NATURAL SHORELINES AND SEAWALLS
The LLPOA is providing this information to all Members who may be considering a more natural shoreline and/or eco-friendly seawalls. Follow the links below to learn more.
LEARN ABOUT EROSION AND EROSION CONTROL OPTIONS:
Short overview of problems with seawalls, and the advantages and costs of natural shorelines:
https://www.michigan.gov/.../wrd-natural-shorelines...
Another good overview of erosion, how plants help prevent it, and seawalls make it worse https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/erosion-at-the...
Specific techniques for controlling erosion and their associated costs
https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/shoreline-erosion...
NATIVE PLANTINGS- WHAT, WHERE AND WHY:
List of native plants, why they are preferred, and which to plant in different zones relative to the shoreline
https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/plants-for-inland...
CONTRACTORS:
Need help? List of natural shoreline professionals
https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/find-a-shoreline...
Posted 7/2021
The LLPOA is providing this information to all Members who may be considering a more natural shoreline and/or eco-friendly seawalls. Follow the links below to learn more.
LEARN ABOUT EROSION AND EROSION CONTROL OPTIONS:
Short overview of problems with seawalls, and the advantages and costs of natural shorelines:
https://www.michigan.gov/.../wrd-natural-shorelines...
Another good overview of erosion, how plants help prevent it, and seawalls make it worse https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/erosion-at-the...
Specific techniques for controlling erosion and their associated costs
https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/shoreline-erosion...
NATIVE PLANTINGS- WHAT, WHERE AND WHY:
List of native plants, why they are preferred, and which to plant in different zones relative to the shoreline
https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/plants-for-inland...
CONTRACTORS:
Need help? List of natural shoreline professionals
https://www.mishorelinepartnership.org/find-a-shoreline...
Posted 7/2021
"NATIVE PLANTINGS"
Our sincere thanks to everyone that participated in the June 13th Native Planting Project. We had 35 attendees and completed all five areas of plantings and coir log installations. Special thanks to Brian Majka (GEI Ecologist) for your hands on leadership, Kate Kirkpatrick from EGLE and Jeff Conners from EverBlue for their extra effort on this project.
All in all it was a HUGE success AGAIN!
Click here for great pictures !
As many of you have requested, below is a link to the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership with a great deal of information about Native Plantings, including what plants will work best in each area and where to purchase.
Click here for information: Plants For Inland Lakes
A permit is not required for you to place native plants above or on your shoreline. Larger scale projects (such as those involving placements of coir logs or riprap) will likely involve applying for a Minor Permit from EGLE, who will provide guidance and expedited review.
Posted 06/2021
Our sincere thanks to everyone that participated in the June 13th Native Planting Project. We had 35 attendees and completed all five areas of plantings and coir log installations. Special thanks to Brian Majka (GEI Ecologist) for your hands on leadership, Kate Kirkpatrick from EGLE and Jeff Conners from EverBlue for their extra effort on this project.
All in all it was a HUGE success AGAIN!
Click here for great pictures !
As many of you have requested, below is a link to the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership with a great deal of information about Native Plantings, including what plants will work best in each area and where to purchase.
Click here for information: Plants For Inland Lakes
A permit is not required for you to place native plants above or on your shoreline. Larger scale projects (such as those involving placements of coir logs or riprap) will likely involve applying for a Minor Permit from EGLE, who will provide guidance and expedited review.
Posted 06/2021
FAQs: What to expect this year regarding the Lake LeAnn Water Quality Project
What exactly are we doing to treat Lake LeAnn this year?
Employing a series of complementary approaches, including laminar flow aeration (to increase oxygen levels in the lakes), bioaugmentation (to break down organic waste on lake bottom), native planting (to filter incoming water and stabilize the shoreline), and encouraging a number of best management practices by our members to further decrease excess nutrient levels.
-How exactly do the aeration and bioaugmentation work?
Aeration provides oxygen deep in the lake, so that oxygen-loving microorganisms can break down the ‘compost’ (muck and sediment from undecayed dead plants and algae) on the lake bottom. This prevents the liberation of phosphorus into the water column that feeds algae during summer months. Aeration also disrupts the special pattern of blue-green algae movement in the water column that gives it a competitive advantage over other less harmful organisms. Bioaugmentation treatment, which will begin in June, adds additional oxygen-loving friendly microbes to the lake, complementing aeration by working to out-compete algae for excess nutrients. With time, decreased compost on the lake bottom will impact nuisance plants as well.
-So will water quality be significantly improved this year?
Every lake responds differently to treatments, depending on its initial condition and other unique characteristics, as well as yearly fluctuations in temperature and rainfall. The changes that we hope to see this year include a decrease in algae, some increase in water clarity, and perhaps a decrease in muck. All of these might not be seen uniformly around both lakes. It is likely that changes in the abundance of nuisance plants will take longer to observe.
