LAKE TREATMENT ANNOUNCEMENT
8-23-23: Just got a call from Michigan Lakefront Solutions. They will attempt to complete treating Purple Loosestrife today. In compliance with EGLE policy, they will post notices ONLY where they are treating plants on land. The notices will say “treating for Purple Loosestrife” and property owners should stay clear of the plants until the chemicals are dry. It is not necessary to stay out of water.
Treatment was officially wrapped up on 8-24-23 for the year.
PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE UPDATE 7-31-23
Our program to eliminate the invasive Purple Loosestrife (PL) has been in place since 2018. The best time to spray Purple Loosestrife is when the flowers are blooming and that time is now. If you have PL on your property, we must have a permission slip for Michigan Lakefront Solution to come on your property to spray. If you have already submitted a slip, you don’t need to do it again. If you have just a small infestation, it is pretty easy to pull the PL out. Make sure you get the root ball. Then burn it.
In the photos below, Purple Loosestrife is on the top. We want to get rid of that one. The photo on the bottom is Pickerel Weed, a desirable plant that we want to keep. MLS will be spraying either later this week or next week.
2023 BOAT SHRINK WRAP RECYCLING PROGRAM
The Horsehead Lake Association (HLA) has voted to continue supporting the recycling of the shrink wrap from winterized boats. Special recycling bags were purchased by HLA to sell at cost for $7 and are large enough to hold 850 square feet of clean and dry material (approximately 2 to 3 boats). Please call the new contact, Deb Cox @ (231) 250-6761, to purchase one with instructions and to help you “buddy up” with another resident, if you wish, on our lakes to fill your bag and to help transport it.
Shrink wrap lasts for thousands of years and landfill operators are begging people to find alternative uses for it to decrease the dumping of it. One company has been able to turn it into composite decking and other manufacturers are looking at processes for turning it back into new shrink wrap or other uses. See https://michiganrecycles.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Recycle-Run-Flyer-2023-1.pdf for more details.
EMS Boat Transport and Storage (https://www.emsboatstorage.com/) located on M20 (1/8 mile west of 90th Ave) is again working to protect our environment by recycling shrink wrap from all of their stored boats. In addition to that, a semitrailer will again be parked on their lot to act as a collection point for this area for filled bags for the Michigan Recycling Coalition.
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
2022 Lake Weed Control Treatment Update 6-11-2022
Horsehead Lake June 2022
Spongy Moth (formerly Gypsy Moth) – Great article on what to expect in 2022… click on me to read!
There is some good news on the moth issue we’ve been experiencing here in northern Michigan. This article offers some great insight for those who have been asking. Click on the headline above to link to the article.
NEW! BOAT SHRINK WRAP DISPOSAL PROGRAM 2022 INFORMATION
DNR sent out an email on 3/7/22 asking Michiganders to consider recycling the shrink wrap used to protect boats during the winter. Shrink wrap lasts for thousands of years and landfill operators are begging people to find alternative uses for it to decrease the dumping of it. One company has been able to turn it into composite decking and other manufacturers are looking at processes for turning it back into new shrink wrap or other uses. See https://dr-shrink.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/RecyRunFlyer22.pdf for more information.
The Horsehead Lake Association has voted to support this endeavor by asking residents to recycle the wrap for the upcoming season. Special recycling bags were purchased by HLA to sell at cost for $7 this year and are large enough to hold 850 square feet of clean and dry material (approximately 2 to 3 boats). Please call Mary Munsell @ (231) 972-7344 to purchase one with instructions and to help you “buddy up” with another resident on our lakes to fill your bag and to help transport it.
Kudos to EMS Boat Transport and Storage located on M20 (1/8 mile west of 90th Ave) for recycling shrink wrap from all of their stored boats. EMS is concerned about the environment and is working with HLA, and the programs partnering with DNR, and has already has been given a semitrailer to act as a collection point for this area for filled bags.
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.
Purple Loosetrife weed control treatment permission form.
Purple Loosetrife is another invasive species plant that has been found on and near Horsehead Lake. Please see the attached link for pictures and information from the State of Michigan: Purple Loosestrife Information.
