Water Quality Info
ATTENTION: Weed Treatment plan and time table
Keeping Derby Lake Blue: A Resource
Milfoil What is it? How can we reduce spreading it?
Milfoil is a problem for Derby Lake. It is easily spread through human intervention. Derby Lake Association is working with PLM to reduce Milfoil in the lake. You can help also. Cutting Milfoil, either by boat with the prop or by raking it spreads the weed. Learn what Milfoil looks like. If you have some in front of your property let a board member know and we can contact PLM to have it treated during the next treatment date. Try not to spread the contamination. Check out the picture of Milfoil on the document listed below.
http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/downloads/ais/fs_EWM-milfoil.pdf
Zebra Mussels
Zebra mussels are in Derby lake. Most are found clinging to submerged objects; rocks, wood, bouys, cinderblocks, etc. One thing we can do to reduce the population is to remove and cleanup the waterfront areas so there are fewer objects for the zebra mussels to attach to.
http://des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/factsheets/bb/documents/bb-17.pdf
VHS virus- something to know
http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/vhs/vhsfacts.html
http://www.lakepewaukeesd.org/vhs_factsheet.pdf
ACT 299- Are you aware of this?
MI Enacts Law Limiting Use of Phosphorus
Act 299 Restricts Phosphorus Use on Turf Lawns
In the final days of a lame duck session, the Michigan legislature passed and Governor Granholm signed a bill limiting the application of phosphorus on turf lawns in Michigan. Michigan now joins Illinois, Minnesota, New York and Wisconsin in restricting the use of phosphate based turf lawn fertilizers. The passage of the legislation is considered a major milestone in the protection of Michigan’s freshwater resources. The legislation exempts the agricultural community and establishes conditional phosphorus application criteria for those maintaining golf courses. Phosphorus is considered the limiting nutrient within aquatic ecosystems, that is, the growth of plants and algae are primarily limited by the availability of phosphorus.
Overly abundant phosphorus levels contribute to excess aquatic plant growth and dangerous algal blooms in aquatic ecosystems.
See page 2 of this newsletter for more information regarding Mi Public Act 299.
Swimmers itch- yet another problem, yes or no?
Thankfully—No Swimmers itch has not been reported in Derby Lake. But that doesn’t mean showers after swimming can be forgotten. Check out this information from a Hope College professor.