality standards.

ConductivityConductivityConductivityConductivityConductivityConductivity is a measure of the ability of water to conductan electric current, which is dependent upon the concentra-tion of charged particles (ions) dissolved in the water.Readings on lakes monitored by the Watershed Councilhave ranged from 176 to 656 microSiemens (mS), with anaverage of 284mS. Conductivity levels in the Inland Water-way headwater lakes have increased steadily in all lakeswith the lowest reading of 230mS (Pickerel Lake, 1987) to

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Visit the Watershed Council’s website for complete dataon all of the lakes monitored through the CWQM Program.

www.watershedcouncil.orgwww.watershedcouncil.orgwww.watershedcouncil.orgwww.watershedcouncil.orgwww.watershedcouncil.org

the highest of 656mS (Spring Lake, 2004). A steady increasein conductivity levels generally occurs due to greater humanactivity in the watershed and may indicate that water pollu-tion is occurring. Spring Lake, adjacent to the urban area ofPetoskey, is a good example of this, showing levels roughlytwo times greater than the other lakes.

ChlorideChlorideChlorideChlorideChlorideChloride, a component of salt, is present naturally at lowlevels in Michigan surface waters due to the marine origin ofbedrock in Northern Michigan (typically < 5 PPM). Chloride isa “mobile ion,” meaning it is not removed by chemical orbiological processes in soil or water. Many productsassociated with human activities contain chloride (e.g., de-icing salts, water softener salts, and bleach). Although mostfish are not affected until chloride concentrations exceed1,000 PPM, increasing chloride concentrations are indicativeof other pollutants associated with human activity (such asautomotive fluids from roads or nutrients/bacteria fromseptic systems) reaching our waterways. Chloride levels have

steadily increased in most lakes monitored by the WatershedCouncil. Within the headwater lakes of the Inland Waterway,chloride levels have ranged from 1 PPM (Crooked Lake, 1987)to 82 PPM (Spring Lake, 2004) and display an interesting, yetexpected trend of decreasing concentration movingdownstream through the waterway.

Total PhosphorousTotal PhosphorousTotal PhosphorousTotal PhosphorousTotal PhosphorousPhosphorous is the most important nutrient for plantproductivity in surface waters because it is usually in shortestsupply relative to nitrogen and carbon. A water body isconsidered phosphorous limited if the ratio of nitrogen tophosphorous is greater than 15:1 and, in fact, all lakesmonitored by the Watershed Council were found to bephosphorous limited. Although water quality standards havenot been set for lakes, the U.S. EPA recommends that totalphosphorous concentrations in streams discharging into lakesnot exceed 50 parts per billion (PPB). Phosphorous is normallyfound at concentrations less than 10 PPB in high qualitysurface waters. In the headwaters of the Inland Waterway,phosphorous levels have ranged from 3.5 PPB (Crooked Lake,1998) to 30.0 PPB (Crooked Lake, 1987).

Total NitrogenTotal NitrogenTotal NitrogenTotal NitrogenTotal NitrogenNitrogen is another essential nutrient for plant growth.It is a very abundant element throughout the earth’s surfaceand is a major component of all plant and animal matter.Although nutrients occur naturally, nutrient pollution is usuallythe result of human activities (from things such as fertilizer,faulty septic systems, and stormwater runoff). In general, thelowest nutrient levels were found in Lake Michigan and largedeep inland lakes, while the highest nutrient levels were foundin small shallow lakes. Nitrogen levels on Inland Waterwayheadwater lakes have ranged from 125 PPB (Pickerel Lake,1992) to 1,911 PPB (Spring Lake, 2004).

Depth inDepth inDepth inDepth inDepth inWater ColumnWater ColumnWater ColumnWater ColumnWater Column

Surface 11.86 8.1

Middle 11.70 7.9

Bottom 11.72 7.9

DissolvedDissolvedDissolvedDissolvedDissolvedOxygenOxygenOxygenOxygenOxygen

(mg/l=PPM)

ChlorideChlorideChlorideChlorideChloride(mg/l=PPM)

LakeLakeLakeLakeLake

PickerelPickerelPickerelPickerelPickerelLakeLakeLakeLakeLake

CrookedCrookedCrookedCrookedCrookedLakeLakeLakeLakeLake

RoundRoundRoundRoundRoundLakeLakeLakeLakeLake

SpringSpringSpringSpringSpringLakeLakeLakeLakeLake

Surface 11.18 5.8

Middle 10.91 5.8

Bottom 10.49 6.2

Surface 12.14 22.8

Middle not available --

Bottom 12.25 24.3

Surface 12.61 82.9

Middle not available --

Bottom 13.79 82.9

Comprehensive Water Quality Monitoring2004 Data Summary-Dissolved Oxygen and Chloride

