PRESIDENT`S MESSAGE - Bill Ardis MISSAUKEE LAKE

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - Bill Ardis
At the 2013 Annual Meeting last July, I took over the
position of President from Dick Morrow, who had held
the post since the founding of the association. Dick was
ready to pass the job to someone else after that many
years, but it will be hard to match Dick’s energy and
enthusiasm about Lake Missaukee. I will do my best!
My parents built their first cottage on the lake in th
the
late 1940s. As a result, I am looking forward to
spending my 64th consecutive summer at our beautiful
lake. A lot has changed since the summer of 1950!
After that many years, I am able to see changes in the
lake that are not just my imagination or the fondness
for the “good old days.” No doubt that our lake was
more pristine back then and has aged some over those
64 years. Some of this is just the natural aging of a lake,
and some is accelerated by human activity.
People were in large part pretty complacent about the
whole process until (in 1997) a dredging project was
proposed for the southwest corner of the lake in an
area we all thought was off limits (lily pads, fish
breeding habitat, wetlands, etc.).
That event led to the creation of Missaukee Lake
Association, and as a result, we now have a dedicated
group of people who fund and participate in efforts to
protect the quality of Lake Missaukee.
As we move into our 17th year, MLA just gets stronger
and stronger, thanks to our very active membership, as
well as the Board of Directors. Using not only our own
resources, but leveraging professional groups and state
statewide associations, we continue the effort to measure
and protect the quality of Lake Missaukee.
If you have friends and neighbors on Lake Missaukee
who are not members, please encourage them to join
us. All it takes is (a) a love for our lake and (b) $50 a
year.
There will no doubt be new challenges facing MLA in
i
the future. New invasive species, developments that
(unchecked) could damage our lake, etc. It is our
pledge to be on the front lines in all these battles. As a
member, it is your opportunity to help plan the strategy
for MLA.
Best wishes for a happy and safe summer of 2014!
MISSAUKEE LAKE IMPROVEMENT BOARD (MLIB)
Our association is sometimes confused with the
Missaukee Lake Improvement
Board (MLIB). The MLIB was
formed at the end of 2004 in
order to assess lake users to
treat the Eurasian Milfoil
that had taken hold in the
lake. The treatment is
helping to keep the milfoil in
check. Most inland lakes
have had to deal with this
problem. The Lake
Improvement Board will
meet in late August, at the
Lake Township Hall. Look for
the date in the Missaukee
issaukee Sentinel. You are encouraged
to attend and let them know how well you think the
treatment is working.
Page 2
SHORELINES
SPRING 2014
LAKE MISSAUKEE WATER QUALITY TESTING by Bill Ardis
As you probably know, your association has been responsible for monitoring the water quality of Lake Missaukee since
1997. Starting in 2001, MLA contracted with a recognized and respected organization (Professional Lake Management)
to sample three times a year at three sites on the lake. These samples are tested for the recognized chemical (and
visual) markers that indicated the health of the lake.
We now have 13 years of history on the well
well-being
being of Lake Missaukee. MLA will continue to fund this testing in 2014,
and this effort is - by far - the largest
gest ongoing expenditure by your Association. Every major inland lake in Michigan
conducts similar testing, but until MLA stepped up to do this for Missaukee, no measurements were being made. It’s
nice to have this record of our lake, but in the life cyc
cycle
le of Lake Missaukee, it is still just the blink of an eye.
In 2014, we will also do a one-time
time measurement of E. Coli in the lake. No reason to suspect that there is a problem in
Lake Missaukee, but it is good practice to check. If results come back and show no issues, (as expected), this testing will
be put on a three year cycle.
Bottom line, for a lake of its type in Michigan, Missaukee is in good shape. It is slowly aging (like all of us!) but anything
anythi
we can do to slow this aging process is a go
good thing. This means no use of phosphorus fertilizer near the lake (or better
yet, no fertilizer at all) and removing leaves and dead seaweed that wash up on the shoreline. Trust me, dead weeds
and oak leaves do not decompose into beach sand!
Lastly, we will have an opportunity to go out on the lake with representatives of Professional Lake Management this
summer. This will be a chance to observe the weed growth in the lake, accumulations of muck, water depths, and any
other visual indicators of interest.
t. I am hoping that this can happen prior to our Annual Meeting in mid-July.
mid
If you have
questions or concerns that you would like to see addressed during this tour of the lake, please send them to
[email protected].
As always, recent test date is available on the MLA web site at missaukeelake.org.
GOOD MORNING LAKE CITY
Good Morning Lake City meets the 3rd Friday of EVERY month from 77-8 am at the Missaukee County EMS Building on
First St. This is a forum for local businesses and citizens to share information and upcoming events. Everyone is
welcome. Your first visit is free, after that there is a $2 charge for coffee and light breakfas
breakfast.
