Burt Lake Watershed
The purpose of this StoryMap is to educate and inform the public about the history, ongoing efforts, and current status of the Burt Lake Watershed Management Plan. This StoryMap was created wholly or in part by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy's Watershed Council Support funding.
Introduction
What is a watershed?
A watershed is an area of land that channels all the rainfall, snowmelt, and runoff into a body of water like a lake or river.
Watersheds can be small and include an area of land that drains into a trickling creek. They can encompass multiple states in the Midwest, all draining into the Mississippi River. Or they can encompass multiple countries draining into the Atlantic Ocean.
No matter where you are standing or sitting right now, you are in a watershed. And what you do everyday can help protect your favorite wetland, lake, or stream.
What is a Watershed Management Plan?
A Watershed Management Plan identifies challenges and threats to water resources and outlines a strategy to address these issues within a specific watershed. Its primary purpose is to guide watershed coordinators, resource managers, policy makers, and community organizations in efforts to restore and protect the quality of lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands within the watershed. The plan serves as a practical tool, providing specific recommendations for practices that can improve and sustain water quality. During the development of a watershed management plan, various resource inventories are conducted to evaluate different types of nonpoint source pollution. These inventories typically include assessments of agriculture, forestry, road stream crossings, and surveys of streambanks and shorelines.
To be eligible for 319 nonpoint source funding, watershed management plans must meet EGLE’s Clean Michigan Initiative (CMI) criteria and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 9 Elements of a Watershed Management Plan. These plans are considered "living documents," meaning they must be reexamined and revised over time to reflect changing conditions and the achievement of goals.
The EGLE Nonpoint Source Program has developed a reference sheet outlining CMI, Nine-Element, and Phase II watershed management plan requirements .
Burt Lake Watershed
Geography
The Burt Lake Watershed encompasses approximately 371,173 acres and runs north and south across portions of Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, and Otsego counties. The topography is steeply rolling to nearly level, with elevation ranging from roughly 1,300 feet above sea level at the watershed’s highest point, to the mouth at 594 feet above sea level.
Water Bodies
The Burt Lake Watershed is home to several significant water bodies, each contributing to the region's ecological diversity and recreational opportunities. The central feature is Burt Lake , a large and clear oligotrophic lake covering 17,436 acres with approximately 35 miles of shoreline. Burt Lake is Michigan's fourth largest inland lake and the largest in the Burt Lake Watershed. The lake has extensive areas of shallow or only moderately-deep water, and a relatively small area of deep water that reaches 73 feet down at its maximum depth. With clear blue water and a sandy bottom, it's a popular destination for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. Burt Lake is situated in the middle of the historic Inland Waterway, a series of interconnected lakes and rivers providing a navigable route that extends to Lake Huron.
Other waterbodies in the Burt Lake Watershed include:
- Crooked-Pickerel Lakes : Crooked and Pickerel Lakes are interconnected water bodies within the Burt Lake Watershed, together covering approximately 3,433 acres. Pickerel Lake has a surface area of 1,082 acres, a shoreline of 7.1 miles, and reaches a maximum depth of 70 feet. It is primarily fed by groundwater seepage and Cedar Creek, with Mud Creek also serving as a significant tributary. The lake supports a mesotrophic environment, characterized by moderate levels of nutrients that sustain aquatic plant growth and algae. Crooked Lake, with a surface area of 2,351 acres and a shoreline of 16.2 acres, has a maximum depth of 50 feet. The lake receives inflows from Minnehaha Creek and other smaller streams. The Crooked River serves as the primary outflow for both lakes, connecting them to Burt Lake as part of the larger Inland Waterway system. Both lakes are known for excellent fishing and the surrounding wetlands provide invaluable habitats for a variety of wildlife.
- Douglas Lake : Douglas Lake is a significant feature of the Burt Lake Watershed, covering approximately 3,727 acres with a shoreline of 15 miles. The lake reaches a maximum depth of 80 feet, primarily in the deep kettle holes between Pells Island and Grapevine Point. Formed by glacial activity, Douglas Lake is a kettle lake with five deep basins, surrounded by shallow shoals that support a diverse range of aquatic plants. The lake's primary inflows are Lancaster Creek and Beavertail Creek, with water exiting via the East Branch of the Maple River, the outflow being part of the Inland Waterway. Douglas Lake is home to the University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS), a facility for research and education in environmental sciences and field biology. UMBS's work has made Douglas Lake one of the most studied lakes globally, contributing extensive data on water quality and aquatic ecosystems.