PicPicPicPicPickkkkkerel Lakerel Lakerel Lakerel Lakerel Lake - Te - Te - Te - Te - Toooootal Phosphortal Phosphortal Phosphortal Phosphortal Phosphorousousousousous

4/24/1987 5/14/1992 4/12/1995 5/16/1998 4/29/2001 4/16/2004

Partnering to Protect Crooked, Pickerel,Round, and Spring Lakes

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Keeping the headwater lakes of the Inland Waterway healthy and clean depends on the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Counciland the Pickerel-Crooked Lakes Association working together. Whether it’s doing water quality monitoring, managingpurple loosestrife, educating the public, or commenting on development proposals around the watershed to reduce theirimpacts, the Pickerel-Crooked Lakes Association’s participation has been key to the success of those efforts. With theWatershed Council providing technical assistance and scientific review and the Lake Association providing volunteer time,much has been accomplished on behalf of these important headwaters to the Inland Waterway.

Volunteer Purple CorpsVolunteer Purple CorpsVolunteer Purple CorpsVolunteer Purple CorpsVolunteer Purple CorpsLooks are truly deceiving when it comes to the purpleloosestrife plant. Its appearance is beautiful, with tallpurple spires, but its presence takes a toll on our wetlands.Due to a lack of predators and diseases, this European plantout-competes native wetland vegetation, easily becomingthe dominant plant.

This summer the Watershed Council and Pickerel-CrookedLakes Association will be conducting a thorough inventoryof purple loosestrife in the Pickerel-Crooked Lakes Water-shed and developing a strategy to manage this purpleplague. The field inventory will use a GPS to record specificlocations of purple loosestrife growths. Additional data willbe collected about the size of the purple loosestrife beds(e.g., 10 feet by 25 feet); the density (how many otherplants are present); proximity to surface water; and othersite-specific information. Once the inventory is completewe will produce a map showing the locations and determinethe best management methods to use.

Ray McMullen, a resident of Crooked Lake and President of thePickerel-Crooked Lakes Association, helps to collect Garucellabeetles for release to other areas infested with purple loosestrife.

One of the most effective methods for controlling purpleloosestrife involves introducing a beetle (Garucella) thatforages on the plant at different stages during its life cycle.The beetle has been very effective at reducing the growthof purple loosestrife at Spring Lake (near the intersection ofM-119 and US 31). The Watershed Council, with volunteerassistance from Bev Osetek, introduced the beetle in thelate 1990s to the site. Purple loosestrife was the dominantplant then, but today it occupies only 10% of the wetlandadjacent to the lake.

The completed inventory will be used to identify othersuitable locations to introduce the beetle. With the help ofthese little beetles and the Volunteer Purple Corps, we willbe able to reduce purple loosestrife dominance andimprove the overall health of our wetlands and lakeecosystems.

Drop-dead Gorgeous! Drop-dead Gorgeous! Drop-dead Gorgeous! Drop-dead Gorgeous! Drop-dead Gorgeous! Purple loosestrife may be beautiful, but itwreaks havoc whereever it grows. It is so aggressive that it crowdsout the native plants that are used by wildlife for food and shelter.Purple loosestrife has almost no wildlife food and shelter value, andso where it invades, valuable wildlife habitat is destroyed. Onceestablished it can destroy wetlands and choke waterways.

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Restoration RemediesRestoration RemediesRestoration RemediesRestoration RemediesRestoration RemediesOne day, while enjoying their property on Crooked Lakeand reminiscing about the past, Jody and Lewis Hopkinsrealized their property was changing. “This property hasbeen in our family for more than 80 years. One day, werealized that our shore used to extend much further out,and that we had better do something to prevent futureloss,” stated Lewis Hopkins.

In 1995, the Watershed Council installed its first biotechni-cal erosion control demonstration at the Hopkins’ propertyon Crooked Lake and two adjoining properties, to restore180 feet of shoreline. “Although we were unfamiliar withbiotechnical erosion control methods, we agreed to partici-pate in a demonstration project using this technique. Weare very pleased with the results and appearance of ourshoreline, and believe that is has solved our problems,”Hopkins’ added. Since that first project in 1995, theWatershed Council has completed 32 projects on Pickereland Crooked Lakes alone, and restored a total of 14,000feet (over 2.5 miles) of shoreline in Northern Michigan.

Erosion is a natural process. Accelerated erosion is not.Accelerated erosion occurs most commonly on properties thathumans have altered and can have a serious impact on waterquality, wildlife habitat, and propertyvalue. We applaud the Hopkins and theother shoreline owners on Pickerel,Crooked, and Round Lakes for caring fortheir shorelines and helping to protectthe water quality of their lakes.

