Celebrating 40 Years of Protecting Northern Michigan's Water Resources
​​Protecting Northern Michigan's water resources since 1979.
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Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed

The Elk River Watershed, covering over 500 square miles, is the largest sub-watershed of Grand Traverse Bay. It is home to the famous Chain of Lakes, 55 miles of connected lakes and streams in Antrim and Kalkaska Counties. Issues pertaining to the watershed are being addressed under the Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Protection Plan - 2005 (see below), which has been approved by both the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Unites States Environmental Protection Agency. The Watershed Council has partnered with the Watershed Center of Grand Traverse Bay and various local organizations to address these issues, and in November 2010 formed the Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed Plan Implementation Team (ERCOL WPIT)!
Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed Plan Implementation Committee (ERCOL WPIT)
The Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed Plan Implementation Committee (ERCOL WPIT) has a committee webpage with the latest news, lots of cool information, meeting minutes and agendas, and the interactive Fish Shelters map. 
During the summers of 2016 and 2017, the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council led a coordinated effort to conduct a shoreline survey for 15 Lakes in the Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed. The surveys were meant to document conditions that could impact water quality, including the three biggest threats to inland lakes: nutrient pollution, habitat loss, and shoreline erosion. Within the Watershed, shoreline properties have a large connection to the surrounding landscape and can serve as the last line of defense for protecting water quality. Conducted on a parcel by parcel basis, survey results indicate that human activity along sections of shoreline of many Lakes is likely impacting the lake water quality to some extent. Importantly, Lake water quality remains quite high in all Lakes surveyed. The purpose of each survey was meant to identify areas of the shoreline that can be enhanced and improved to prevent nutrient pollution, erosion, increase fish habitat, and help protect and conserve the Elk River Chain of Lakes for future generations. Improving areas with poor greenbelts will help the character and quality of your Lake by helping to reduce nutrient pollution and sediment input from erosion along the shoreline. Please visit the Michigan Shoreland Stewards (http://www.mishorelandstewards.org/) for more information on healthy lake practices along the shoreline.

Below are individual Lake reports for all lakes surveyed, highlighting greenbelt status, areas of erosion, and the presence of a bioindicator algae, known as "Cladophora". Clicking a lake name will open the respective report in a new browser window. Please scroll beneath the lake list for a map depicting survey results. A legend for each map layer is shown by clicking the arrow next to the checked layer. Scroll down for information on greenbelts, Cladophora, and erosion from the survey. For individual parcel results, please contact Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council at (231)347-1181.
Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Protection Plan (2005)
The intent of the protection plan is to assist area watershed groups, lake associations, local governments, volunteer groups, and many others in making sound decisions to help improve and protect water quality in their area. It provides recommendations on how to reduce water quality degradation and protect our valuable resource, the Grand Traverse Bay watershed. 
Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed Property Owner's Permit Guide
If you have plans to build, drill or fill there are some things you should know before you begin. Many home improvement activities are regulated by local, state or federal agencies. As a result, a review process and permits are often required before work begins. This process can be confusing for the homeowner seeking answers. To help you navigate through the right channels, we offer this resource to set you on your course toward achieving your property goals.
Elk River Chain of Lakes - 2010 Lake Profile
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council has worked for decades to ensure that our waters remain magnificent resources. The information and data contained in the Chain of Lakes Profile illustrates the hard work of our staff and volunteers to ensure the high water quality of lakes in our region now and in the future.