- The Sturgeon River : The Sturgeon River, one of Michigan's fastest-flowing rivers, spans 24.5 miles with a slope of nearly 15 feet per mile. It originates from two branches: the East Branch near Gaylord in Otsego County and the West Branch from Huffman Lake and Thumb Lake in Eastern Charlevoix County. These branches converge at Wolverine, from where the river flows through undeveloped forests to its mouth at Burt Lake. Celebrated for its cold-water fishing, the river sees brook trout in its headwaters and brown trout throughout most of its mainstream. The Sturgeon River's fast and clear waters also make it a favorite for paddling and tubing.
- Other tributaries include: Allen Creek, Beaver Tail Creek, Beebe Creek, Berry (Cedar) Creek , Bessey Creek, Blackjack Creek, Bradley Creek, Brush Creek, Certon Creek, Club Stream, Cold Creek, Cope Creek, Crooked River , Deer Creek, Hasler Creek, Iduna Creek, Lancaster Creek, Little Carp River, Maple River , Marl Creek, McPhee Creek, Minnehaha Creek , Mossback Creek, Mud Creek (Cheboygan County), Mud Creek (Emmet County), Oden Creek, Pickerel Creek, Sanford Creek, Silver Creek, Stewart Creek, Unnamed Creek of West Burt Lake Road, Van Creek, Weber Lake, and White Goose Creek.
- Other lakes include: Arnott Lake, Barhite Lake, Berry Lake, Black Lake, Bows Lake, Clifford Lake, Fitzek Lake, Fleming Lake, Fulmer Lake, Heart Lake, Hoffman Lake, Huffman Lake , Kidney Lake, Lancaster Lake, Larks Lake , Marl Lake, Munro Lake , Olund Lake, Reardon Lake, Round Lake , Sherett Lake, Silver Lake, Silver Creek Pond, Spring Lake, Standard Lake, Stewart Creek, Storey Lake, Thumb Lake , Vincent Lake, Weber Lake, Wildwood Lake , and Woodin Lake.
Land Cover
The Burt Lake Watershed features a diverse range of land cover types that significantly influence the region's water resources. The majority of the watershed, approximately 51%, is covered by forested areas. Wetlands comprise about 15% of the watershed, agricultural land accounts for roughly 9%, grasslands and scrub/shrub areas together make up another 9% of the watershed, and urban areas, including small towns and residential developments, cover about 4% of the watershed. Additionally, water bodies, including lakes, rivers, and streams, make up 8% of the watershed, covering around 27,998 acres. Barren lands, which are areas with little or no vegetation, account for less than 1% of the watershed. Protected lands, including state forests and parks, federal forests, township and county parks, conservancy preserves, and conservation easements on private properties, comprise 30% of the watershed's total area, helping to safeguard its natural resources and biodiversity.
Soils
In the United States, soils are assigned to four hydrologic soil groups, A, B, C, and D. This describes their rate of water infiltration when the soils are not protected from vegetation, are thoroughly wet and receive precipitation from long-duration storms. Group A consists of soils that have high infiltration rates even when thoroughly wet, because of sandy or gravelly, well-draining soils. Group B has moderate infiltration rates. Groups C and D have respectively slower infiltration rates when thoroughly wet, due to fine texture or clay-rich soils.
The hydrologic soil groups in the Burt Lake Watershed include mostly A groups, followed by C and D.
Groundwater
Groundwater is critically important for water quality and ecosystem integrity of lakes, streams, and wetlands. Rain, melting snow, and other forms of precipitation move quickly into and through the ground throughout much of the Watershed due to highly permeable (sandy) soils. Gravity causes vertical migration of groundwater through soils until it reaches a depth where the ground is filled, or saturated, with water. This saturated zone in the ground is called the water table and can vary greatly in depth. The map illustrates groundwater recharges areas throughout the Watershed based on their respective infiltration rates.
Implementation Tasks
Implementation tasks are strategic actions designed to achieve specific goals within a watershed management plan. These tasks focus on improving water quality, protecting natural resources, and promoting sustainable land use practices.
