September 2007
Sample Sites for E-Coli
Evans Lake
E Coli Results
10-10,000 counts
#1 - 10
#2 - <10
#3 - <10
#4 - 10
#5 - 10
#6 - <10
CLMP 2007 Annual Summary Report
Evans Lake Test results are located on pages 29, 36, & 43
Thank you to Roy & Margaret Retting for handling the Evans Lake Water Testing.
Click on their names to view their Certification "Protecting Inland Lakes" Program.
Evans Lake - Survey of Aquatic Growth - 2008
Evans Lake Land Owners Association is a member of the Michigan Lakes & Streams Association. We are in Region 2 which includes some of our surrounding lakes: Wimplers, Sand, Vineyard, Clark, Devils, Round and a few others.
Scott Brown is MLSA Assistant Executive Director and also Vice President of Region 2. He lives at Grass Lake. Scott loves to snorkel in different lakes in Region 2 and survey the aquatic weed growth. He mentioned that he had never snorkeled Evans Lake and would like to do so. He was given an invitation with his wife to visit Evans Lake. They accepted.
Along with myself, my wife Margaret, Jim & Donna Budde, Scott and his wife explored our heavily weeded areas. Scott put on his snorkeling gear and entered the water near these infested areas that resembled Eurasian Milfoil to get a better look. Two areas were checked. One off of 1050 Breyman Highway and on on the North end of the lake.
Eurasian Milfoil has more leaflets on each leaf than native milfoils. Eurasian Milfoil generally has more than twelve (12) leaflets on one side of the leaf's central axis, while native milfoils have less than twelve.
To be certain of what kind of milfoil we have, samples
were taken and Scott took them to his contact at MSU, Lansing.
The conclusion that the Eurasian Water Milfoil look alike is actually
Northern Water Milfoil. This milfoil can also grow and propagate
to the nuisance level in some cases.
Scott, in his exploration, sighted some interesting things. Large crappies and a small gar pike and mentioned that our lake is an excellent habitat for fish.
We asked Scott if he would speak to our group concerning our weed problems and give us suggestions as to what we can do about them. He will speak at our first general meeting in 2009. He will also furnish us with a full report from the pontoon boat exploration.
Respectfully submitted ~ Roy Retting, Evans Lake CLMP Monitor
Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program
Michigan's unique geographical location provides its citizens with a wealth of freshwater resources including over 11,000 inland lakes. In addition to being valuable ecological resources, lakes provide tremendous aesthetic and recreational value for the people of Michigan.
As more and more people use the lakes and surrounding watersheds, the potential for pollution problems and use impairment increases dramatically. Reliable information, including water quality data, levels of use, and use impairment, are essential for determining the health of a lake and for developing a management plan to protect the lake. As the users and primary beneficiaries of Michigan's lake resources, citizens must take an active role in obtaining this information and managing their lakes.
The Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP) is a partnership between the Water Division of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Michigan Lake & Stream Associations, Inc. (ML&SA). The primary purpose of this cooperative program is to help citizen volunteers monitor indicators of water quality in their lake and document changes in lake quality over time.
Lake quality is influenced by many factors such as the amount of recreational use it receives, shoreline development, and water quality. Lake water quality is a general term covering many aspects of lake chemistry and biology.
Problems most commonly cited by lake residents, such as excessive plant growth, algal blooms, and mucky bottom sediments, are caused by water quality factors that lead to increased lake fertility or productivity. Productivity refers to the amount of plant and animal life that can be produced within the lake. Excessive productivity can significantly shorten the life of the lake.
The gradual increase of lake productivity over time is a natural process called eutrophication, or lake aging. A primary objective of most lake management plans is to slow down eutrophication by reducing the input of plant nutrients, such as phosphorus, and sediments to the lakes.
Lake scientists have developed a variety of mathematical systems to express lake productivity on a continuous numerical scale. One of these systems is the Carlson Trophic State Index (TSI) which incorporates water clarity, or transparency, as measured by a Secchi disk; the algal plant pigment chlorophyll a; and total phosphorus as indicators of lake productivity. The CLMP provides data on these parameters as well as dissolved oxygen and temperature and aquatic plants.
The CLMP provides sampling methods, training, workshops, technical support, quality control, and laboratory assistance for volunteers to monitor their lake for these indicators of lake productivity. Volunteers may then classify their lake according to its level of productivity, or trophic state, using Carlson's TSI. Long-term monitoring of these parameters on a consistent and regular basis provides the data needed to recognize changes or trends in lake productivity.
