2025 PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE SEASON
It seems like just yesterday, but it was actually 2017 when HHL resident Deb Cox approached the association board and suggested that it was time to do something about the aggressive invasive plant that was beginning to dominate the lake shore, Purple Loosestrife. Well, it’s that time of the year again. PL is especially problematic because each clump of plants can produce up to a million seeds. The seeds are smaller than a grain of sand and can be distributed by the wind, water or carried on boats.
The most effective treatment for Purple Loosestrife is when it is flowering, and the purple spikes have begun to show up around the lakes. Michigan Lakefront Solutions will treat sometime in the next couple weeks.
If you have PL rooted on the ground on your property, we need to have a permission slip on file. If the PL is rooted in the water permission is not needed. If you already have a permission slip on file from previous years, you don’t need to file another. If you have PL on your property and you aren’t sure if you have filed a permission slip, the easiest thing to do is send a new slip to TBakewell@horseheadlake.org and I will cross reference with MLS.
Click here: Permission Slip
Purple Loosetrife
2025 LAKE TREATMENT SURVEY
From Terry Bakewell…
Yesterday I rode along as Michigan Lakefront Solutions (MLS) surveyed the Horsehead and John Brown Lakes. The purpose of the survey was threefold. First, we wanted to evaluate the results of the Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) treatment that was conducted on June 24. Second, we wanted to check on all of the known Starry colonies as this is the time of year when Starry Stonewort emerges. Finally, we wanted to see what we could learn about the massive algae bloom that is affecting our lake system. We were on the lake for about three hours.
In all of the areas that were treated on 6/24, the EWM is gone. We did spot a few places where EWM has emerged since that treatment that will need to be addressed. There were also a couple of new spots on Little John Brown.
Unfortunately, the Starry Stonewort infestation near the township boat launch is thriving. When MLS personnel threw out the sampling rake, it came back with a thick clump of Starry. We evaluated the sample thoroughly and did not find any of the bulbils that act as ‘seeds’ of Starry. It is beneficial to treat the Starry before the bulbils form. We also found random patches of Starry near the Young Subdivision boat launch and along the north shore of the Lynwood Lane peninsula.
The algae bloom we are experiencing is a type of planktonic algae. It is free floating and distributed throughout the water column from the surface to as deep as sunlight can penetrate. There are many species of planktonic algae and it can also consist of a mixture of species. Without laboratory analysis it is difficult to identify exactly which species we have. All of the unusual weather conditions we have experienced this year – lack of precipitation resulting in lower water levels, abundant sunlight, high water temperature (it was 84 F yesterday) and presense of nutrients are contributing factors. Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done about it except to wait it out.
The newly emerged EWM and the Starry Stonewort will be treated as soon as we can get it scheduled, hopefully next week. Remember, Starry Stonewort is not a plant, but a macro-algae, hence, it doesn’t have a vascular system and systemic type herbicides won’t work. The only effective treatment the scientific community has come up with so far is application of chelated copper, which will suppress, but not kill the Starry. Unfortunately, native Chara is also a macro-algae closely related to Starry and the treatment will also knock down the Chara. Fortunately, Chara is abundant in our lake system and should rebound quickly.
2025 BOAT SHRINK WRAP RECYCLING PROGRAM
Recycle Run 2025 – Boat Shrink-Wrap Recycling
It’s that time of year again to turn your boat shrink-wrap into something new, such as composite decking, by taking advantage of this easy recycling program!
Horsehead Lake Association (horseheadlake.org), along with EMS Boat Transport & Storage (emsboatstorage.com) and the Michigan Recycling Coalition (michiganrecycles.org/film-plastics/), are proud to participate in Recycle Run 2025, a program dedicated to recycling boat shrink-wrap instead of sending it to landfills.
How It Works:
Purchase a Recycling Bag – Contact Debbie Hill (937-829-7279) to purchase a recycling bag for $7.
Remove & Prep – Each EZ-Fill Recycling Bag comes with a zip tie to seal the bag, along with instructions on how to remove your boat covers. (Make sure you remove all zippers, buckles, and vents before packing your bag & try to keep the shrink-wrap as clean as possible.) Then stuff your EZ-Fill Bag with your boat wrap. Note that the recycling bags are industrial size and can hold covers from up to a 32’ boat (1 large cover or 1-3 small covers).
Drop It Off – Fill the bag with your shrink wrap and drop it off at EMS Boat Transport & Storage, 9375 11 Mile Rd, Mecosta, MI 49332. You may leave it at their barn or in the semi-trailer (when it arrives there soon).
The Michigan Recycling Coalition will collect the bags from EMS and transport them to a recycling facility on the west side of Michigan, where they will be transformed into new products such as TREX decking—a durable, eco-friendly material!
For every bag, we save:
- 115 kWh of energy
- 13.5 gallons of oil
- 16-20 cubic feet of landfill space
Boat Owners – Let’s Keep It Green! Spread the word! Let’s work together to keep Horsehead, Little John Brown & Big John Brown Lakes clean and protect our environment. Every recycled shrink-wrap makes a difference!
2023 CLMP LAKE DATA / TREND REPORT
This is the latest Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program report showing trends for Horsehead Lake. Please click on this link to view in PDF format: CLMP-Horsehead Lake 2023
Interesting article on inland lakes and wake boats:
https://www.mlive.com/news/2022/09/michigan-dnr-eyes-inland-lake-restrictions-on-wakesurfing-boats.html
Horsehead Lake Temperature and Clarity Report 8-11-22
Here is the latest report in pdf format: Temperature_DO REVISED 8 11 22
The 2021 Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program report is available, and contains data on various water quality components of the lake. To read the full report, please click on the link below.
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A Message from our Loon Ranger:
Please keep an eye out for the loons on Horsehead Lake… The best thing we can do to help facilitate loon nesting is to stay away from the nest sites. Even kayaking near the nest can frighten off the pair. If you see them, please stay away.
The HLA is member of the MICHIGAN LAKES AND STREAMS ASSOCIATION.