-Will we be treating the lakes with chemicals this year?
Yes, chemical treatment remains an important part of our arsenal, at least for the moment. Surveys of the lakes by boat and drone indicate that both lakes have a high abundance of several types of nuisance vegetation. These plants have survived from last year due to a relatively mild winter; similar findings are being reported on many lakes. These plants have also survived prior treatments, indicating there may be the emergence of some treatment-resistance. This is precisely why our long-term strategy cannot depend solely on the continued use of chemicals, but instead on the adoption of complementary approaches. In the meantime, as the other methods gain some traction, we will undertake a one-time widespread treatment of the lakes later this month in order to try to keep the unwanted vegetation at bay. Look for upcoming announcements of the timing of the treatment, as well as any temporary restrictions on the use of lake water for watering plants. If this treatment is successful, follow-up treatments for the remainder of the year will hopefully be more limited in scope and more targeted.
-What can I do to help?
Help out with the native planting sessions scheduled for May and June, then plant some native plants on your own property. Stabilize your shoreline in an eco-friendly manner. Decrease or eliminate fertilizer use. Stop growing and clipping grass near the lake. Empty and inspect your septic system. Contact us with questions.
Posted 5/2021
What exactly are we doing to treat Lake LeAnn this year?
Employing a series of complementary approaches, including laminar flow aeration (to increase oxygen levels in the lakes), bioaugmentation (to break down organic waste on lake bottom), native planting (to filter incoming water and stabilize the shoreline), and encouraging a number of best management practices by our members to further decrease excess nutrient levels.
-How exactly do the aeration and bioaugmentation work?
Aeration provides oxygen deep in the lake, so that oxygen-loving microorganisms can break down the ‘compost’ (muck and sediment from undecayed dead plants and algae) on the lake bottom. This prevents the liberation of phosphorus into the water column that feeds algae during summer months. Aeration also disrupts the special pattern of blue-green algae movement in the water column that gives it a competitive advantage over other less harmful organisms. Bioaugmentation treatment, which will begin in June, adds additional oxygen-loving friendly microbes to the lake, complementing aeration by working to out-compete algae for excess nutrients. With time, decreased compost on the lake bottom will impact nuisance plants as well.
-So will water quality be significantly improved this year?
Every lake responds differently to treatments, depending on its initial condition and other unique characteristics, as well as yearly fluctuations in temperature and rainfall. The changes that we hope to see this year include a decrease in algae, some increase in water clarity, and perhaps a decrease in muck. All of these might not be seen uniformly around both lakes. It is likely that changes in the abundance of nuisance plants will take longer to observe.
-Will we be treating the lakes with chemicals this year?
Yes, chemical treatment remains an important part of our arsenal, at least for the moment. Surveys of the lakes by boat and drone indicate that both lakes have a high abundance of several types of nuisance vegetation. These plants have survived from last year due to a relatively mild winter; similar findings are being reported on many lakes. These plants have also survived prior treatments, indicating there may be the emergence of some treatment-resistance. This is precisely why our long-term strategy cannot depend solely on the continued use of chemicals, but instead on the adoption of complementary approaches. In the meantime, as the other methods gain some traction, we will undertake a one-time widespread treatment of the lakes later this month in order to try to keep the unwanted vegetation at bay. Look for upcoming announcements of the timing of the treatment, as well as any temporary restrictions on the use of lake water for watering plants. If this treatment is successful, follow-up treatments for the remainder of the year will hopefully be more limited in scope and more targeted.
-What can I do to help?
Help out with the native planting sessions scheduled for May and June, then plant some native plants on your own property. Stabilize your shoreline in an eco-friendly manner. Decrease or eliminate fertilizer use. Stop growing and clipping grass near the lake. Empty and inspect your septic system. Contact us with questions.
Posted 5/2021
New Drone Videos of the Aeration System
These are spectacular aerial views of our lakes and clearly show the aerators operating in each area.
Special Thanks to Director Dave Wagner for providing the drone video!
Posted 5/2021
These are spectacular aerial views of our lakes and clearly show the aerators operating in each area.
Special Thanks to Director Dave Wagner for providing the drone video!
Posted 5/2021
Zoom: Shoreline Management Practices and Lake LeAnn Shoreline Projects Meeting held 4-17-21
Brooklyn Exponent News Article about our new Laminar Flow Aeration System Published 4-27-21
Hillsdale Daily News Article about our new Laminar Flow Aeration System Published 4-19-2021
Laminar Flow Aeration (LFA)
Posted 04/2021