2007 ~ Is Evans Lake Healthy?
Important measurements and water samples are needed to evaluate lake quality. This is where the lake monitor enters the picture to obtain these measurements and collect water samples. The monitoring program for Evans Lake started in 1999. The site for collecting these water samples and measurements is in the middle of the lake about 250 feet southeast of the northern island where the depth is 42 feet, the deepest area in our lake.
A brief description of the monitoring program and results follows:
Water Clarity ~ A secchi disk is used to estimate water clarity. This is a measurement obtained by fastening a calibrated measuring tape to an 8 inch black and white metal disk. The disk is lowered over the deepest point of the lake until it disappears and the depth in feet is noted. The disk is then raised until it reappears. The average between these two depths is recorded. This test is done once a week beginning in May and continuing to the end of September. Measurements less than 7.5 feet indicate poor water clarity. A minimum depth of 9.5 feet and a maximum depth of 31.5 feet have been obtained for Evans Lake since the program started. A minimum depth of 10.5 feet and a maximum depth of 20 feet was the result obtained in 2007.
Phosphorus ~ The phosphorus test requires water samples collected in two plastic bottles by lowering a bottle with the cap off, by hand, about one foot below the surface of the lake, bringing it up out of the water and recapping the bottle. This sample is collected in early spring and late summer. Lakes with a phosphorus concentration of 20 parts per early spring and late summer. Lakes with a phosphorus concentration of 20 parts per billion or greater can support abundant plant and weed growth. Evans Lake's lowest concentration has been 3 parts per billion and the highest concentration has been 15 parts per billion during the last 8 years. The year 2007 summer result was 15.0 parts per billion.
Chlorophyll a is a pigment that gives the green color to plants and algae. The amount of chlorophyll a obtained from a water sample will give an estimate of the quantity of algae present in the lake. One water sample is taken each month starting in May and ending in September. A concentration greater than 6 parts per billion of chlorophyll a is undesirable. The lake will begin to appear green in color at that level. Evans Lake's lowest concentration was 3.0 parts per billion and the highest concentration was 4.4 parts per billion over the last 8 years. The average chlorophyll a concentration obtained for 2007 was 4.7 parts per billion.
E. Coli ~ Water samples for E.coli were taken at six different sites around the lake last September. The result was ten to less than ten E.coli organisms per 100 ml of water. The maximum E.coli organisms per 100 ml of water for safe swimming is 300 E.coli organisms per 100 ml of water.
Roy Retting, Evans Lake Monitor
Evans Lake Land Owners Association (ELLOA)
Last Updated: 8/24/08
Evans Lake Land Owners Association is a member of the Michigan Lakes & Streams Association. We are in Region 2 which includes some of our surrounding lakes: Wimplers, Sand, Vineyard, Clark, Devils, Round and a few others.
Scott Brown is MLSA Assistant Executive Director and also Vice President of Region 2. He lives at Grass Lake. Scott loves to snorkel in different lakes in Region 2 and survey the aquatic weed growth. He mentioned that he had never snorkeled Evans Lake and would like to do so. He was given an invitation with his wife to visit Evans Lake. They accepted.
Along with myself, my wife Margaret, Jim & Donna Budde, Scott and his wife explored our heavily weeded areas. Scott put on his snorkeling gear and entered the water near these infested areas that resembled Eurasian Milfoil to get a better look. Two areas were checked. One off of 1050 Breyman Highway and on on the North end of the lake.
Eurasian Milfoil has more leaflets on each leaf than native milfoils. Eurasian Milfoil generally has more than twelve (12) leaflets on one side of the leaf's central axis, while native milfoils have less than twelve.
Scott, in his exploration, sighted some interesting things. Large crappies and a small gar pike and mentioned that our lake is an excellent habitat for fish.
We asked Scott if he would speak to our group concerning our weed problems and give us suggestions as to what we can do about them. He will speak at our first general meeting in 2009. He will also furnish us with a full report from the pontoon boat exploration.
Respectfully submitted ~ Roy Retting, Evans Lake CLMP Monitor
Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program
Michigan's unique geographical location provides its citizens with a wealth of freshwater resources including over 11,000 inland lakes. In addition to being valuable ecological resources, lakes provide tremendous aesthetic and recreational value for the people of Michigan.