Mark your calendars!!
MISSAUKEE COUNTY PARKS - UPDATES AND PLANS FOR 2014 by Larry Richardson, Parks Manager
It was another great year for us in 2013. Our new Bathhouse was opened on time and very well received. The summer
swimming program for Lake
ke City had moved into our Beach from the City Beach and will be
returning again for 2014.
We will be remodeling the Lagoon Bathroom at our Boat Launch at the Missaukee Lake
Park this spring. We will be also adding WI-FI
FI at our Crooked Lake Park as well. We
have even more reservations for this summer and are looking forwards to warmer
weather. The Beach House at Missaukee Lake will be getting re
re-roofed this year. It
was to be done before opening this spring but the snow and winter have been
hanging around too long so it might be at the end of summer instead. I hope everyone
has a great summer and stays safe. Thanks to all who choose to use our County's Parks
Parks.
http://www.missaukee.org/parkdept.htm
Page 3
SHORELINES
SPRING 2014
FISHING by Jerry Grimwood
Last fall,
all, Richard Morrow and I met with Rich O’Neal (DNR Fish Biology Chief) at my home. We discussed Lake Missaukee
and what the DNR is doing for fish sustainability. We asked if there was anything that the MLA could do to help.
According to Rich, fish planting is not an issue. There are many healthy species of fish in the lake and they are all sizes.
The DNR has restarted planting Walleyes (after budget restraints of 7+ years). In 2011, they planted over 100,000 and
again in 2013.
3. They intend to continue on an every other year basis. Rich told us that in Lake Missaukee, the Walleyes
grow between 3” and 5” per year. So, in 2014, there should be some Walleyes at the legal size limit of 15”.
The DNR does not need us to plant fish. What they suggest is to come up with a form of permanent structure for the fish
to hide in and around. Lake weeds are not enough and they disappear in
the winter
inter leaving small fish vulnerable. We talked about different
structures, Christmas trees, logs, and manmade
made structures. The DNR wants
to be involved with any structure that is put in the lake. We conclude our
meeting with the promise to keep each other informed.
Since that meeting, I have found a good website about permanent
structure www.fishiding.com.. This type of structure looks like it could work
for us.
Also, Rich emailed me of an inquiry by Miller
Miller’s Bait Shop about how they could
help. The owner, Mr. Miller is friends with a professional fis
fisherman, Mark
Martin. Mark has held an “Ice Fishing School” on Lake Cadillac for several
years. In 2015, he would like to have the school on Lake Missaukee. I think this
might be a good thing to look into.
Image used with permission from fishiding.com
2014 MLA Board of Directors
President: William (Bill) Ardis
3065 Bannockburn Dr. SE
Ada, MI 49301
616-915-1923 - cell
[email protected]
Treasurer: Richard (Dick)
Morrow
7600 W. Forest Drive
Lake City, MI 49651
[email protected]
V. President: Richard Levandowski
33811 Hunters Pointe
Farmington Hills, MI 48331
[email protected]
Director: Gerard Winkle
7116 W. Lake Dr.
Lake City, MI 49651
[email protected]
Secretary: David P. Smith
(NOMINATING)
13000 Green Fern
Belding, MI 48809
[email protected]
Director: Jerry Grimwood
6028 Oakcrest Dr.
Lake City, MI 49651
[email protected]
Director: Gary Gremel
8603 E 20 ½ Rd.
Manton, MI 49663
[email protected]
Director: Julie Lalik
5350 Allison Dr.
Troy, MI 48085
[email protected]
Director: Mimi Zwolak
(EDITOR,
EDITOR, MEMBERSHIP)
1723 S. Dickerson Rd.
Lake City, MI 49651
[email protected]
Page 4
SHORELINES
SPRING 2014
YUCK, MUCK! By Julie Lalik
My most favorite moments in beautiful Lake Missaukee are the times I can walk on a firm sandy bottom and see my feet
through the clear water. There are times, however, when the lake bottom is soft, somewhat slimy, and my feet sink.
Yuck, that's muck!
So what can we do about it? How can we preserve that firm, sandy bottom and clear water that draws our families,
friends, and visitors to our beautiful beaches surrounding the lake? Let's first understand what causes muck and its
harmful lake effects, so we can take action.
Where does muck come from? Muck is formed as a result of the presence of nutr
nutrients
ients (fertilizers and droppings from
animals/waterfowl/fish) and decaying or dying organic materials in the lake, such as: branches, twigs, leaves, weeds,
grass clipping, and dead algae. Once they enter the lake, they begin to
break down and eventually leave
ave a layer of muck on the lake floor.
