DEQ Inland Lake Monitoring

[Westlakedrive]

Has anyone volunteered and participated in the DEQ Inland Lake Water Quality Monitoring program? If so how did it go and how much time did you have to put into it?

[Mister ED]

Has anyone volunteered and participated in the DEQ Inland Lake Water Quality Monitoring program? If so how did it go and how much time did you have to put into it?
Wes ... If you find out more info and need a hand, let me know. This sounds like it could be very interesting to be involved with. Although it might mean I have to be out on the lake a little more.:evil:

[Westlakedrive]

It could be a team effort. Mostly would involve once a week sampling for 18 weeks mainly over the summer. I have one link which I will post later but its EPA not DEQ. There is nothing from the DEQ although Hess and Robinson are there. Guess what Hess is one of the most eutrophic lakes around as some guys who fished there were complaining or the brown stained water.
Most stuff on Fremont is old and doesnt seem to be anything since 92 but still gathering information.

Its amazing that with all the fisherman around who complain about the size of the fish they catch that absolutely not one person has participated in this volunteer program to monitor water quality on their local lakes.
Maybe its not that easy to get involved with.
More to follow...

[Westlakedrive]

For DEQ program, lots of lakes but not Fremont http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3313_3686_3731---,00.html

I have some data from 71-92 secchi disk transparency results. Things were really bad in the early 70's as many old timers know. Much better now?
Looking to get some more reports. It would be interested to check out the Fremont Lake aquatic survey done in 1950 to see how it compares to today.
Here is the other link which has a bunch of other data on lots of lakes-

http://www.epa.gov/storpubl/legacy/gateway.htm (http://www.epa.gov/storpubl/legacy/gateway.htm) .
FYI-there are two Fremont Lake stations
21MICH/620029 and 21MICH/620034.

[Whit1]

[/SIZE]

The improved water clarity is probably the result of zebra mussels invading the lake(s). This does not necessarily mean the water is "better". In terms of the plankton and bio-mass of the lake it might be worse.

I'm not familiar with the DEQ volunteer program. Water quality testing of Portage Lake here in Manistee County has been a part of the school's science curriculum since the early 1990s. The kids monitor on a twice a year basis water clarity, pH, chlorophyl a levels, dissolved oxygen, and phosphorus load.

[Mister ED]

The improved water clarity is probably the result of zebra mussels invading the lake(s). This does not necessarily mean the water is "better". In terms of the plankton and bio-mass of the lake it might be worse.

NOPE ... Luckily no zebras in this lake, Whit. I'd like to see the data that Wes dug up, as I have a couple of theories. I do believe that in the '70's there was a bit of run off with a pretty high BOD load. Since that time I know there were some storm sewer improvments made in the area.

It will also be interesting to see if the lake is any worse in the summer now than it was in the summers in the '90s. The stupid inboards pulling skiers and running through 3 & 4 fow really rile up the marle bottom. Winter, the lake is crystal clear.

Whit, if you ask around to your contacts if they have any knowledge of these programs ... I think we'd both apreaciate it.

[martin1950]

For about the last five years, my better half has been taking her chemistry class out to the three lakes in our local area for water quality testing. This is done twice a year with a grant through the Michigan Lakes and Stream Association and local lake association. I do re-call that every lake has a spike in nitrates and phosfates in the fall testing. I would guess that's caused from run-off of those super green yards you see all a round the lakes.
It is guessed that EVERY lake and river in S/W Michigan has zebras. How many times have you seen a boat going down the road with lake weeds hanging from the trailer, pretty good guess he hasn't drained his live-well either.

Martin

[Mister ED]

Ya might be correct in that statement Martin. Maybe I should have said, the lake does not have any Zebra's that I have seen. So, if ther\y are there, I'm guessing the population is still very small.

[Westlakedrive]

It seems like lakes in lakes with zebra mussels I do catch them on crawlers off or near the bottom on occasion. They are not yet on the "official" list anyway.
Couple things on note on Fremont Lake:
Sure is an alkaline lake with pH 8.5-9.0 very hard water in Fremont.
The late summer O2 readings taken last of August-first of September depending on the year when temps ranged 70-75 degrees.
Where's the thermocline? Its always been between 25-30 feet. That includes a 15 year period of 76-91.
As for contaminants-the biggest one seems to be PCB's at 200 ug/kg per last contaminant survey. Others present.

[bucketmouthhauler]

You can also call the dnr, they accept volunteers for fish shocking. I am sure that would be a good time also. I talked to a dean once about this and he said they are always looking for volunteers, contact your local field office. They do not have any problem taking you out with them(shoot its free labor). It might be a little off subject but it would be fun.

[Mister ED]

... packet came in the mail today. The CLMP (for short) is a joint venture with the Mi Stream and Lake Association and the Mi Clean Water Corps (MDEQ) with support from MSU's F&W department.

Anyhow, looks easy to 'volunteer'. But they must be freakin nuts!! In order for me to volunteer my time, to monitor water quality on my local lake, using my boat and equipment ..... I have to pay.:confused:

Here is what they are charging, for me to volunteer:
Secchi Disc ......................... $35
Spring total Phos .................... $ 20
Summer Total Phos ................ $ 20
Chlorophyll ....................... $ 60
Dissolved O2 ....................... $ 50
Aquatic Plant Mapping ............ $ 225


Additionally Testing equipment is needed as follows:
Chlorophyll Testing ................. $40
Secchi Disk .................. $40

Only the Secchi Disk and the two Phos measurements can be done on a lakes first year in the program.


Is it me or are they freakin nuts?? I'm not about to drop $75 for the opportunity to go out and run the first tests.:rant: That is too bad, as I think I would have enjoyed volunteering to do this testing.

[duckman#1]

anyone here work for the DEQ?

[waterfoul]

That seems outrageous to me Ed. You "volunteer" and they want you to pay for all the testing equipment and for the tests themselves? No wonder the information we would all like to see is almost non-existant.

[Westlakedrive]

How about the initiation of launch fees at Fremont Lake say $10 for an annual pass to help cover the cost of facillity upkeep and water quality monitoring. I dont think $10 a year to use that launch is outrageous.
Also suprising that in a lake that has a stocking program they wouldnt be more concerned with getting the data and helping with funding.

[wally-eye]

Wes I think your on to something concerning launch fees, however I don't believe that will ever happen due to not being able to enforce it. There is no way that the police will monitor that area like it would need to be to be able to determine if someone has a permit/tag etc. They have enough problems keeping an officer on duty full time as it is......

I think it is a noble idea just don't see it ever happening AND all it would do would be chase everyone to the south shore POS launch..........

Besides everyone knows that theres no fish left in that lake..............

[Westlakedrive]

Would be difficult to enforce but not impossible. Lots of municipallities do it. I have seen a bicycle cop during the summer. Not sure if it was a criminal justice intern or something.
The people would be free to use the south launch which would be fine. Most likely fisherman. The people targetted for lauch fees would be out of towners who come and hang out with the big ski boats and party on the waterfoul infested shoreline. :yikes:

[sfw1960]

Would be difficult to enforce but not impossible. Lots of municipallities do it. I have seen a bicycle cop during the summer. Not sure if it was a criminal justice intern or something.
The people would be free to use the south launch which would be fine. Most likely fisherman. The people targetted for lauch fees would be out of towners who come and hang out with the big ski boats and party on the waterfoul infested shoreline. :yikes:

AND park their rigs for the whole holiday weekend OR longer , while hogging up the place so OTHERS cannot use it..... I hope they have to pay $10/day!!
;)