Michigan Chapter North American Lake Management Society
The purpose of McNALMS is to promote understanding and comprehensive management of Michigan's inland lake ecosystems
Request for proposals: 2025 Lake Conservation Grant
The Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership (MGLP) is seeking project proposals for funding from their 2025 Lake Conservation Grant program. The MGLP is one of twenty partnerships that span the nation under the umbrella of the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP). The MGLP area of focus is glacial lakes and their watersheds (see figure). Nine Midwestern states, numerous federal agencies, tribal governments, and private natural resource entities have been integral partners in the development and operation of the MGLP.
Projects should benefit glacial lake fish habitats, which include the chemical, physical, and biological components of the habitats that fishes found in glacial lakes use throughout their lives. Funding is directed toward a wide range of aquatic conservation projects that benefit imperiled, endangered, and recreational fish species and their habitats. Typically 3-5 projects are funded annually between $30,000 and $100,000, but larger projects will be considered for funding up to a maximum of the approximately $300,000 expected for distribution (continued in next column).
Learn more and download application materials at the Lake Conservation Grant page of the MGLP website. You can submit your application by emailing it to MGLP Coordinator Joe Nohner at nohnerj@michigan.gov. If you have any questions, please contact Nohner at nohnerj@michigan.gov or 517-599-6825.
Copies of Presentations and Video from the Lunch and Learn: Current Perspectives on Wake Boats event are available under the Lunch and Learn tab above
Lake Awareness Day Focuses on Protecting Michigan's High Quality Lakes
Key organizations from around the state that work to manage and protect Michigan's lakes met with legislators, staff, agency personnel, and others during the May 18 forum held at Karoub Associates, a block from the State Capitol. The coordinators of the event prepared infographics and posters with information that highlighted Water Quality and Quantity in inland lakes; Stressors and Impacts; Economics and Ecological Values and Solutions and Support. The event was organized by members of Michigan Waterfront Alliance; Michigan Environmental Council, Michigan Chapter, North American Lake Management Society (McNALMS), Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society (MAPMS), Michigan Aquatic Managers Association (MAMA), FLOW (For Love of Water), MSU Institute of Water Research and MSU Extension.
Many conversations about Michigan's inland lakes took place during the Lake Awareness Day forum. Photo by Scott Brown
Wake Boat Operations and Impacts Reviewed
A review of wake boats and their operations and impacts has been written by William Scott Brown, board member of McNALMS. If you are interested in the full text copy, click on the link at the end of this excerpt.
The substantive findings of several peer reviewed scientific investigations that have been conducted in recent years clearly demonstrate that the upsurge in the number of wake enhanced boats operating on the inland lakes of the Laurentian Great Lakes region are likely responsible for rendering an array of adverse impacts on frequently exposed aquatic ecosystems. A dramatic upsurge in sales of recreational vessels that are designed and operated for the sole purpose of enabling enhanced wake dependent water sports by generating wakes that possess kinetic energy levels that greatly exceed those that occur naturally has helped gain the attention of state and local government officials, law enforcement agencies, lake managers, lake conservation advocacy groups, and the news media. In addition to their significant potential to have a negative impact on vulnerable aquatic ecosystems, regularly occurring, well publicized incidents involving high energy wake perpetrated over turned kayaks, swamped fishing boats, hazardous swimming conditions, and damage to moored boats, piers, and docks have served to help focus public attention on the frequently disruptive watercraft. Heated discussion regarding the difficult public policy question of whether operation of the increasingly popular though controversial water craft should somehow be restricted, or even banned in some cases, has now migrated from marinas to state capitols where legislators, and lobbyists representing the special interests of a powerful group of stakeholders remain deeply divided on the issue (Orenstein, 2020).
