Black Lake 

Black Lake is one of the largest and most strikingly beautiful lakes in the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council service area. In fact, in terms of surface area, Black Lake at over 10,000 acres is the 9th largest inland lake in the State of Michigan. It is located in the northeast corner of the Lower Peninsula; in both Cheboygan and Presque Isle Counties. The lake's shoreline measures approximately 19 miles and depth maps show the deepest point, about 50 feet, in the southwest section of the lake. Although not pronounced, there are two distinguishable basins in Black Lake; the northwest end characterized by broad shallow areas that deepen gradually while the southeast end is much deeper, wider and has a more pronounced drop-off, particularly on the western side.

The largest inlet to Black Lake is the Black River, flowing in on the west side, just north of Five-mile Point. The next largest tributary is the Rainy River, which enters in the southeast corner of the lake. Several smaller streams, including Stony, Stewart, and Fisher Creeks in the south, Mud Creek in the west and Cain's Creek to the north, also flow into Black Lake. These rivers and streams deliver great quantities of dark tannin-stained waters that give the lake its name. Tannins are natural, coming from plants, and do not pose a threat to water quality. The only outlet from the lake is the Lower Black River, which empties out of the northwestern corner.

Click here to learn more about the Black Lake Watershed.

The Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council has coordinated water quality monitoring programs on Black Lake for many years. Through the Volunteer Lake Monitoring program, volunteers have monitored water clarity, algae abundance and water temperature throughout each summer since 1987. Watershed Council staff also began monitoring the lake in 1987 as part of the Comprehensive Water Quality Monitoring program, resulting in the collection of supplemental data including nutrients, chloride, dissolved oxygen and pH. Data collected in these programs indicates that water quality remains quite high.

In addition to water quality monitoring endeavors, the Watershed Council has collaborated extensively with the Black Lake Association and other stakeholders/partners in the watershed to develop a watershed management plan and perform additional surveys. In 2002, the Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Plan was completed as part of the Black Lake Watershed Stewardship to protect and improve water quality by addressing nonpoint source pollution concerns. In 2005, the Black Lake Association contracted the Watershed Council to perform an aquatic plant survey and a shoreline nutrient pollution survey. Through collaborative efforts, the Watershed Council, Black Lake Association, and other partners are making progress in our mutual goal of protecting and improving the waters of Black Lake and its tributaries for generations to come.

Volunteer Lake Monitoring Results for Black Lake

Additional Resources

2009 Black Lake Profile

Details about recent monitoring activities and lake projects on Black Lake are included in this report.

Black Lake Watershed Stewardship Initiative Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Plan

Click the title for a complete copy of the Black Lake Watershed Stewardship Initiative Report.

Note: The document is 86 pages long. If you have a dial-up connection this document may take several minutes to download.

Black Lake Aquatic Plant Survey 2005

Black Lake Association contracted the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council to conduct an aquatic plant survey on Black Lake in Cheboygan and Presque Isle Counties, Michigan. The aquatic plant survey was conducted during the months of July and August in 2005. Aquatic plant specimens were collected and documented at 145 sites around the lake and major plant communities were also mapped. A total of 32 aquatic plant species were documented, all native to Michigan.

The entire document is 53 pages long. Please note that if you have a dial-up connection,
downloading this document may take several minutes.

A Nutrient Pollution Shoreline Survey - 2005

A shoreline survey to identify locations of potential nutrient pollution was conducted on Black Lake by the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council during the summer of 2005. The shoreline was surveyed for Cladophora growth and for areas of high conductivity. The survey was funded by the Black Lake Association.

Note: This document is 16 pages long and 3.41 MB. If you have a dial-up connection the download of this document may take several minutes.

Additional information about this lake can be obtained from the following partner organization.

Black Lake Association 

Mission
To provide for the beautification, improvement, care and protection of such property and to provide for and enhance the facilities for fishing, boating, swimming and mutual enjoyment of Black Lake and surrounding areas.

Contact:                 Ron Dulak, President
Mailing Address:    PO Box 302
Physical Address:   21617 Bluffs Hwy.
City/State/Zip:        Onaway, MI 49765

Phone:                   (989) 733-2565
Fax:                       n/a
E-mail:                   n/a

Website:                n/a