Implementation Tasks Include:
- Best Management Practices (BMPs): Implement BMPs to control nonpoint source pollution, such as agricultural runoff and urban stormwater.
- Partnerships and Collaboration: Develop strong partnerships with local governments, community groups, and stakeholders. Collaborate on projects to protect the watershed.
- Information and Education: Launch educational programs to increase public awareness about water quality issues.
Specific Categories Covered by Implementation Tasks Include:
- Water Quality Monitoring: Conduct regular monitoring of physical, chemical, and biological parameters to track changes in water quality and identify areas needing intervention.
- Wetlands Protection: Preserve existing wetlands and restore degraded ones to enhance biodiversity, improve water filtration, and provide wildlife habitats.
- Shoreline and Streambank Protection: Implement erosion control measures and establish greenbelts along shorelines and streambanks to prevent erosion and protect aquatic habitats.
- Pollution Control: Address sources of nutrient and sediment pollution through targeted BMPs and regulatory measures.
- Habitat Restoration: Restore degraded habitats to support fish and wildlife populations.
- Community Engagement: Encourage local participation in watershed protection activities to foster a sense of stewardship among residents.
Water Quality
The water quality of the Burt Lake Watershed has been extensively monitored over the years by several organizations, including EGLE, United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council (TOMWC), USGS, UMBS, Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNWM), and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB). These efforts have provided comprehensive data on a wide range of physical, chemical, and biological parameters, crucial for assessing the watershed's health and guiding management actions.
Parameters Monitored
Multiple parameters are monitored when developing a watershed management plan. Monitoring includes over 40 physical and chemical parameters, including nutrients, aquatic macroinvertebrates, E. coli bacteria, pH, dissolved oxygen, and specific conductivity.
Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Monitoring, Maple River, 2024
- Nutrients: Phosphorus and nitrogen levels are monitored in lakes and streams to assess nutrient pollution and its potential impact on water quality and aquatic life.
- Aquatic Macroinvertebrates: Insects in their nymph and larval stages, such as dragonfly and stonefly nymphs, aquatic beetles, and water mites, are monitored to gauge stream health and biodiversity.
- E. coli Bacteria: This coliform bacteria indicates fecal contamination in the water, which can pose health risks and affect recreational water quality.
- pH: Monitoring pH levels ensures the water quality supports fisheries and other wildlife by maintaining a balanced aquatic environment.
- Dissolved Oxygen: DO levels are critical for supporting fisheries and other aquatic organisms, with healthy levels indicating good water quality.
- Specific Conductivity: Conductivity is monitored as it indicates the presence of dissolved salts and pollutants in the water.
Critical and Priority Areas
Critical Areas
Critical areas within the Burt Lake Watershed are regions where management measures need to be implemented to reduce nonpoint source pollution. These areas have been identified through resource inventories, Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis, and reports from resource managers. The main sources of nonpoint pollution include agriculture, urban stormwater, shoreline management, hydrologic manipulation, road/stream crossings, and malfunctioning septic systems. Identified Critical Areas:
- Stormwater Management
- Alanson and Spring Lake areas
- Indian River area
- Shoreline Degradation
- Six areas along Burt Lake's shoreline
- The western shore of Douglas Lake
- Conway and Ponshewaing areas on Crooked Lake
- The Wildwood Lake area
- Streambank Alterations
- The Crooked River, especially the "Devil's Elbow" area
- The lower section of the Sturgeon River through Indian River
- Hydrologic Disruptions
- Hasler Creek
- Cold Creek, Lake Kathleen
- Berry Creek and Minnehaha Creek
- W. Branch of Sturgeon River
- Agriculture
- W. B. Maple River near confluence of Cold Creek
- Headwaters of the Minnehaha Creek in western Bear Creek Township
- Wetland Functional Loss
- Area North of M-68 between Kings Point (Burt Lake) and the Crooked River
- Corridor between Round and Crooked Lakes, adjoining land north of Pickerel Lake, Berry Creek corridor
Priority Areas
Priority areas are those most vulnerable to development and other land uses, including steep slopes, riparian areas, groundwater recharge areas, and wetlands. Protecting these features ensures long-term water quality in the watershed. Steep slopes are prone to erosion, riparian areas are crucial for water quality, groundwater recharge areas support cold water fisheries, and wetlands offer various ecological benefits.
