Watershed Resource Management
& Monitoring Services

Watershed Management Plans

The Watershed Council prepares watershed management plans and works to implement plan recommendations. We have prepared plans for all the major watersheds in our service area. These plans include surveys of potential pollution sources and problem areas and recommendations for correcting existing problems and preventing future problems. The plans also include recommendations for programs intended to protect the watershed's lakes and streams from further degradation. We implement measures to further these recommendations.

Water Quality Monitoring

Monitoring water quality provides valuable information for water resource management. The Watershed Council has an extensive history of monitoring the water quality of lakes and streams in Northern Michigan. Both the Comprehensive Water Quality Monitoring Program and the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program are sponsored by the Watershed Council. In addition, the Watershed Council is available on a contract basis to perform specific water quality monitoring projects for lake/stream associations, other groups, or individuals.

Greenbelt Surveys

Greenbelts surveys are performed using photographic and GPS (global positioning system) equipment. The information collected in the field is inputted into a spatial database for viewing images and written documentation for specific locations on digital maps. This information is used to determine the extent of vegetated shoreline on the water body, examine changes in shoreline vegetation over time, and identify violations of any existing greenbelt ordinances.

Aquatic Plant Surveys and Invasive Plant Species Inventories

Watershed Council staff identifies the types and extent of aquatic plants in a lake to provide a basic understanding of one of the most important components of the lake ecosystem and determine the presence and extent of invasive species. An aquatic plant survey puts a lake association in the position of being able to develop an effective management strategy.

Shoreline Surveys

Shoreline surveys conducted by Watershed Council staff identify and map problems such as nutrient pollution and shoreline erosion, helping lake associations better understand where these problems may be occurring. The shoreline is visually surveyed by traveling in a small boat such as a kayak as close to the shoreline as possible, usually 5 to 20 feet. Basic information such as locations of significant Cladophora (green algae) growth, erosion, bottom substrate type, and property description are recorded in a database and provided to the lake association.

Shoreline Owner Education and Outreach

If a shoreline survey has identified shoreline problem areas, then it is important to follow up by sending appropriate information to lakefront owners. Follow up questionnaires are sent to riparian owners to determine current shoreline management techniques such as septic system maintenance and lawn fertilization. Based on results of the shoreline and follow up surveys, specialized educational letters are designed and site visits arranged for shoreline property owners. Additionally, the Watershed Council can provide information to lakefront owners (brochures, flyers, etc.) pertaining to greenbelt maintenance, proper septic system maintenance, and proper lawn maintenance.

Septic System Evaluations

Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council offers a septic system evaluation service for shoreline property owners who are concerned that their septic system may be causing excessive pollution. Sites are surveyed to document features relating to water quality, and water samples are collected from multiple locations along the shoreline of the property for preliminary testing. If preliminary tests expose abnormalities, additional tests are performed in suspect areas. Results of the survey are analyzed by Watershed Council staff and presented in a confidential report along with recommendations to the property owner.

Storm Sewer Studies

The Watershed Council performs storm sewer studies for local governments either under contract or as part of a watershed management grant project. Storm sewer studies include any or all of the following components: mapping storm sewer systems and outfalls calculating pollutant loadings based upon land use type and area monitoring water quality of effluent from storm sewer systems monitoring water quality of surface waters receiving storm sewer effluents and providing recommendations to local governments to improve storm system management and reduce storm water pollutant loadings. In addition, we coordinate and implement storm water education campaigns that target residents, businesses and local governments.

Wetland Determination/Delineation

The Watershed Council staff documents the presence of wetlands in varying degrees of detail ranging from review of existing information to a detailed on-site study for property owners, realtors, and others. The detailed study includes field marking of wetland/upland boundaries and a report suitable for local, state, or federal wetland permit applications.

GIS Mapping, Spatial Analyses, and Information Databases

The Watershed Council, with its state of the art Geographic Information System (GIS), produces high quality computerized maps and performs complex spatial analyses (such as determining changes in land use over time) for individuals, organizations, and governmental agencies. We also create and manage a variety of databases to store information regarding shoreline properties, water quality, aquatic vegetation, and other valuable information. These databases are critical for our follow up survey work and provide a tool to help lake and stream associations improve management of water resources and carry out individual projects.