If you have Purple Loosestrife on your shoreline, and would like it treated by the weed control applicator, please download, print, and fill out the permission slip below, then mail to the Horsehead Lake Association, P.O. Box 344, Mecosta, MI 49332
Click here: Permission Slip
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ADDRESS CHANGES: Keeping addresses current is a big problem… if your mailing address has changed in the past year, or will change in the near future, please contact TERRY BAKEWELL at 616-238-1114 or TBakewell@horseheadlake.org. Also if you have installed a new well in the last 2 years, please notify Terry so a new well permission slip can be updated.
Thank you from the Horsehead Lake Association.
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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 first treatment occurred on June 14, 2007, and has continued each year since… here are some photos of the process:
About Eurasian Watermilfoil on Horsehead Lake
The Horsehead Lake Association members along with other property owners have surveyed the Lakes for the past several years. These surveys were conducted to determine if any invasive species aquatic plants have moved into the Lakes. Unfortunately, the Lakes are infested with Eurasian Watermilfoil, a very aggressive, fast growing plant.
You may know the Tri-Lakes of Mecosta, Blue, and Round chemically treat and mechanically cut weeds in those lakes each year. Chippewa Lake embarked on a chemical treatment program for watermilfoil last year. Clear lake is starting a treatment program this coming year. This Eurasian Watermilfoil has been all around our lakes. NOW BIG and LITTLE JOHN BROWN and HORSEHEAD, OUR LAKES, HAVE IT!
This situation, indeed invasion, demands immediate action to control the current growth and eventually eradicate the milfoil. The decision is not whether to treat the lakes or not, we must. The question is how to most effectively treat and eliminate these weeds. Below is a link to pictures of this weed. A single wisp can multiple into 250 million new plants in a single year!
Members of the Horsehead Lake Association along with other lake property owners have consulted with experts in eradication of these weeds. Expert opinion from Michigan State University Fishery and Biology Department was also obtained. An action plan has been developed.
Step 1 is to spot treat each area of growth currently in the lakes. To do so, each location has been identified and the location marked via Global Positioning Sensor (GPS). There are 170 marked locations thus far. These location markers allow application of a granular chemical at each spot beginning early 2006.
Step 2 is to monitor in future years the results of the spot treatment. If necessary, a further treatment plan will be put in place.
In order to apply for the necessary permit for spot treatment, some information is required from you. Below is a questionnaire you must complete and return to the Horsehead Lake Association as soon as possible. The information required is your drinking water well location and the depth of the well. Your agreement to do the spot treatment in front of or near your property is also required. By completing the questionnaire (see below), you will provide the information necessary. Please return your Aquatic Weed Control Reply Slip and contribution to the HHL Association (Address below).
On behalf of the Horsehead Lake Association, thank you. Please do not delay in your response with information and contribution.
Board of Directors
Horsehead Lake Association
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL.
ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS:
1) Will the milfoil treatment affect the fish on Horsehead Lake?
NO… the treatment will affect only the invasive plants on the lake, not the fish.
2) Can I swim in the lake immediately following application of the milfoil treatment?
You should not swim in a treated area for 24 hours after the treatment.
3) How will I know when the treatment will be applied?
Signs will be posted near all affected areas, and we will also announce treatment dates on www.horseheadlake.org.
4) Where can I find information on the treatment being used?
The preferred treatment is known as “2,4-D”… it has proven to be the most successful strategy to eliminate Eurasian Watermilfoil. More information on “2,4-D” can be found HERE.
In areas where “2,4-D” cannot be applied due to proximity of wells, other treatments will be used (although they may not be as effective).
Click HERE for more information on the “Renovate 3” herbicide.
Click HERE for more information on Characteristics and Invasion of Eurasian Watermilfoil.
Click HERE for the Well Depth Information and Permission Sheet. If you are a lake resident, please fill this out and mail to the address below. (This form is in adobe .pdf format).
The HLA is member of the MICHIGAN LAKES AND STREAMS ASSOCIATION.