Wake boats, also referred to as wake enhanced boats, are designed to generate the high energy wakes that are required to enable wake surfing and wakeboarding (Ruprecht et al., 2015; Goudey and Girod, 2015). Wake surfing, the significantly more popular of the wake enabled water sports due to the fact that it is safer and much easier for most people to master than wake boarding (Ray, 2020), involves riders who surf the substantial wake that results from shifting ballast water to the aft (rear) corner on the side of the boat that is to be surfed (Mercier-Blais and Prairie, 2014; Ruprecht et al., 2015). Enabled by operating speeds ranging from 8 - 13 mph (13 - 21 km/h), wake surfers are not attached to their boards, and are not supported by tow ropes (Ruprecht et al., 2015). In contrast, wakeboarding, whose rise in popularity began in the late 1990’s, usually involves more athletically inclined participants who strive to perform acrobatics while airborne during high jumps that are achieved by using the enhanced wakes produced by their supporting water craft as transient ‘launch’ ramps (Ruprecht et al., 2015; Boyd, 2016). Engaged at speeds ranging from 18 - 30 mph (29 - 48 km/h) (Ruprecht et al., 2015), wakeboarders are attached to their board, and pulled along well behind their supporting boat by a tow rope of up to 85 feet (26 meters) in length (Allen et al., 2019). From: A Review of the Adverse Impacts Attributed to the Operation of Wake Enhanced Boats on Inland Lake Ecosystems
Wake boats, also referred to as wake enhanced boats, are designed to generate the high energy wakes that are required to enable wake surfing and wakeboarding (Ruprecht et al., 2015; Goudey and Girod, 2015). Wake surfing, the significantly more popular of the wake enabled water sports due to the fact that it is safer and much easier for most people to master than wake boarding (Ray, 2020), involves riders who surf the substantial wake that results from shifting ballast water to the aft (rear) corner on the side of the boat that is to be surfed (Mercier-Blais and Prairie, 2014; Ruprecht et al., 2015). Enabled by operating speeds ranging from 8 - 13 mph (13 - 21 km/h), wake surfers are not attached to their boards, and are not supported by tow ropes (Ruprecht et al., 2015). In contrast, wakeboarding, whose rise in popularity began in the late 1990’s, usually involves more athletically inclined participants who strive to perform acrobatics while airborne during high jumps that are achieved by using the enhanced wakes produced by their supporting water craft as transient ‘launch’ ramps (Ruprecht et al., 2015; Boyd, 2016). Engaged at speeds ranging from 18 - 30 mph (29 - 48 km/h) (Ruprecht et al., 2015), wakeboarders are attached to their board, and pulled along well behind their supporting boat by a tow rope of up to 85 feet (26 meters) in length (Allen et al., 2019). From: A Review of the Adverse Impacts Attributed to the Operation of Wake Enhanced Boats on Inland Lake Ecosystems
Wake Boat Recommendations Released by Michigan DNR
Fisheries Report #37 on A Literature Review of Wake Boat Effects on Aquatic Habitat has been officially released by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division. Wake boats are powerboats specially designed to increase wave height for watersports. There is concern that the waves produced by these boats can increase shoreline erosion; stir up bottom sediments and create hazards for humans and animals.The report recommends the following voluntary best operating practices in support of the continued use of wake boats while minimizing the effects on natural resources and near shore property:1. Boats operating in wake-surfing mode or wake-boarding mode, during which boat speed, wave shapers, and/or ballast are used to increase wave height, are recommended to operate at least 500 feet from docks or the shoreline, regardless of water depth.2. Boats operating in wake-surfing or wake-boarding modes are recommended to operate in water at least 15 feet deep.3. Ballast tanks should be completely drained prior to transporting the watercraft over land.The entire report, written by James Francis, Joel Nohner, John Bauman, and Brian Gunderman is available at this link.
Michigan Inland Lakes Convention Set for October 2-4
Every two years the Michigan Inland Lakes Convention brings together professionals, lake enthusiasts, researchers, and educators. The Convention is hosted by the Michigan Inland Lakes Partnership, a collaboration of diverse organizations with a common mission to advance stewardship of Michigan's inland lakes. This year the Convention will be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan on October 2-4, 2024. Learn and share the latest innovations and ideas in lake stewardship and to network with others who share your passion for lakes. Convening in partnership this year with the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps), a statewide volunteer lake and stream monitoring program, this year’s event theme is “Working Together for Healthy Lakes".
Abstract Submission is Now Open for Lake Convention
You can submit an abstract on current and emerging research, management strategies, policy, and education for conserving and protecting inland lakes. Abstracts (up to 250 words) may be submitted for a:* 30-minute oral presentation;* 90-minute session that you arrange with multiple speakers;* 1.5 or 3-hour interactive workshop;* 5-minute lightning talk on your research, organization, or program.It is anticipated that there will be four concurrent sessions per time block. A limited number of spaces are available for each option.
Please visit the Convention website to submit an abstract. Abstract submissions are open until Sunday, May 19 at 11:59pm EDT. You will be notified by email in June if your abstract is accepted. For questions or additional information, please contact Erick Elgin at elgineri@msu.edu (218-340-5731).
Please visit the Convention website to submit an abstract. Abstract submissions are open until Sunday, May 19 at 11:59pm EDT. You will be notified by email in June if your abstract is accepted. For questions or additional information, please contact Erick Elgin at elgineri@msu.edu (218-340-5731).