Identified Priority Areas:
- Groundwater Recharge
- McPhee Creek, south of Pickerel Lake
- Southwest and southeast of Vanderbilt area
- Natural Shorelines and Biodiversity
- Maple Bay
- Poverty Bay
- Bullhead Bay
- Carp Creek
- Eastern half of Douglas Lake and associated wetlands
- Minnehaha Creek and Spreads
- Wetlands
- Carp Creek Wetland
- Reese’s Swamp
- Maple River Spreads
- Pleasantview Swamp
- Great Maple River Spreads
- Greater Northern Douglas Lake area
- Greater Minnehaha/Silver Creek area
- Greater Crooked River Spreads
- Northern Round Lake area
- Headwaters of Sturgeon River (both branches)
- Complex between Vanderbilt and Wildwood Lake
Accomplished and Ongoing Projects
Van Creek @ Reed Rd Stream Crossing Improvement
Van Creek @ Reed Rd Stream Crossing Improvement . Click to expand.
2017-2019
Pickerel Lake Road Replacement at Silver Creek and Berger Road Replacement at Minnehaha Creek
Pickerel Lake Road Replacement at Silver Creek and Berger Road Replacement at Minnehaha Creek. Click to expand.
2019-2022
Banwell Road Replacement at Berry Creek
Banwell Road Replacement at Berry Creek. Click to expand.
Project Lead: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
Douglas Lake Vegetation Survey
Douglas Lake Vegetation Survey. Click to expand.
2019
LTBB Water Quality Protection Project
LTBB Water Quality Protection Project. Click to expand.
2018 - present
Burt Lake Shoreline Survey
Burt Lake Shoreline Survey . Click to expand.
2022
Larks Lake Shoreline Survey
Larks Lake Shoreline Survey . Click to expand.
2022
Hungerford's Crawling Water Beetle Surveys
Hungerford's Crawling Water Beetle Surveys. Click to expand.
Ongoing
LTBB Identifying PFAS Phase III: Contaminant Distributions in Surface Waters and Fish Resources within 1836 Ceded Territory
LTBB Identifying PFAS Phase III: Contaminant Distributions in Surface Waters and Fish Resources within 1836 Ceded Territory . Click to expand.
2022 - present
Fly Fishing Clinics
Fly Fishing Clinics. Click to expand.
Ongoing
Douglas Lake Shoreline Survey
Douglas Lake Shoreline Survey. Click to expand.
2024
Maple River Pebble Count and Sediment Survey
Maple River Pebble Count and Sediment Survey. Click to expand.
Ongoing
Maple River Temperature Monitoring
Maple River Temperature Monitoring. Click to expand.
Ongoing
West Maple River Beaver Activity
West Maple River Beaver Activity. Click to expand.
2024 - Present
MVWTU Speaker Series
MVWTU Speaker Series. Click to expand.
Ongoing
MVWTU Tie-One-ON
MVWTU Tie-One-ON. Click to expand.
Ongoing
Volunteer Stream Monitoring (VSM)
Volunteer Stream Monitoring (VSM). Click to expand.
Ongoing
Volunteer Lake Monitoring
Volunteer Lake Monitoring. Click to expand.
Ongoing
Watershed Academy
Watershed Academy. Click to expand.
Ongoing
Crooked-Pickerel Lakes Shoreline Survey
Crooked-Pickerel Lakes Shoreline Survey. Click to expand.
2024
Greenbelt Cost-share Program
Greenbelt Cost-share Program. Click to expand.
2022 - present
Pickerel Lake Certified Natural Shoreline Partnership Training @ Camp Pet-O-Se-Ga
Pickerel Lake Certified Natural Shoreline Partnership Training @ Camp Pet-O-Se-Ga. Click to expand.
2022
Mobile Boat Washing Program (MOBO)
Mobile Boat Washing Program (MOBO). Click to expand.
Ongoing
Comprehensive Water Quality Monitoring Program (CWQM)
Comprehensive Water Quality Monitoring Program (CWQM). Click to expand.
Ongoing
Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drug Drop-Off Program (POD Program)
Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drug Drop-Off Program (POD Program). Click to expand.
Ongoing
Land Protection
Land Protection. Click to expand.
Ongoing
Invasive Species Management on Larks Lake
Invasive Species Management on Larks Lake. Click to expand.
