Water Quality & Weed Control

Chemical treatments

Water quality maintenance and weed control on White Lake are financed by a Special Assessment District, and are supervised by the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

2013 Treatment Strategy

Surveys last year found that Starry Stonewort, a non-native nuisance plant, continues to become more prevalent in the lake. This plant is actually a type of algae, which forms dense mats when it anchors itself to bottom of the lake. It blocks out the growth of both good and bad plants, and can have an adverse affect on the fish population. We expect to aggressively treat this plant starting in early-May. In the last couple of years, we have been successful in controlling it with our strategy of stunting its growth, or what we like to call "giving it a haircut". Since it is almost impossible to eradicate it, this is the most successful strategy.

Since the DNR only permits us to use Sonar (Fluridone) to treat the entire lake every 4 - 5 years, we would normally be eligible to apply for a permit to use it in 2012 or 2013. However, since last year's surveys did not reveal enough Eurasian Milfoil and Curly-Leafed Pondweed present, the DNR will not permit us to use it this year. Unfortunately, Sonar is not effective on Starry Stonewart, at least at the concentrations the DNR permits us to use.

2013 General treatment information
Detailed product information

Treatment History

In 2008, we had two lake-wide treatments with Sonar (Fluridone), which targeted two non-native and nuisance plants: Eurasian Milfoil and Curly-Leafed Pondweed. There was also late-season spot treatment targeted at the few remaining patches of Eurasian Milfoil.

In 2009, we needed less treatment to control weed growth, because of the residual effects of the 2008 treatment. Starry Stonewort became the major treatment concern later in the season.

In 2010 - 2012, Starry Stonewort became the major treatment concern, with spot treatments for Eurasian Milfoil and Curly-Leafed Pondweed.

Testing

The White Lake Citizens League participates in the Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP) sponsored by the Michigan Clean Water Corps. The Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) is a network of volunteer monitoring programs in Michigan. It assists the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in collecting and sharing water quality data for use in water resources management and protection programs in the state.

The State of Michigan mandates an annual Lake Management Program Report, filed by a certified professional, for several years following the application of Fluridone. Click here to view a copy of the 2009 report. This testing gives us a yardstick to measure progress, and provides the state with information for an effective database.

Visit the Fishing page for information about Fishing Advisories and consumption of fish from White Lake.

Lawn Care

To help in controlling aquatic weed growth, ideally we would not fertilize our lawns, since run-off of fertilizer contributes to weed growth in the lake. Since many of us, however, do use fertilizer on our lawns, there are a few things we can do to lessen the effects of fertilizer on aquatic weed growth. Any of the following can serve as a barrier to help reduce fertilizer run-off into the lake:

• landscape ties
• stones and rocks
• plants and bushes
• A 5 - 10 foot buffer strip between the lawn and the lake, where fertilizer use is avoided

We can also use fertilizer that has 0% or very low phosphorus, which is now widely available. (Phosphorus is the middle number of the 3 numbers listed on the bag of fertilizer. The first number represents Nitrogen, the second is Phosphorous, the third is Potassium or Potash.) It is most likely that your soil is already rich in phosphorus. The MSU Extension Service recommends fertilizers that are low in both phosphorus and potassium, such as 23-0-6, 30-4-4 or 26-4-4, in this area

Fertilizer Numbers - What Do They Mean?

Lawncare Tip Sheet

Christmas Trees

On some northern Michigan inland lakes that are deep and do not have any bottom weed structure, there is a practice of putting Christmas trees out on the ice to mark fishing holes. When the ice melts in the springtime, the trees sink to the bottom (hopefully) and provide structure for the fish. This is NOT a good practice on White Lake! Our lake is shallow, and sunlight provides ample weed structure. Please dispose of your tree using your routine refuse pickup.