What does muck do? Muck allows for the growth of algae and
aquatic weeds. It's their food source! Excessive algae can give the
water a greenish hue and be harmful to fish. The growth of
invasive weeds can prevent boats
ats from navigating safely and
requires the use of chemicals in the water to attempt to eliminate
them.
How do we get rid of it? The best and most affordable way to
prevent muck is to stop the materials from entering the lake in the
first place. This stops
ps the decay process from even beginning. If we
find materials such as branches, floating twigs, and wood on the lake
floor, we should remove them. Use of pool skimmers can help with clumps of leaves and grass. Raking the lake bottom
with a pond and beach rake is effective in removing debris as well. Dead fish and animal droppings should be removed
and disposed of promptly. Avoid feeding waterfowl and avoid any use of lawn and garden fertilizers.
Costly measures to remove muck include use of: pellets, aera
aeration
tion systems, and enzymes. Pellets can be placed on the
lake floor to provide natural aerobic bacteria that will feed on the muck. The muck then turns into an odorless gas
(carbon dioxide) that is released at the surface of the water. Aeration systems can be used to provide oxygen into the
water to allow the already present, natural aerobic (needing oxygen) bacteria to do their job. A blend of non-toxic
non
vegetable enzymes can be used as a catalyst to biodegrade the organic matter, making it easier for the beneficial
be
bacteria to feed on the muck. Because of the large size of Lake Missaukee, the use and cost of these measures to treat
the whole lake would not be a viable option. So, the work is ours.
Preventing debris from entering the lake and prompt removal are our best options in keeping Lake Missaukee beautiful
and clear. If we all do our part in removal, (rather than pushing it into other areas of the lake), we will promote a clean,
healthy fishing environment, and beauty for years to come.
References:
http://blog.thepondguy.com/2009/04/03/controlling
http://blog.thepondguy.com/2009/04/03/controlling-mucky-bottoms-pond-lake-q-a-week-ending
ending-april-4th/
http://store.aquaticbiologists.com/bio-boost
boost-bacteria-muck-digester-pellets-1/
http://lake-savers.com/aerobic-bacteria-natures
natures-rapid-muck-digesters/
LOCAL WEB SITES
Lake City Chamber of Commerce – www.lakecitymich.com
Lake Township – www.laketownshipmissaukee.com
Missaukee Sentinel – www.missaukeesentinel.com
Page 5
SHORELINES
SPRING 2014
MLA ANNUAL MEETING 2013 HIGHLIGHTS
The Missaukee Lake Association held its 2013 annual meeting on July 20. Board members Marilyn Zondervan, Allen
Jensen, and Dave Thompson resigned their positions after years of service. Dave Thompson was especially recognized
for his tireless work mapping milfoil locations. Dave’s work was instrumental in our ability to keep this invasive species
at bay. New board members Jerry Grimwood, Gary Gremel, and Julie Lalik, were elected and welcomed.
A huge thank you and standing ovation was given to outgoing President, Dick Morrow, who switched
board positions and will now act as our Treasurer. Vice-President, Bill Ardis, will take over as President,
and Richard Levandowski leaves the Treasurer position to become Vice-President.
Dick Morrow reported that he accompanied the team doing the milfoil survey. He suggested that every other year the
grid map that they use should be changed in orientation in order to better survey the lake. This should help find more
patches of the milfoil.
Board member, Mimi Zwolak, asked the membership to make a $500 donation to help the Community Swim Program.
The program was run for over 25 years by the Kiwanis Club which disbanded in 2012. A group from the community
organized to keep the swim program “afloat”. Mimi said that she thought a donation fit into our stated purpose of
“safety and education”. The membership voted to make the donation which went to help buy a new swim platform.
(See more on this below).
The 2014 annual meeting will be held on the Saturday, July 19, at 9:00 am at the Lake Township Hall.
THE GREATEST FOURTH IN THE NORTH - July 2-6, 2014
The 2014 Celebration begins Tuesday, July 2 and ends on Sunday, July 6th.
The theme this year is "It's Kick-Off Time at the Greatest 4th in the North."
The most commonly asked questions concerning the festival are: "When
are the fireworks and when is the Grand Parade?" To answer these
questions, the fireworks are ALWAYS on July 4. The Grand Parade is also
always on July 4, EXCEPT…when the 4th falls on a Sunday, which it does not
this year, so the Grand Parade will be Friday, July 4 at 10:00 a.m. The 2014
programs will be available at the Chamber office, area businesses &
Michigan Welcome Centers in May.