Ongoing
Van Creek @ Reed Rd Stream Crossing Improvement
2017-2019
Project Lead: Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB)
LTBB, in partnership with Conservation Resources Alliance, Emmet County Road Commission, and Natural Resources Conservation Service, replaced two failing, undersized culverts on Van Creek, a tributary to the East Branch Maple River, with a timber bridge. This project helped increase fish passage, reducing flooding from undersized culverts, and reduce erosion and sedimentation of Van Creek.
Project Cost: $157,000
Location: McKinley Township, Emmet County
Project Partners: Conservation Resource Alliance, Emmet County Road Commission, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Pickerel Lake Road Replacement at Silver Creek and Berger Road Replacement at Minnehaha Creek
2019-2022
Project Lead: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
Road stream crossing replacements were completed at Berger Road, and Pickerel Lake Rd. Stream water quality was monitored before and after construction. Minnehaha Creek maintained its high water quality and Silver Creek showed an increase in the number of pollution sensitive taxa after construction. These replacements resulted in improved connectivity of the stream, thereby increasing fish passage, particularly for brook trout.
Project Partners: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Emmett County Road Commission
Project Cost: $150,950
Banwell Road Replacement at Berry Creek
Project Lead: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
The Banwell Road crossing was prioritized over other crossings because the site will potentially yield the greatest benefit to the local brook trout fishery. Removing the barrier increased access to spawning grounds further upstream. According to the prior RSX inventory, the crossing received a “0” fish passage score, which means most species and life stages could not pass at most flows. This project improved stream connectivity in the Crooked River Watershed. The site is still monitored for macroinvertebrate populations annually to track the health of the stream.
Project Partners: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Emmet County Road Commission, Baiardi Foundation, Frey Foundation,
Project Cost: $210,962
Douglas Lake Vegetation Survey
2019
Project Lead: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
Douglas Lake was comprehensively surveyed to document current aquatic plant species and communities, with a particular emphasis on documenting the presence of Eurasian watermilfoil or other invasive aquatic plant species. The study focused on more developed areas of Douglas Lake. The assumption was that invasive species would be more likely to be introduced in developed areas. The study also focused on areas of the lake with vegetation. Field data was collected from August through October 2019.
A total of 23 aquatic plant taxa were documented during this survey, consisting of 16 submergent, four floating leaf, and three emergent. No Eurasian watermilfoil specimens or any other invasive species were encountered during the survey. Over one third of sites were found to have plants in the Very Light or Light density categories, and 33% of the sample sites had heavy or very heavy plant density.
Project Partners: University of Michigan Biological Station, Douglas Lake Improvement Association
Project Cost: $16,576.64
LTBB Water Quality Protection Project
2018 - present
Project Lead: Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB)
LTBB regularly monitor water quality at various lakes and streams throughout LTBB’s service area, including within the Burt Lake watershed. From 2018-present, LTBB has monitored the following waterbodies within the Burt Lake watershed:
· Spring Lake (2018, 2020, February 2022)
· Mud Lake (2018, 2020, February 2022)
· Round Lake (2018 & 2021)
· Crooked Lake (2018, 2020, February 2022, 2024)
· Larks Lake (2018 & 2021)
· West Branch Maple River (2019 & 2021)
· Van Creek (2019, 2021, 2023, 2024)
· West Branch Minnehaha Creek (2018-February 2022)
· Silver Creek (2018- February 2022)
· Unnamed tributary to Crooked Lake tributary (2022-2024)
Through this program, LTBB staff also assessed quality and functionality of wetlands on three LTBB properties located within the Burt Lake watershed.
Project Cost: $1,189,490 (includes costs of monitoring outside of Burt Lake Watershed)
Burt Lake Shoreline Survey
2022
Project Lead: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
Results of the shoreline survey showed that approximately 92% of the shoreline parcels on Burt lake were considered developed or partially developed, with the vast majority being developed. The majority (77%) of parcels had no visible Cladophora growth. The highest percentage (39.6%) of Burt Lake parcels had a very poor greenbelt score, meaning that the greenbelt was absent. Just under half (49.2%) of Burt Lake’s parcels fell into the two lowest categories, labeled very poor or poor, while 38.2% of parcels were rated good or excellent.