2024 MGLP Lake Conservation Webinars
The Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership announces its 2024 Lake Conservation Webinars. These free webinars address a diverse range of lake and fish habitat management issues from assessments of property lake health or property values nationwide to nutrient sourcing for one lake; from shoreline restoration techniques to farmer-led conservation coalitions; and from climate change to shoreline erosion. You can view the full list of webinars plus recordings of past webinars on the Lake Conservation Webinars webpage.Upcoming webinars:
- April 9: Fishers & Farmers Partnership presents: Neighbor to neighbor, helping landowners take the next steps in improving their land and water
- April 23: Quantifying the impacts of climate change on fish growth and production using the largest-ever database of Midwest glacial lakes fisheries surveys to enable sustainable management
- April 30: Valuing lake water quality in the United States using a national dataset on property values
Current and Past Student Research Projects Funded through McNALMS and MLSA
The Michigan Chapter North American Lake Management Society (McNALMS) and the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association (MLSA) are pleased to announce the two new recipients for the 2023 Student Lake Grants program. They are Melanie Bruno from Oakland University and Katherine Lucas from Grand Valley State University. Melanie's project is titled "Differences in attraction to artificial light between larval and adult life stages of mayflies," and she will be working under the direction of her advisor, Dr. Scott Tiegs. Katherine's research is on "Impact of climate change and restoration on phosphorus loading in impaired wetlands,” and her advisor is Dr. Alan Steinman. McNALMS and MLSA have been funding student projects since 2015. Past projects funded include:
2022Under-ice photosynthetic primary production and dark carbon fixation in Lake Superior’s Keweenaw Waterway by Vanessa Cubillos Tellez, Michigan Technological University; Advisor: Dr. Trista Vick-MajorsUse of an Aquatic Remotely Operated Vehicle to Assess Relative Abundance of Fish and their Relations to Water Quality Variables by Elizabeth Belanger, Lake Superior State University; Advisor: Dr. Kevin Kapuscinski2021Lake Response to Elevated Levels of Phosphorus and Chloride by Ellen Foley, Grand Valley State University; Advisor: Dr. Alan SteinmanImpacts of Climate Change on Gene Expression in Stocked Walleye Populations by Scott Jackson, University of Michigan; Advisor: Dr. Karen Alofs2020Star Wars: Phenology of Nitellopsis obtusa (Starry Stonewort) in two Michigan drowned river mouth lakes, Michigan by Emily Neuman, Grand Valley State University Invasive Mystery Snail Detection and Characteristics of lnvaded Inland Lakes in Mid-Michigan by Emmet Smrcka, Central Michigan University; Advisor: Dr. David Zanatta2019Bloom or bust: Search for phytoplankton community drivers using long-term time-series observations and field measurements in a model Great Lakes estuary by Jasmine Mancuso, Grand Valley State University; Advisor: Dr. Bopaiah Biddanda 2018Shoreline Restoration and Source of Nutrient Enrichment Impacts on Macrophyte and Epiphytic Algal Communities by Paige Kleindl, Grand Valley State University, Advisor: Dr. Alan Steinman
2017
Littoral Primary Production and Effects of Invasive Macrophytes in Michigan Lakes by Ryan Van Goethem, Michigan Technological University, Advisor: Dr. Amy Marcarelli
Young of the Year Fish Mortality along a Lakeshore Development Gradient by Jacob Ziegler, Carey Institute and McGill University, Advisor: Dr. C. Solomon
2016
Assessment of Cyanobacteria to Suppress Growth and Development of Dreissenid Larvae by Anna Boegehold, Wayne State University; Advisor: Dr. Donna Kashian
Phosphorus Retention in West Michigan Two Stage Agricultural Ditches by Emily Kindevater, Grand Valley State University, Advisor: Dr. Alan Steinman
2015
Phosphorus Loss via Tile Drains in the Macatawa Watershed by Delilah Clement, Grand Valley State University, Advisor: Dr. Alan Steinman
Shoreline Habitat Change in Michigan Lakes: Understanding Property Owner Decisions and Impacts to Largemouth Bass Fisheries by Joe Nohner, Michigan State University, Advisor: Dr. William Taylor
Shoreland Stewards Program Releases Videos
Five videos have been released by the the Shoreland Stewards Program, a part of the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership. The videos explore the four zones of lakefront property and teach lakefront property residents how to be a "Shoreland Steward." The Shoreland Stewards program was created to recognize inland lake property owners who are maintaining their property in a way that reduces negative impacts that development can have on inland lakes to ensure healthy lakes for future generations for both people and fish and wildlife. The videos can be accessed on The Partnership's YouTube channel. Find out more information at: www.mishorelandstewards.org
Conservation Planner Tool Provides Lake Data for Great Lakes Region
The Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership (MGLP) has released its new MGLP Conservation Planner, which provides lake data to inform communicators, managers, and researchers about lakes throughout the Great Lakes region. Specifically, the MGLP Conservation Planner provides data on likely suitability for fishes, land cover along the shoreline and in the lake’s watershed, and conservation recommendations to supplement existing information for each lake. Its recommended uses include provision of data to inform single-lake management, establishment of a framework for conservation strategies in each lake, identification of patterns in fish habitat due to climate and land use change, and as a supplement during potential prioritization of limited resources among lakes.
Great Lakes Conference 2022 and 2023 Presentations Available
The Great Lakes are one of Michigan’s greatest resources, providing recreational opportunities, a premier fisheries resource, water for agriculture, manufacturing, and other industries and multiple other uses. They are also subject to major problems such as invasive species, climate change, and harmful algal blooms. To view the recordings and presentations of the 2022 and 2023 Great Lakes conferences, visit the Great Lakes website.
Upcoming Board Meetings - 2024
- Wednesday, May 22
- Wednesday, August 21
- Wednesday, November 20
- All meetings are open to members. Please RSVP to wolfson1@msu.edu if you plan to attend and you will be sent a link to the Zoom meeting room. Meetings generally run from 10:00 am - 12 noon.