Chester Township Hall
3509 Sehler St.
Conklin, MI
The board encourages you to attend all CLA Board Meetings so you stay informed.
As is usual for July, Crockery Lake is green. There was an algae treatment of SeClear on July 1. This is the most potent algaecide available. There was some clearing for a few days over the holiday. Then we had rain which increased the runoff from the road drains and the field drains and also some hotter days and nights in the past and the future. Warmer water increases the algae. This is NOT harmful algae yet. We are keeping a close eye on it and if we see any changes we will move forward with a treatment.
Next week is the soonest PLM could treat again. However, after consulting with Dr. Jennifer Jermalowicz-Jones from Restorative Lake Sciences and Jaimee Desjardins from Professional Lake Management it has been determined to wait to do the treatment. The effectiveness does not warrant the expense for 3-4 days of somewhat clearer water.
After several calls and emails to EGLE and Ottawa County Health Department this email was received from EGLE with CC to several government agencies including Department of Health and Human Services:
I am very familiar with algae blooms on Crockery Lake. We sampled the lake many times over a few years to document algae blooms and toxin production in Crockery Lake. Because of persistent ongoing algae issues EGLE classifies Crockery Lake as a waterbody that does not meet water quality standards. I know this doesn’t help with your immediate needs, but I wanted you to know that we are familiar with algae blooms on Crockery Lake. Historic sampling did show low levels of cyanotoxins in some samples. (If there is any cyanotoxins they can multiply)
In general, when cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) is very thick or forms scums people and pets should avoid contact with those areas.
If you have pictures of the algae bloom you can submit them to this email.
You may already be aware, but we have a lot of information about harmful algae bloom at these locations:
EGLE Picture Guide: (These are not of Crockery Lake)
EGLE Frequently Asked Questions: Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) (michigan.gov)
EGLE classroom video on HABs ID: EGLE Classroom - Identifying Harmful Algal Blooms (Cyanobacteria) - YouTube
HABs mapper: Michigan Harmful Algal Bloom Reports (arcgis.com)
Crockery Lake is contracted with Restorative Lake Sciences to test the lake and develop a plan for restoration and remediation so that this problem doesn’t plague us every year. The testing they are doing now is required to procure the permits from EGLE necessary for anything we do long term to the lake. It will not be a once and done treatment but a complete program. This includes continued testing each year while the program is being implemented. The CLA Board has been in continuous communication with our watershed (LGROW), Ottawa Conservation District, Ottawa County, and EGLE trying to use possible grant money to help with testing. Chester Township has committed to up to $5,000 to help us pay for the testing this year.
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