Project partners: Burt Lake Preservation Association, EGLE
Project Cost:
Larks Lake Shoreline Survey
2022
Project Lead: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
Results of the shoreline survey showed that approximately 54 (71%) of shoreline properties on Larks Lake were considered to be developed or partially developed, the majority (48.7%) being developed. Cladophora algae growth was not present along any section of the lake's shoreline. More than half of greenbelts (62%) along the shoreline were scored good or excellent, while 31% of properties were rated poor or very poor. The majority of Larks Lake’s shorelines (86%) were recorded as having no shoreline alterations, while some form of shoreline alteration was noted at 13% of parcels.
Project Partners: Larks Lake Association
Project Cost: $4,600
Hungerford's Crawling Water Beetle Surveys
Ongoing
Project Lead: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
The Hungerford's Crawling Water Beetle is a critically endangered beetle that has been found within TOMWC's service area. The Watershed Council conducts surveys on the Maple River and Van Creek and to ensure habitat for the beetle still exists, and populations have not been harmed.
The Watershed Council also accompanies VSM teams with a permit at sites where the beetle has been found.
Project Partners: Conservation Resource Alliance
Project Cost: $3,050
LTBB Identifying PFAS Phase III: Contaminant Distributions in Surface Waters and Fish Resources within 1836 Ceded Territory
2022 - present
Project Lead: Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB)
LTBB has been working to understand per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) concentrations in various surface waters and fish species throughout the 1836 Ceded Territory. PFAS are a large group of chemicals that are found in many common products, such as: nonstick cookware, waterproofed apparel, food packaging, firefighting foams, and more. PFAS has been linked to many health concerns such as various cancers, immune response, child developmental delays, and hormone issues. Unsurprisingly due to their common use, PFAS have been found in surface waters and drinking water throughout the world. Staff began sampling surface waters in 2022, including in the following Burt Lake watershed waterbodies:
- Burt Lake
- Larks Lake
- Round Lake
- Crooked Lake
- Spring Lake
- Cold Creek
- Van Creek
- Minnehaha Creek
- Silver Creek
PFAS were detected in all waterbodies in the Burt Lake watershed except Minnehaha Creek, although none exceeded criteria set by the State of Michigan. In 2023, staff began sampling fish from waterbodies important to LTBB citizens to asses for PFAS in fish tissue. This effort will continue in 2024 and will include analysis for Mercury and PCBs, two other common contaminants, as well. The two Burt Lake watershed waterbodies included in the 2023 and 2024 efforts are Burt and Crooked lakes. LTBB staff will sample species such as walleye, yellow perch, bluegill, and smallmouth bass.
Project Cost: $373,005
Fly Fishing Clinics
Ongoing
Project Lead: Miller Van Winkle Trout Unlimited (MWVTU)
MWVTU teaches fly fishing, tying, and casting techniques to various groups throughout the year.
Project Partners: Little Traverse Conservancy Summer Youth Program, Petoskey Middle School PHYSH Club, Camp Petosega, Three Lakes Academy, Camp Daggett, Charlevoix Rod & Gun Club, Friendship Centers of Emmet County
Project Cost: N/A
Douglas Lake Shoreline Survey
2024
Project Lead: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
Revisit this storymap to see survey statistics soon.
Project Partners: Douglas Lake Improvement Association, EGLE
Project Cost: $5,000
Maple River Pebble Count and Sediment Survey
Ongoing
Project Lead: Miller Van Winkle Trout Unlimited (MWVTU)
MWVTU conducts a pebble count and sediment survey to assess the health of the river.
Project Partners: Michigan Trout Unlimited, Michigan DNR
Project Cost: N/A
Maple River Temperature Monitoring
Ongoing
Project Lead: Miller Van Winkle Trout Unlimited (MWVTU)
MWVTU distributes temperature monitors and monitors the temperature on the Maple River for river and aquatic wildlife health. There have been six monitors placed. MWVTU is coordinating with LTBB on placement of monitors and sharing information to help with the reintroduction of grayling in the Maple River.
Project Partners: Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB)
Project Cost: N/A
West Maple River Beaver Activity
2024 - Present
Project Lead: Miller Van Winkle Trout Unlimited (MWVTU)
MWVTU identifies active and inactive beaver activity along the West Branch of the Maple River.
