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
HELP US IMPROVE OUR LAKES!
SIGN-UP TODAY FOR OUR MAY 22nd PLANTING SESSION
We NEED Member Volunteers to help install Native Plants at 3 locations to help address nutrients feeding into our Lakes.
If you have a few hours to assist with planting under the supervision of our ecologists.
Sign up today by contacting the office:
Phone: (517) 688-9704 or Email: lakeleannpoa@gmail.com
YOU CAN HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
We will be meeting at the South Lake (SL- 6) Mooring Sites on Sauk Trail East of Baker Road and will disperse to several sites from there. Work is scheduled for 9:00AM – 3:00 PM
Please bring any of the following that you have:
planting hand tools, shovel, large hammer, box cutters, axe, chain saw, propane torch, wheelbarrow, pickup truck and/or trailer
Come dressed to plant including footwear to allow for working around or in the water.
An additional Planting Session is planned for Sunday June 13th
Please feel free to sign up for that too !
Posted 05/2021
SIGN-UP TODAY FOR OUR MAY 22nd PLANTING SESSION
We NEED Member Volunteers to help install Native Plants at 3 locations to help address nutrients feeding into our Lakes.
If you have a few hours to assist with planting under the supervision of our ecologists.
Sign up today by contacting the office:
Phone: (517) 688-9704 or Email: lakeleannpoa@gmail.com
YOU CAN HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
We will be meeting at the South Lake (SL- 6) Mooring Sites on Sauk Trail East of Baker Road and will disperse to several sites from there. Work is scheduled for 9:00AM – 3:00 PM
Please bring any of the following that you have:
planting hand tools, shovel, large hammer, box cutters, axe, chain saw, propane torch, wheelbarrow, pickup truck and/or trailer
Come dressed to plant including footwear to allow for working around or in the water.
An additional Planting Session is planned for Sunday June 13th
Please feel free to sign up for that too !
Posted 05/2021
Summer Lake Water Levels Update
Starting on May 3rd the dams have been reset to start filling the lakes back up to the Summer Water Levels. We expect that this process will take about 2-weeks depending on the amount of rain that we receive.
Posted 05/2021
Starting on May 3rd the dams have been reset to start filling the lakes back up to the Summer Water Levels. We expect that this process will take about 2-weeks depending on the amount of rain that we receive.
Posted 05/2021
Aerial Video - Evelyn Bay
Brooklyn Exponent News Article about our new Laminar Flow Aeration System Published 4-27-21
Zoom: Shoreline Management Practices and Lake LeAnn Shoreline Projects Meeting held 4-17-21
Hillsdale Daily News Article about our new Laminar Flow Aeration System Published 4-19-2021
Laminar Flow Aeration (LFA)
Posted 04/2021
The Facts about Mooring Site Assignments
This posting is to help clear up some misunderstandings which, unfortunately, have been promulgated by two former LLPOA Board members. Here are the facts:
• Mooring sites were allocated in the order determined by random draw at the lottery. Early draws are, of course, more likely to get their preferred mooring site. The lottery was broadcast live via Zoom on March 16th.
• This year, 143 LLPOA members entered the lottery. Of these, 18 were members with lakefront property. This number includes 14 island residents and 1 member with special circumstances who has kept a mooring site for several decades.
• Another 18 members requested mooring sites after the March 1st lottery registration deadline. These members were added to a wait list, and are currently being assigned remaining sites that were not allocated through the lottery mechanism.
• ALL members who have already requested a mooring site, whether through the lottery system or through addition to the wait list, will be assigned a mooring site. None of these members have been denied a site.
• The LLPOA Board will not violate our By-Laws and basic tenets of fairness by creating different classes of members with different rights. All members in good standing have equal access to all Association amenities.
Posted 03/2021
This posting is to help clear up some misunderstandings which, unfortunately, have been promulgated by two former LLPOA Board members. Here are the facts:
• Mooring sites were allocated in the order determined by random draw at the lottery. Early draws are, of course, more likely to get their preferred mooring site. The lottery was broadcast live via Zoom on March 16th.
• This year, 143 LLPOA members entered the lottery. Of these, 18 were members with lakefront property. This number includes 14 island residents and 1 member with special circumstances who has kept a mooring site for several decades.
• Another 18 members requested mooring sites after the March 1st lottery registration deadline. These members were added to a wait list, and are currently being assigned remaining sites that were not allocated through the lottery mechanism.
• ALL members who have already requested a mooring site, whether through the lottery system or through addition to the wait list, will be assigned a mooring site. None of these members have been denied a site.
• The LLPOA Board will not violate our By-Laws and basic tenets of fairness by creating different classes of members with different rights. All members in good standing have equal access to all Association amenities.
Posted 03/2021
Water Quality Improvement Project
In January, we finally received approval from EGLE of our Comprehensive Shoreline Protection Plan and it is now posted on our Website under the “More…” tab. Our Plan calls for extensive natural plantings to be installed in three Demonstration Areas and two Critical Source Areas (CSA’s). The natural plantings will help filter the nutrients coming into our lake from the CSA’s and the Demonstration Areas as suggested by EGLE and will provide our members with hands-on experience using natural planting alternatives for shoreline protection.
We will need many volunteers from our membership to install the plantings in order to keep our costs down. More information about this will be available at our first 2021 Informational ZOOM Town Hall Meeting April 17th. Brian Majka, Senior Restorative Ecologist, GEI Consultants and Erick Elgin, Aquatic Ecologist, Michigan State University Extension will be on our panel to explain the benefits of lake-friendly shoreline management practices, and a review of the specific shoreline restoration projects planned for Lake LeAnn and answer any questions that you may have. Please save this important date in your calendar.
Posted 02/2021
In January, we finally received approval from EGLE of our Comprehensive Shoreline Protection Plan and it is now posted on our Website under the “More…” tab. Our Plan calls for extensive natural plantings to be installed in three Demonstration Areas and two Critical Source Areas (CSA’s). The natural plantings will help filter the nutrients coming into our lake from the CSA’s and the Demonstration Areas as suggested by EGLE and will provide our members with hands-on experience using natural planting alternatives for shoreline protection.
We will need many volunteers from our membership to install the plantings in order to keep our costs down. More information about this will be available at our first 2021 Informational ZOOM Town Hall Meeting April 17th. Brian Majka, Senior Restorative Ecologist, GEI Consultants and Erick Elgin, Aquatic Ecologist, Michigan State University Extension will be on our panel to explain the benefits of lake-friendly shoreline management practices, and a review of the specific shoreline restoration projects planned for Lake LeAnn and answer any questions that you may have. Please save this important date in your calendar.
Posted 02/2021
Next Annual Meeting
The next Annual Meeting will be held Saturday June 12th.
New location will be Addison High School 219 S Comstock St, Addison, MI 49220
Posted 01/2021
The next Annual Meeting will be held Saturday June 12th.
New location will be Addison High School 219 S Comstock St, Addison, MI 49220
Posted 01/2021