If you are concerned about erosion onyour shoreline property there are somebasic steps to follow to address theproblem—1) Assessment of the problem;2) Prevention of further damage; 3)Restoration, if needed.

Through the Watershed Council’s Resto-ration Remedies program we offer a feeservice for assessment and projectdesign. If you would like to assess theproblem on your own, go to our websiteto look at “Understanding, Living With,and Controlling Shoreline Erosion,” whichhas detailed information on how toassess your property.

From phone consultations to comprehensive restorationdesign, the Watershed Council’s Restoration Remediesprogram works with shoreline property owners to restoretheir troubled shorelines and streambanks, enhance theiraquatic habitat, and guide their property management.Services available through the program include:

Shoreline and Streambank Erosion ControlShoreline and Streambank Erosion ControlShoreline and Streambank Erosion ControlShoreline and Streambank Erosion ControlShoreline and Streambank Erosion ControlGreenbelt DesignGreenbelt DesignGreenbelt DesignGreenbelt DesignGreenbelt Design

Habitat EnhancementHabitat EnhancementHabitat EnhancementHabitat EnhancementHabitat EnhancementProject InstallationsProject InstallationsProject InstallationsProject InstallationsProject Installations

Aquatic Invasive Species ManagementAquatic Invasive Species ManagementAquatic Invasive Species ManagementAquatic Invasive Species ManagementAquatic Invasive Species ManagementPermit ApplicationsPermit ApplicationsPermit ApplicationsPermit ApplicationsPermit Applications

Wetland DelineationsWetland DelineationsWetland DelineationsWetland DelineationsWetland Delineations

If you would like help with your shoreline property,please contact:

Jennifer Gelb, Restoration Ecologist(231) 347-1181, ext. 112 jen@watershedcouncil.org

Shorelines are dynamic areas of energy -- restoring accel-erated erosion is one thing we can do to minimize ourimpact and enhance our enjoyment of the shoreline.

The Hopkins’ Shoreline -- Eight Years Later! The Hopkins’ Shoreline -- Eight Years Later! The Hopkins’ Shoreline -- Eight Years Later! The Hopkins’ Shoreline -- Eight Years Later! The Hopkins’ Shoreline -- Eight Years Later! Accelerated erosion along the Hopkins’property was halted by using biotechnical erosion control methods that included coirbundles and light rock armoring coupled with vegetation plantings. Twenty-twospecies of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous groundcover were planted in a 12-foot-widegreenbelt that has grown into the beautiful setting pictured above.

Volunteer Lake Monitoring

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Since 1984 the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council hascoordinated the Volunteer Lake Monitoring program (VLM),relying upon dozens of volunteers to monitor the waterquality of 35 lakes in the northern Lower Peninsula ofMichigan. During the summer of 2005, 45 volunteersmonitored water quality at 35 stations on 27 lakes.

A tremendous amount of data has been generated by theVLM program and will be available to the public soon via ourweb site (www.watershedcouncil.org/volunteerlake.html).This data is essential for discerning short-term changes andlong-term trends in the lakes of Northern Michigan. Ulti-mately, the dedicated effort of volunteers and staff will helpimprove lake management and protect and enhance thequality of Northern Michigan’s waters.

Volunteers have monitored water quality on Crooked andPickerel Lakes since 1986 and on Round Lake since 1995(Spring Lake is not monitored). Volunteers measure waterclarity on a weekly basis using a Secchi disc. Every otherweek volunteers collect water samples to be analyzed forchlorophyll-a. Staff at the Watershed Council process thedata and determine Trophic Status Index (TSI) scores toclassify the lakes and make comparisons. The followingsection contains detailed explanations and charts showingdata from Crooked and Pickerel Lakes as well as others.

Secchi DiscSecchi DiscSecchi DiscSecchi DiscSecchi DiscThe Secchi disc is a weighted disc (eight inches in diameter,painted black and white in alternating quarters) that is usedto measure water clarity. The disc is dropped down throughthe water column and the depth at which it disappears isnoted. Using Secchi disc measurements, we are able todetermine the relative clarityof water, which is principallydetermined by the concentrationof algae and/or sediment in thewater. The clarity of water is asimple and valuable way to assesswater quality. Lakes and rivers thatare very clear usually contain lowerlevels of nutrients and sedimentsand, in most cases, boast highquality waters. Throughout thesummer, different algae bloom atdifferent times, causing clarity to varygreatly. Secchi disc depths have ranged from

just a few feet in small inland lakes to 40-50 feet in largeinland lakes and Great Lakes’ bays.