Project Partners: Michigan Trout Unlimited, Michigan DNR, USDA
Project Cost: N/A
MVWTU Speaker Series
Ongoing
Project Lead: Miller Van Winkle Trout Unlimited (MWVTU)
MWVTU invites knowledgeable speakers to present to the chapter and guests on various environmental and recreational subjects.
Project Partners: Little Traverse Conservancy, Nubs Nob
Project Cost: N/A
MVWTU Tie-One-ON
Ongoing
Project Lead: Miller Van Winkle Trout Unlimited (MWVTU)
MWVTU invites fly fishing enthusiasts to tie various fly fishing flies once a week. Different flies are introduced and tied each week.
Project Partners: Little Traverse Conservancy, Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation
Project Cost: N/A
Volunteer Stream Monitoring (VSM)
Ongoing
Project Lead: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
Volunteer teams monitor the water quality of wadable streams two times a year, during the spring (May) and fall (September) in the Burt Lake Watershed. While volunteers note relevant information on the survey form, collectors use a net to vigorously sample all habitats in the stream reach for macroinvertebrates. The macroinvertebrates collected are identified and used as bioindicators to determine health of the streams monitored in the Watershed. VSM data is used to compare sites and identify trends over time. Find information and program data here .
Streams monitored in 2024:
- Berry Creek
- Bessey Creek
- Crooked River
- Maple River
- Milligan Creek
- Minnehaha Creek
- Oden Creek
- Sturgeon River
Project Partners: MiCorps
Project Cost: N/A
Volunteer Lake Monitoring
Ongoing
Project Lead: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
Volunteers monitor water quality on their lakes annually during the summer months. Lake monitors use a Secchi disk to determine water clarity weekly, and a composite sampler to take a chlorophyll-a sample bi-weekly. These two sampling methods allow the Watershed Council to determine a Trophic Status Index (TSI) score for the lakes monitored. The TSI score can be used to track trends and compare lakes across the Watershed. Find more information and data here .
Lakes monitored in 2024:
- Burt
- Crooked
- Douglas
- Larks
- Paradise
- Pickerel
- Thumb
Project Partners: lake associations, MSUExtension
Project Cost: N/A
Watershed Academy
Ongoing
Project Lead: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
The Watershed Academy program provides high school science students an opportunity to become experts in their local watershed. The Watershed Academy is a great opportunity for these students to learn about their local watershed and assume leadership roles in their community through volunteering time, knowledge, and skills.
Students in the program conduct stream monitoring through the same methods as the Volunteer Stream Monitoring program. In addition to collecting macroinvertebrates, students test nutrients, chloride and other parameters.
Streams monitored in 2024:
- Maple River
- Oden Creek
- Sturgeon River
Project Partners: Great Lakes Fisheries Trust, and various lake associations
Project Cost: N/A
Crooked-Pickerel Lakes Shoreline Survey
2024
Project Lead: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
During this shoreline survey, 547 parcels (79%) were found to be developed. Noticeable growths of Cladophora, a filamentous green algae, were observed along 40% of parcels. The majority of growths were classified as light density. Of 694 parcels, 246 (35%) received a good or excellent greenbelt score, and 329 (47%) received a very poor greenbelt score. Erosion was noted at 38% (265 parcels) of shoreline properties. Some form of shoreline alteration was noted at 458 (66%) of parcels, with the majority of them being rip-rap.
Project Partners: Pickerel-Crooked Lakes Association, EGLE
Project Cost: $7,500
Greenbelt Cost-share Program
2022 - present
Project Lead: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
This project is a rare opportunity that allows The Watershed Council to offer financial and technical support to property owners on Burt, Douglas, Crooked, and Pickerel Lakes for voluntary shoreline greenbelt improvement and restoration projects through a grant funded by the Michigan Department of the Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s (EGLE) Nonpoint Source Program by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Find more information here
Project Partners: EGLE
Project Cost: $46, 331
Pickerel Lake Certified Natural Shoreline Partnership Training @ Camp Pet-O-Se-Ga
2022
Project Lead: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
The Watershed Council hosted a training on Pickerel Lake where erosion was severe and compromising water quality. The event allowed shoreline contractors to be training in design and installation of a bioengineering project that utilized coir logs, fieldstone, and plants. Emphasizing this shoreline stabilization technique to local contractors had far-reaching benefits, as learning in a hands-on setting is limited in Northern Michigan.
