For many people visiting and moving here, it’s all about the water. Unfortunately, the same is true for other, less-welcome entities: Eurasian watermilfoil, Quagga mussels, purple loosestrife and other invasive species. Combating these and other unwelcome plants and animals is an ongoing challenge. For example, Lake Leelanau has been in the news for its battle against Eurasian watermilfoil, a plant native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Now Glen Lake has discovered signs of the plant. If unchecked, it spreads quickly and forms thick mats in shallow areas. It blocks sunlight and kills native aquatic plants that fish and other underwater species rely on for food and shelter. Glen Lake Association watershed biologist Rob Karner says treating invasives follows a simple formula: find it, deal with it, and repeat until it’s gone. But while the formula may be simple, it’s far from easy.
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In early June, Glen Lake Association (GLA) watershed biologist Rob Karner reported a significant fish die off, the likes of which he had never before seen in his more than 40 years of observing the lakes and rivers in the Glen Lakes watershed. The die off included at least four species—perch, small mouth bass, northern long nosed gar, and sand shiners.
Are you hearing a gurgling sound from the toilet? Is the tub or sink surprisingly slow to drain? Or, even worse, is there a patch of constantly wet and stinky grass in your yard? Those are all signs that something might be wrong with your home or cottage septic system.
Photo by Chris Pina By Linda Alice Dewey Sun contributor “How beautiful is Glen Lake and Sleeping Bear Bay and the Sleeping Bear Dunes?” asks Rob Karner, water biologist for the Glen Lake Association (GLA). “Who’s going to protect it?” It’s a concern to GLA president Dennis Becker as well. Like many others in recent […]
The biological control of the widespread zebra and quagga mussel infestation in inland lakes will be the focus of a four-part seminar, “Water Issues For All of Us” to be held on Thursday, June 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Leelanau County Government Center, 8527 E. Government Center Drive, in Suttons Bay.
The pristine water quality of Big and Little Glen Lakes along with the protected shorelines, natural hillsides, turquoise water, and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore being the largest riparian on the lake, it is hard to find a more unique and beautiful lake in the country. Furthermore, this national treasure should be protected so as to keep it in a natural and pristine condition, now and for future generations.
When the US Army Corps of Engineers measured Lake Michigan and Lake Huron water levels at the end of December, they discovered that the depth had receded to 576.15 feet above sea level — breaking the record for the previous all-time-low of 576.2 feet set in 1964. That’s not a record to celebrate. Numbers are complex and difficult to comprehend. But beaches along Sleeping Bear Bay offered more clarity, and sobering clarity at that. The shoreline has receded substantially from previous years, leaving behind a hard, rocky surface in places, and prompting widespread alarm.
At last year’s annual meeting of the Glen Lake Association (GLA), watershed biologist Rob Karner gave a sneak preview of how the dredging of Hatlem Pond was being targeted as one of its major water quality projects for 2012.
Managing Shoreline: Natural landscaping for lake health, erosion control, and nutrient absorption- a workshop for property owners will be held on Wednesday, June 27, from 7-9 p.m. at the Leelanau Government and Community Center, 8527 E. Government Center Drive, Suttons Bay. Registration is $5 until June 20. After the 20 and at the door registration is $10. To register call (231) 256-9812. Topics will include healthy lake ecosystems, design of natural landscapes on shorelines, problems with high impact landscape methods, use of native plants and State rules and permits. This workshop is hosted by Leelanau Clean Water in cooperation with the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership. Leaders will be Buzz Long from the Leelanau Conservation District, Sarah U’Ren from the Watershed Center, and Rob Karner, field biologist from The Leelanau School.
On a typical school day during the growing season, food service directors at both Glen Lake School and The Leelanau School are serving up as many locally grown, fresh ingredients as their budgets and time allow. They’re also teaching students to cook and, with the help of faculty, familiarizing them with the sources of their food.