Chlorophyll-aChlorophyll-aChlorophyll-aChlorophyll-aChlorophyll-aChlorophyll-a is a pigment found in all green plants,

including algae. Water samples collected byvolunteers are analyzed for chlorophyll-a to

determine the amount ofphytoplankton (minute

free-floating algae) inthe water column.There is a strongrelationship betweenchlorophyll-aconcentrations and

Secchi disc depth.Greater amounts of

chlorophyll-a indicate

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greater phytoplankton densities, which reduces waterclarity and thus, the Secchi disc depth as well. So whycollect chlorophyll-a data? The chlorophyll-a data providessupport for Secchi disc depth data used to determine theproductivity of the lake, but it can also help differentiatebetween turbidity caused by algal blooms versus turbiditycaused by other factors such as sedimentation or marl.

Trophic Status IndexTrophic Status IndexTrophic Status IndexTrophic Status IndexTrophic Status IndexTrophic Status Index (TSI) is a tool developed by BobCarlson, Ph.D. from Kent State University to determine thebiological productivity of a lake. Formulas developed tocalculate the TSI value utilize Secchi disc depth andchlorophyll-a measurements collected by our volunteers.TSI values range from 0 to 100. Lower values (0-38)indicate an oligotrophic or low productive system, medium

values (39-49) indicate a mesotrophic ormoderately productive system, and highervalues (50+) indicate a eutrophic orhighly productive system. Lakes withgreater water clarity and smallerphytoplankton populations wouldscore on the low end of the scale,while lakes with greater turbidityand more phytoplankton would beon the high end. TSI values donot measure water quality, butsimply place the lake on ascale of biologicalproductivity. Lakes may beplaced in the eutrophiccategory as a result ofalgal blooms, which areoften a public concern andcan be indicative of waterpollution problems. On theother hand, low productivityof oligotrophic lakes mayresult in a lackluster fisherywhen compared to highlyproductive eutrophic lakes.

TSI values from 2005 data of37 on Crooked Lake, 28 onPickerel Lake, and 34 onRound Lake place these lakes inthe oligotrophic category (seechart on the next page).Oligotrophic lakes are charac-teristically deep, clear, nutri-ent poor, and with abundantoxygen, whereas eutrophiclakes are shallow, nutrient richand full of productivity, whichwhen excessive can lead to

Special thanks to our 2005 Volunteer MonitorsSpecial thanks to our 2005 Volunteer MonitorsSpecial thanks to our 2005 Volunteer MonitorsSpecial thanks to our 2005 Volunteer MonitorsSpecial thanks to our 2005 Volunteer Monitors

Crooked Lake: Dr. G. Michael PiercePickerel Lake: James McKinnonRound Lake: Lori White

Tools of the TradeTools of the TradeTools of the TradeTools of the TradeTools of the TradeVolunteer Lake Monitorsuse a Secchi disc (page 7,bottom) to measure waterclarity and an integratedsampling device (above)to collect water to measureChlorophyll-a.

* TSI value not available for all lakes monitored due to lack of data needed to calculate the TSI value.

Trophic Status Index (TSI) Values for Lakes Monitored in 2005*

LakeLakeLakeLakeLake TSITSITSITSITSI LakeLakeLakeLakeLake TSITSITSITSITSI LakeLakeLakeLakeLake TSITSITSITSITSI

Bass Lake 38

Black Lake 29

Burt Lake, Central Basin 33

Burt Lake, South 31

Clear Lake 23

Crooked Lake 37

Douglas Lake-Cheboygan 38

Douglas Lake-Otsego 38

Elk Lake 28

Lake Charlevoix, Main 23

Lake Charlevoix, South Arm 33

Lake Marion 21

Lake Michigan, Bay Harbor 12

Lake Michigan, Little Traverse Bay 24

Lake Skegemog 35

Mullett Lake, Center 28

Mullett Lake, Pigeon Bay 31

Paradise Lake 35

Pickerel Lake 28

Round Lake 34

Silver Lake 28

Six Mile Lake 43

Thumb Lake 31

Twin Lakes 38

Walloon Lake, Foot Basin 38

Walloon Lake, North 40

Walloon Lake, West Arm 33

Walloon Lake, Wildwood 34

Wilson 40

426 Bay StreetPetoskey, MI 49770

NonprofitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDPetoskey

PERMIT NO. 108

TSI ValuesTSI ValuesTSI ValuesTSI ValuesTSI Valuescontinued

oxygen depletion. In the 2005 field season none of thelakes surveyed by volunteer lake monitors were classifiedas eutrophic.

This report would not be possible without the dedicatedhelp of the volunteer lake monitors, so we would like tosincerely thank all who have participated in this program.