Aquatic Mapping 2013- present
We are now contracting with PLM a professional lake management company to do state of the art GPS surveys to identify the milfoil beds. Treatment has occurred every year except the period of four years (2016-2019) when we had to get a Special Assessment District (SAD) through the township to treat. Treatment resumed in 2020.
We are now contracting with PLM a professional lake management company to do state of the art GPS surveys to identify the milfoil beds. Treatment has occurred every year except the period of four years (2016-2019) when we had to get a Special Assessment District (SAD) through the township to treat. Treatment resumed in 2020.
Aquatic Mapping 2002 vs. 2012
The following article was published in the Crawford County Avalanche,
September 6, 2012
Aquatic Mapping of Lake Margrethe in Progress
Ten years ago, members of the Lake Margrethe Property Owners Association (LMPOA) conducted a mapping survey of the aquatic plants found in Lake Margrethe. On July 10th, LMPOA members again met with an expert from MSU’s Fisheries and Wildlife Department, Jo Latimore, and her intern, Paige Filice. Jo helped everyone become comfortable with identifying the type of aquatic plants in Lake Margrethe and the procedures for mapping the lake. After attending the Michigan Lake and Streams Conference in April, Ken and Sandra Michalik and Len and Diane Bingert divided the Lake into 30 transects or imaginary lines extending into the lake, about .3 miles apart. Each transect was given a GPS coordinate and a description based on a shoreline feature. Each volunteer group was then given 5 or 6 transects to map. At each transect a raking device was thrown into the lake four times (noon, 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, 9 o’clock positions) at 1ft., 5 ft and 10 ft. Any plant that was found was identified and noted for density (found, sparse, moderate, heavy, dense). The samples have all been taken and the data is currently being compiled for the lake.
“It will be really interesting to see the changes that have taken place over the past ten years and will guide us as we make decisions about treating the Eurasian Milfoil” said Chuck Spencer, President of LMPOA and a volunteer for both the 2002 and current mapping activities.
Eurasion Milfoil continues to be the plant of most concern. A separate mapping survey was conducted last fall and early this spring specifically to identify milfoil “hot spots”. Many of those were treated with an herbicide by a professional lake management company in June. Native milfoil has a normal balance in the lake. Eurasian Milfoil is not native to Michigan lakes and was introduced accidentally by ships entering the Great Lakes and then boats bringing it to inland lakes. “We need to be sure all boaters entering and exiting Lake Margrethe have emptied all water from their bilge and removed plant matter from props and trailers. It is bad enough that we have to treat milfoil. I can’t imagine what will happen if we continue to get non-native invasive species in Lake Margrethe” stated Sandra Michalik, a director for LMPOA.
Todd Wilson, a member of LMPOA, brought his four children and a niece and nephew to the training. “I want to be sure my family helps whenever possible. This lake provides so much enjoyment for all of us” said Wilson.
Concerned parties who are not yet members are invited to join LMPOA by sending $25 to P.O. Box 361, Grayling, Mi. 49738. Please provide contact information including your addresses, phone numbers and email address. How to join and a contact form is also on the website.
www.lakemargrethe.weebly.com
UPDATES
During the fall of 2012, the data was compiled and analyzed. It was then compared to the data from 2002. As you can see below.... the changes are minimal between 2002 and 2012. There is an increase in the milfoil population, but it's presence is still in the "found" category. We are also monitoring it very careful and have great GPS maps of its location. If you would like to join the monitoring group, please contact Sandra at [email protected]
September 6, 2012
Aquatic Mapping of Lake Margrethe in Progress
Ten years ago, members of the Lake Margrethe Property Owners Association (LMPOA) conducted a mapping survey of the aquatic plants found in Lake Margrethe. On July 10th, LMPOA members again met with an expert from MSU’s Fisheries and Wildlife Department, Jo Latimore, and her intern, Paige Filice. Jo helped everyone become comfortable with identifying the type of aquatic plants in Lake Margrethe and the procedures for mapping the lake. After attending the Michigan Lake and Streams Conference in April, Ken and Sandra Michalik and Len and Diane Bingert divided the Lake into 30 transects or imaginary lines extending into the lake, about .3 miles apart. Each transect was given a GPS coordinate and a description based on a shoreline feature. Each volunteer group was then given 5 or 6 transects to map. At each transect a raking device was thrown into the lake four times (noon, 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, 9 o’clock positions) at 1ft., 5 ft and 10 ft. Any plant that was found was identified and noted for density (found, sparse, moderate, heavy, dense). The samples have all been taken and the data is currently being compiled for the lake.
“It will be really interesting to see the changes that have taken place over the past ten years and will guide us as we make decisions about treating the Eurasian Milfoil” said Chuck Spencer, President of LMPOA and a volunteer for both the 2002 and current mapping activities.
Eurasion Milfoil continues to be the plant of most concern. A separate mapping survey was conducted last fall and early this spring specifically to identify milfoil “hot spots”. Many of those were treated with an herbicide by a professional lake management company in June. Native milfoil has a normal balance in the lake. Eurasian Milfoil is not native to Michigan lakes and was introduced accidentally by ships entering the Great Lakes and then boats bringing it to inland lakes. “We need to be sure all boaters entering and exiting Lake Margrethe have emptied all water from their bilge and removed plant matter from props and trailers. It is bad enough that we have to treat milfoil. I can’t imagine what will happen if we continue to get non-native invasive species in Lake Margrethe” stated Sandra Michalik, a director for LMPOA.
Todd Wilson, a member of LMPOA, brought his four children and a niece and nephew to the training. “I want to be sure my family helps whenever possible. This lake provides so much enjoyment for all of us” said Wilson.
Concerned parties who are not yet members are invited to join LMPOA by sending $25 to P.O. Box 361, Grayling, Mi. 49738. Please provide contact information including your addresses, phone numbers and email address. How to join and a contact form is also on the website.
www.lakemargrethe.weebly.com
UPDATES
During the fall of 2012, the data was compiled and analyzed. It was then compared to the data from 2002. As you can see below.... the changes are minimal between 2002 and 2012. There is an increase in the milfoil population, but it's presence is still in the "found" category. We are also monitoring it very careful and have great GPS maps of its location. If you would like to join the monitoring group, please contact Sandra at [email protected]