Project Partners: Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership, Emmet County, Camp Pet-O-Se-Ga, and Pickerel-Crooked Lakes Association
Project Cost: $11,343.10
Mobile Boat Washing Program (MOBO)
Ongoing
Project Lead: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
The Mobile Boat Washing Station (MOBO) Program was started in Northern Michigan in 2020. High-pressure, heated water is used to wash invasive plants and animals off boats and trailers. The Watershed Council visits various Northern Michigan lake landings and washes boats for free throughout the summer. The MOBO event calendar and more program information can be found here .
Project Partners: U.S. Forest Service, Department of Natural Resources
Project Cost: N/A
Comprehensive Water Quality Monitoring Program (CWQM)
Ongoing
Project Lead: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
The Comprehensive Water Quality Monitoring Program was launched by Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council in 1987. Initially, physical and chemical data were collected on 10 lakes but the program has progressively expanded to 58 lakes and rivers. Typically, data for nine parameters (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, clarity, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen, and chloride) are collected at the surface, middle and bottom of the water column in each water body. This highly-accurate water quality data for lakes and rivers in Northern Michigan, collected consistently for the last 20+ years, have been compiled into a single database that can be used by staff to evaluate aquatic ecosystem health, examine trends within or among water bodies, and identify specific problems. Find more information and program data here .
Project Partners: N/A
Project Cost: N/A
Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drug Drop-Off Program (POD Program)
Ongoing
Project Lead: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
The Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drug Drop-Off Program or POD Program is a multicounty-wide medication drug take back initiative to provide a convenient location for residents to properly dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications. The POD Program is a highly successful collaboration including a stakeholder’s group, community collections, and a permanent drug drop box program.The POD Program has over 20 permanent collection drop boxes at law enforcement agencies throughout Northern Michigan. Find more information and drop off events here .
Project Partners: N/A
Project Cost: N/A
Land Protection
Ongoing
Project Lead: Little Traverse Conservancy
Little Traverse Conservancy actively protects land in the Burt Lake Watershed. They have protected 14,942 acres so far. A featured project from these efforts is the Seven Springs Nature Preserve which protects 655 acres along Burt Lake in Indian River, Cheboygan County.
Project Partners: N/A
Project Cost: N/A
Invasive Species Management on Larks Lake
Ongoing
Project Lead: Larks Lake Association
Larks Lake Association has actively managed purple loosestrife and invasive Phragmites for for many years on Larks Lake. Two stands of invasive Phragmites have been inspected and treated in collaboration with CAKE CISMA. Purple loosestrife has been inspected and controlled using biocontrol beetles.
Project Partners: CAKE CISMA, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
Project Cost: N/A
Partners
Burt Lake Preservation Association ( https://www.blpa.org/ )
Burt Township ( https://burtcheboyganmi.gov/ )
Cheboygan County ( https://www.cheboygancounty.net/ )
Conservation Resource Alliance ( https://www.rivercare.org/ )
Douglas Lake Improvement Association ( https://www.douglaslake.org/ )
Emmet County ( https://www.emmetcounty.org/ )
Huron Pines ( https://www.huronpines.org/ )
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians ( https://ltbbodawa-nsn.gov/ )
Little Traverse Conservancy ( https://landtrust.org/ )
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy ( https://www.michigan.gov/egle )
Michigan Department of Natural Resources ( https://www.michigan.gov/dnr )
Michigan Department of Transportation, North Region ( https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/about/regions/north )
Miller Van Winkle Chapter of Trout Unlimited ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/47572284538 )
Pickerel-Crooked Lakes Association ( https://www.pickerel-crookedlakes.org/ )
Sturgeon for Tomorrow ( https://www.sturgeonfortomorrow.org/ )
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council ( https://watershedcouncil.org/ )
Wilmot Township
References
Conservation Ontario. "Watershed Labeled." Conservation Ontario, www.conservation-ontario.on.ca/source_protection/files/watershed_labeled_hor.jpg .
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters.” EPA, www.epa.gov/nps/handbook-developing-watershed-plans-restore-and-protect-our-waters .
U.S. Geological Survey. "Watersheds and Drainage Basins." Water Science School, U.S. Geological Survey, www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/watersheds-and-drainage-basins .
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). "Developing a Watershed Management Plan." EGLE, https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/water-resources/nonpoint-source/developing-a-watershed-plan .