As more and more people use the lakes and surrounding watersheds, the potential for pollution problems and use impairment increases dramatically. Reliable information, including water quality data, levels of use, and use impairment, are essential for determining the health of a lake and for developing a management plan to protect the lake. As the users and primary beneficiaries of Michigan's lake resources, citizens must take an active role in obtaining this information and managing their lakes.
The Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP) is a partnership between the Water Division of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Michigan Lake & Stream Associations, Inc. (ML&SA). The primary purpose of this cooperative program is to help citizen volunteers monitor indicators of water quality in their lake and document changes in lake quality over time.
Lake quality is influenced by many factors such as the amount of recreational use it receives, shoreline development, and water quality. Lake water quality is a general term covering many aspects of lake chemistry and biology.
Problems most commonly cited by lake residents, such as excessive plant growth, algal blooms, and mucky bottom sediments, are caused by water quality factors that lead to increased lake fertility or productivity. Productivity refers to the amount of plant and animal life that can be produced within the lake. Excessive productivity can significantly shorten the life of the lake.
The gradual increase of lake productivity over time is a natural process called eutrophication, or lake aging. A primary objective of most lake management plans is to slow down eutrophication by reducing the input of plant nutrients, such as phosphorus, and sediments to the lakes.
Lake scientists have developed a variety of mathematical systems to express lake productivity on a continuous numerical scale. One of these systems is the Carlson Trophic State Index (TSI) which incorporates water clarity, or transparency, as measured by a Secchi disk; the algal plant pigment chlorophyll a; and total phosphorus as indicators of lake productivity. The CLMP provides data on these parameters as well as dissolved oxygen and temperature and aquatic plants.
The CLMP provides sampling methods, training, workshops, technical support, quality control, and laboratory assistance for volunteers to monitor their lake for these indicators of lake productivity. Volunteers may then classify their lake according to its level of productivity, or trophic state, using Carlson's TSI. Long-term monitoring of these parameters on a consistent and regular basis provides the data needed to recognize changes or trends in lake productivity.
2007 ~ Is Evans Lake Healthy?
Important measurements and water samples are needed to evaluate lake quality. This is where the lake monitor enters the picture to obtain these measurements and collect water samples. The monitoring program for Evans Lake started in 1999. The site for collecting these water samples and measurements is in the middle of the lake about 250 feet southeast of the northern island where the depth is 42 feet, the deepest area in our lake.
A brief description of the monitoring program and results follows:
Water Clarity ~ A secchi disk is used to estimate water clarity. This is a measurement obtained by fastening a calibrated measuring tape to an 8 inch black and white metal disk. The disk is lowered over the deepest point of the lake until it disappears and the depth in feet is noted. The disk is then raised until it reappears. The average between these two depths is recorded. This test is done once a week beginning in May and continuing to the end of September. Measurements less than 7.5 feet indicate poor water clarity. A minimum depth of 9.5 feet and a maximum depth of 31.5 feet have been obtained for Evans Lake since the program started. A minimum depth of 10.5 feet and a maximum depth of 20 feet was the result obtained in 2007.
Phosphorus ~ The phosphorus test requires water samples collected in two plastic bottles by lowering a bottle with the cap off, by hand, about one foot below the surface of the lake, bringing it up out of the water and recapping the bottle. This sample is collected in early spring and late summer. Lakes with a phosphorus concentration of 20 parts per early spring and late summer. Lakes with a phosphorus concentration of 20 parts per billion or greater can support abundant plant and weed growth. Evans Lake's lowest concentration has been 3 parts per billion and the highest concentration has been 15 parts per billion during the last 8 years. The year 2007 summer result was 15.0 parts per billion.
Chlorophyll a is a pigment that gives the green color to plants and algae. The amount of chlorophyll a obtained from a water sample will give an estimate of the quantity of algae present in the lake. One water sample is taken each month starting in May and ending in September. A concentration greater than 6 parts per billion of chlorophyll a is undesirable. The lake will begin to appear green in color at that level. Evans Lake's lowest concentration was 3.0 parts per billion and the highest concentration was 4.4 parts per billion over the last 8 years. The average chlorophyll a concentration obtained for 2007 was 4.7 parts per billion.
E. Coli ~ Water samples for E.coli were taken at six different sites around the lake last September. The result was ten to less than ten E.coli organisms per 100 ml of water. The maximum E.coli organisms per 100 ml of water for safe swimming is 300 E.coli organisms per 100 ml of water.
Roy Retting, Evans Lake Monitor
Evans Lake Land Owners Association (ELLOA)
Last Updated: 8/24/08