COMMUNTIY SWIM PROGRAM
The swim program was able to serve 106 children, ages 4 – 17, over the course of
two three week sessions in 2013. Each child was able to receive swim instruction,
levels ranging from beginner to advanced, from dedicated and trained certified
water safety instructors over the course of this time.
The Swim Program dates for 2014 are: Monday – Friday, July 7 – 25, and July 28August 15. Applications are available at the library and the Chamber.
Page 6
SHORELINES
MISSAUKEE CONSERVATION DISTRICT - Chere Elenbaas
IMPORTANT DATES
sided insert for all the important events
Please take a look at the enclosed double-sided
offered by the Conservation District.
2014 Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off
Tire, Latex Paint, Electronics Collection & Confidential Paper Shredding
Saturday, June 7, 2014
9:00 – 1:00pm
Missaukee County Road Commission
199 N. Morey Rd.
SAFE BOATING MAP
Reprinted with permission from Michigan Lake and Stream Associations, Inc.
http://www.mymlsa.org
SPRING 2014
Page 7
SHORELINES
SPRING 2014
FASCINATING LOONS by Natalie Davis – Missaukee Paddle Sports
Loons are fascinating creatures. They have captured the hearts of many – their image iconic; their call,
call the siren of our
northern lakes in summer. From afar, their size and shape are distinctive in silhouette. The loon’s bold plumage is
reminiscent of their relative, the penguin. The loon’s haunting wail se
sets
ts the senses on high alert for a chance to glimpse
one. They bob and dive so quickly, a glimpse is often our only reward. Their movements so graceful yet commanding
on, and in, the water.
Like so many Michiganders, loons are snowbirds. Every fall, th
they
ey travel to either the Gulf of Mexico, or the eastern
coast. Their return to Northern Michigan signals the beginning of summer and so engages a troop of defenders.
defenders
For 25 years, Dixie Lee Lockwood served as Sapphire Lake’s Loon Ranger – a volunteer forr the Michigan Loon
Preservation Association. As the title suggests, Dixie Lee was the loon’s protector and the public’s educator. Her job
sometimes entailed intervention, too. ”There is not a wild thing in this world that is not losing ground,” Dixie notes.
n
She
worries so about them, even years after resigning
her official position as Loon Ranger.
The loons we see on Lake Missaukee, according to
Dixie, do not nest here, but only come to feed.
Sapphire Lake has the ideal environment for loon
nesting and is one of only two lakes in the area on
which the loons nest – the other being Crooked
Lake. The marshy areas provide floating grass
islands and protection with its inaccessibility. As
Dixie sees it, that is “good news for the loons, the
nesting area is undeveloped and unlikely to be.”
A pair of loons on Sapphire Lake. They visit Lake Missaukee quite often.
Our Common Loon, the only loon species in Michigan, is listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act.
There are less than 700 birds in the entire state. They are particularly sensitive to human disturbance during nesting
time, May to July. Other risks to the loons include the application of herbicides during nesting time, and algae blooms
from fertilizer run off. Likely the most
st disruptive to the loon are human curiosity and our desire to get a closer look.
Dixie Lee retold the story of one evening hearing the loons’ distress call, the tremolo – a wavering call so distinctively
loon. When she and Joel went out to investigate, they found a man had actually anchored to a loon nest. Joel
announced through his loud speaker, “This is God. Don’t bother my birds
birds!”” The man looked up and left, posthaste!
When asked for her favorite memory, Dixie Lee says there is so much in her 25 years as Loon Ranger. It is not in seeing
but in listening. “On a warm summer evening, with my windows open, to just listen to them – so relaxing.”
For more information on Loons visit:
Michigan Loon Preservation Association - www.michiganloons.com
Michigan Lake and Stream Associations - www.mymlsa.org
All About Birds - www.allaboutbirds.org
Michigan Natural Features Inventory - mnfi.anr.msu.edu
Page 8
SHORELINES
SPRING 2014
1723 S. Dickerson Rd.
Lake City, MI 49651
Annual Meeting Notice
Missaukee Lake Association, Inc.
9:00 am Saturday, July 19, 2014
Lake Township Hall (Kelly Rd. west of Dickerson Rd.)
Anyone interested in Lake Missaukee is welcome to attend
JOIN MISSAUKEE LAKE ASSOCIATION TODAY
Our objective is simple: To maintain and/or improve the overall water quality of Lake Missaukee.
Fill out and mail today!
Name ___________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________ City_________________ State____ Zip_______
Phone________________________________________
Lake City Address if different ______________________________________________________
Association Suggested Dues: $50 - Individual, Corporate, Non-profit.
Please make checks payable to: Missaukee Lake Association, Inc.
Mail check and application to:
Missaukee Lake Association, c/o Mimi Zwolak, 1723 S. Dickerson Rd., Lake City, MI 49651