Silver Lake Water Quality: Something We All can be Involved in

The Water Quality Committee of the Silver Lake Association made this observation in the summer of 2014:

"Fresh water makes up a tiny fraction of earth’s total water supply and humans, as well as many other species, require fresh water for food, drinking, spawning, and for myriad other life functions. Given this, protecting fresh water is crucial. Numerous lakes, reservoirs, and streams are used as drinking water sources; however, they are also utilized for recreational purposes (boating, fishing, and/or swimming).

"Silver Lake (836 acres) had its origins several thousand years ago when retreating glaciers left our area. Not surprisingly, Silver Lake provides many recreational opportunities and is a water source for several townships. Although Silver Lake is modest in size (about 3 miles x 0.5 miles), its watershed is much, much larger than the lake itself. The Silver Lake watershed’s size and complexity make maintaining its water quality a multi-faceted challenge."

The Water Quality Committee developed the following  10 tips in which you can become involved (either by yourself or in conjunction with the Association). For any additional information surrounding a tip,  click on the tip subject:

What you can do to help Silver Lake

Tip 1. Benthic Mats - Never cut lake weeds because it only enhances their growth.

Tip 2. No Phosphorus - Don't pour chemicals down the drain; Use only fertilizers with a zero-P rating (no phosphorus); Plant a buffer strip of plants or shrubs; Rake and remove leaves from lakeside property; Use no-phosphates detergents; Support maintaining wetlands; Correct soil erosion problems immediately.

Tip 3. Trees for Tribs (1) - Support planting trees along tributaries that feed our lakes; trees serve as an effective buffer zone.

Tip 4. Flares - Use a pie tin under a flare that is near the Lake; flares, not carefully monitored, can introduce phosphorus into the water.

Tip 5. Harmful Algae Blooms - Completely avoid water containing algae blooms - 1. Do not drink the water. 2. Do not inhale water droplets. These can come from splashing water, use of PWCs, water skiing and other water related recreation. 3. Avoid skin contact with any scum on the top of the water. 4. If using lake water in your cottage/home, do not use the water for any purpose if it is off color. It should be noted that toxins are only removed by using special filtration. 5. Thoroughly rinse any food that has been sprayed with lake water. 6. Keep pets out of lake water and away from any algae that may have been washed up on shore. If pets come in contact with the algae, thoroughly rinse them off to remove all algae as the hair will trap the algae and then when the pet grooms itself, it can ingest the algae.

Tip 6. Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species - 1. Check your boating and fishing equipment for invasive species. If your boat has been used in a water containing zebra mussels, run your hand along the hull. If it feels like sandpaper, it likely has mussels attached. 2. Clean any visible mud, plants, fish or animals before transporting equipment. Discard items in an upland area or in one of the invasive species disposal stations that have been installed at many boat launch sites for your convenience. Zebra mussels can be difficult to remove from a boat hull. They first need to be killed by exposure to water or steam at least 140 F and then removed by brush or pressure washer. 3. Drain all water holding compartments including live wells, bait wells and bilge areas. 4. Dry boats, trailers and all equipment before use in another waterbody. The most effective method to ensure that no invasive species or fish diseases are transported to a new body of water is to completely dry your boating and fishing equipment. The key is to make certain that equipment is COMPLETELY dry before using it in a new water body. Drying times vary significantly depending upon the type of equipment, air temperature and relative humidity. While the outside of a boat will dry relatively rapidly, bilge, live wells and other areas of a boat not reached by the sun or lacking good air circulation will take additional time to dry completely. A minimum of 5-7 days drying time in dry, warm conditions is recommended. Drying times can be estimated (http://www.100thmeridian.org/Emersion.asp). 5. Disinfect anything that came into contact with water, if it cannot be dried before reuse.

Tip 7. Properly Dispose of Garbage

Tip 8. Healthy Lawns & Healthy Lake Tip Sheet

Tip 9. Getting Answers from Local Municipalities Tip Sheet

Tip 10. Benefits of Natural Shorelines