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SILVER LAKE ENVIRONMENT
DNR Lake Specifications
2023 - Annual SLIA Invasive Eurasian Milfoil treatment update. The survey to locate the Eurasian Milfoil was completed in June, and the good news is that it continues to be in control with the treatments for which we are very fortunate!
Maps were also sent, so that people would know if they were in the treatment area, also sent early enough that if someone saw evidence of Milfoil in their area, they were able to alert the committee to double check before the treatment if it in fact was Milfoil and needed to be included. The treatment was successfully accomplished before the July 4th Holiday, so people were not inconvenienced in using their beachfronts. If you have questions regarding invasives, or regarding the lake environment, you may contact Scot Ogden, our environmental chair at at 231-463-9365 or email to scot.ogden@aol.com, Scot is working full time so you may receive a call back from a message left.
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SWIMMER`S ITCH ON YOUR BEACH! Many people are concerned about Swimmer`s Itch on their beach - especially with small children in shallow water. The following article should be of help in keeping it at bay! First of all - "PLEASE DON`T FEED THE DUCKS" - here`s why ... SWIMMER`S ITCH is caused by a small organism with an unpronounceable name! The Larvae of this organism (or parasite) live in the blood vessels of waterfowl, producing eggs which are released through their feces. The eggs hatch in the water as a live swimming organism called miracidia, seeking snails as their next host, where they germinate, producing cercariae, which then seek waterfowl again to complete their life cycle. When this organism invades the human skin by mistake, it dies, causing cercarial dermatitis, which we call "Swimmer`s Itch". Swimmer`s Itch is most pervasive in shallow waters near shore, particularly on the eastern and southern beaches as a result of wind patterns. That is why some beaches are worse than others! Small children who play in the shallow areas are therefore most vulnerable. These organism are sticky and attach themselves to the skin as you leave the water and burrow in as the body dries - toweling off briskly as soon as you leave the water does help. Scientists have known that the chief culprit is the Merganser duck, but more recently have identified Mallards and Canadian Geese as hosts as well. Sooooo - now that you know just how it all works - "PLEASE DON`T FEED THE WATERFOWL" ANOTHER ARTICLE OF INTEREST REGARDING FEEDING WATERFOWL CAN BE FOUND UNDER CATEGORY "WILDLIFE", Feeding wildlife can also produce phosphorus through their excretions, and "PHOSPHORUS = MUCK", .... and, no one wants to be a "mucker-upper"! *********************************************
FALL CLEANUP ALERT! Remember - Leaves in the lake = Phosphorus = muck! Please don`t be a "mucker-upper"! Rake your leaves, bag them, and take them to the Grand Traverse Recycle Center - please do not blow them into the lake. If you have a lawn service - please advise them as well! The Recycle center is located at: 2471 N Keystone Rd, 231-941-5555, Recycle hours are: Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday 10 am - 4:30 pm - Saturday 9 am - 3:30 pm It`s only $1 for a large bag! visit website at www.recyclesmart.info/905/Brush-Drop-Off-Site for more information and pricing for brush/stumps/larger items or quantities. Residents of Garfield Township can get a pass for free drop off, for more information call 231-941-1620 ***********************************************
Invasive Species Treatments: The treatment of the Silver Lake Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) continues with testing showing that the treatments are bearing fruit with testing showing the milfoil is definitely down from previous years. Almost no phragmites were found. Through the efforts of the Environmental Committee, the townships have participated with funding both through township funds and a small special assessment to lake residents. Because of this funding we have been able to stay ahead of this potentially devastating problem. In recent years, some very dedicated board members have accomplished much. Being lay people, doing all of this on a volunteer basis, the board chose to have a professional lake management company take over the role. Restorative Lake Sciences have the expertise and connections to keep abreast of the testing and treating, as well as knowing all of the environmental repercussions, laws, etc. They also know the history and reputations of the treatment companies and are able to get competitive bidding and work with the townships involved to complete the process. See pictures and descriptions of Eurasian Water Milfoil and Purple Loosestrife in detail in next segment.
Eurasian Water Milfoil - Thanks to the efforts of Silver Lake Residents and the SLIA. An ongoing program to eliminate this invasive species has been very successful!
See pictures below of lakes that have out of control invasion of this threatening plant. If you see it, please do not pull it! Any small fragment will restart another plant! Instead contact the SLIA with the location and it will be scheduled for treatment.
Purple Loosestrife
DO NOT BE FOOLED! This beautiful plant is also an invasive specie - ... left undeterred, it will take over the lake bottom. This plant propagates itself when the flowers go to seed. If you see this plant, DO PULL IT - BUT IT MUST BE PULLED WITH THE ROOT! Then bag it and despose of it appropriately. References: Aquatic Plants and Plant Control References
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