Updates

This fall the PLIA volunteers walked every inch of the inhabited Platte Lake shoreline looking for Cladophora. Why? Cladophora is a green algae that is unique in that it serves as a reliable marker for nutrient overloading such phosphorous and nitrogen. It is important to minimize the amount of these nutrients because they cause excessive algae and plant growth, which will then affect the water quality where you swim and play. Here's a link to the Report.

The PLIA Board is pleased to welcome Scott Jones as it’s newest Board Member.

Scott and his wife Debbie are full time residents of Platte Lake. Scott is a retired manufacturing professional who specialized in running manufacturing plants for private and public companies in several locations throughout the US.  Scott’s outdoor life extends to hobbies in hockey, hunting, and golf where he spends the majority of his time when not working on home and land projects. 

Scott has been active on our Science and Research committee.

The PLIA knows that it’s membership has enjoyed fishing for walleye in Platte Lake. The walleye plantings have been discontinued by the MDNR for about 6 years. Recently the PLIA contacted the MDNR with rationale for the resumption of those plantings. You can read our letter and the MDNR response with these  links.

Although we were not successful, the PLIA board felt it is important for members to know that we are advocating on their behalf.

Of particular interest is the abstract that used the data from the MDNR and did a simple statistical analysis looking for the correlation between walleye planting and coho returns. You can see that there is actually a positive correlation. Obviously mature walleye will eat smolt, but the impact of that walleye population, in spite of plantings, remains of no consequence according to this objective statistical analysis.

The PLIA plans on participating in the 2024 salmon marking study that Mr. Heintzelman referred to in his response. Conceptually, the idea that smolt release at the lower weir will reduce predation by birds, fish, otters etc. in Platte Lake on the smolt population and improve mature salmon return is interesting. The impact on fish rearing could mean that fewer fish, at less cost, could be produced for the same return rate. Now that is a win-win. 

If you were unable to attend our Annual Meeting August 6th, here is the link to the Zoom recording. Like many meetings, the recording started before the meat of the meeting started, so it takes a bit before your get the beginning of the meeting. Also, you'll need to copy and paste the Access Passcode below

Topic: 10:00 AM Saturday August 6, 2022 PLIA Annual Meeting

Start Time: Aug 6, 2022 09:30 AM

Meeting Recording:

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/M8Ch-KPE4SQ-IhkwWdXYPAHP6DsNwLYpX7OcH7VO1mhEfpV7AxhL0Q_gAAuFoGg-.d6YOP5mmciT5_51m

Access Passcode: hp+kF7#G

PLIA Store

Here’s the Minutes of last year’s Annual Meeting.

Some Platte Lake residents have experienced their shoreline being pushed up by the ice. So, how does this happen? Well, several physical properties can work together to “shove” ice toward your shoreline. Temperature fluctuations, changing water levels and the prevailing wind can all contribute to push ice onto the shore with considerable force. This force has been known to move houses off of their foundations, push boulders the size of SUVs and snap trees in half. Do we have your attention?

As you know, Platte Lake covers 2,516 acres, is 3.3 miles long and roughly 1.6 miles wide. When temperatures decrease, this large ice sheet contracts, forming stress fractures. Water from below fills these cracks, freezes and expands the ice sheet. When temperatures rise, the ice expands, as well. Lastly, changing water levels also cause the ice to crack, cracks, again, fill with water, freeze and the ice sheet continues to expand. Unfortunately, this happens all winter long, continually expanding the ice sheet. It just keeps getting wider.

Prevailing wind also comes into play. Typically, the land temperature causes the water near shore to freeze last and thaw first causing a huge, very heavy, floating ice sheet on the lake. The bigger the lake, the more force the wind can apply to push this heavy mass of ice toward shore. You see this in the summer in the form of bigger waves.

So, what can you do to protect your shoreline? Landscapers recommend a 3:1 slope, meaning a gradual rise of 1 foot for every 3 feet of shoreline. This will create a ramp for the ice to slide on top of the ground rather than pushing up against it. This will also reduce erosion from wave action once the ice is gone. Please know that it is your responsibility to obtain all necessary permits before you begin any shoreline work.

Here's a TV feature from Minnesota:

at www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsqbZCq2cT4

 Here's the link to the info.

John Ransom of the Benzie Conservation District, normally does all our lake and tributary sampling.  He's recently become a licensed drone pilot, and shot footage recently of the Lake and tributaries in February. Here's the link:

https://youtu.be/KluW02C_AKM

The State of Michigan has created a webinar that describes best practices for shoreline management: Advancing Inland Lake Stewardship through Shoreline Best Management Practices https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/8970175820341110535.