Long Lake Association and Long Lake Foundation Partner to Deploy Benthic Mat Pilot Project
The Long Lake Association and the Long Lake Foundation worked in partnership to deploy a benthic mat pilot project on Long Lake on Saturday, September 2. The Long Lake Foundation fully funded the project and the Long Lake Association contracted to have the project deployed. A benthic mat is a methodology used to control invasive aquatic plants like Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) that consists of laying a material such as biodegradable burlap on the lake bottom and weighing it down using sandbags to keep sunlight from getting to the invasive aquatic plants on the lake bottom. As part of this project, native plants were attached to the benthic mat including pondweed; slender naiad; and wild celery to help repopulate the area with native aquatic plants. This is a unique restoration technique that has only been tried on Long Lake, to our knowledge. This project is part of the Long Lake Association’s mission to continue to control the levels of Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) and evolve our treatment program to take advantage of all possible control measures to create a hybrid approach including benthic barriers, new treatment types, etc. As always, please remember to remove any plants attached to your boat and/or trailer before entering the lake and remind boat visitors that Long Lake has a brand-new boat wash station at the former fire hall located at 8870 N. Long Lake Road.
Please review the video provided below that provides an underwater survey of the benthic barrier site located at the north end of the peninsula in Long Lake.
Please note that the Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) shown growing from the edges of the benthic mat will be monitored in 2024. Any EWM that does re-grow will be hand-pulled or covered in 2024.
Join LLA Supporting Membership
Centurion Membership $145 receive one wine tumbler
Guardian Membership $245 receive two wine tumblers
The wine tumbler(s) are our gift to you for deeply supporting our efforts in preserving and protecting Long, Ruth, and Mickey Lakes.
Limited Edition Wine Tumbler
Double Sided Printing
Display Your LLA Support!
Encourage other riparians to join and preserve our gems.
CURRENT NEWS BULLETIN BOARD
2023 LLA Board Meeting Schedule
Board meetings are open to the membership for public comment at the beginning of the meeting. Please contact a board member if you wish to be put on the agenda. Board meetings begin at 5:00pm
2023 BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE
April 12 | Zoom Online
May 10 | Zoom Online
June 5 | 2023 Annual Discussion Meeting at 5:00 PM at Boone’s Long Lake Inn
July 12 | Zoom Online
August 9 | Zoom Online
August 26 | 2023 Annual Meeting at 9:00 AM at Boone’s Long Lake Inn
September 13 | Zoom Online
October 11 | Zoom Online
November 8 | Zoom Online (if needed)
Eurasian Watermilfoil Treatment Dates:
Our Lake Management Committee will be treating various sites for Eurasian Watermilfoil on June 20, 2023, and July 18, 2023. Riparian homeowners will be notified directly if treatment is in front of their property. Please stay a safe distance from our treatment boats during treatment.
Thank you in advance!
CENTRAL DISPATCH NON-EMERGENCY – 231-922-4550
(non-emergency calls for service for Law Enforcement, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services)
MARINE PATROL – 231-922-2112 (seasonal enforcement of boating laws on inland lakes)
DNR REPORT ALL POACHING (RAP) line-800-292-7800 (CALL OR TEXT)
(If you witness loon harassment, poaching, etc.)
Try to get the MC number when reporting any incident.
Pictures and especially videos of the incident are beneficial.
2021 marks a significant milestone for Long Lake!
As it celebrates the 100th anniversary of the origins of the Long Lake Association.
How did this party get started?
In September of 1921, twenty-five Long Lake property owners at the south end of the lake banded together and pitched in $1 each to form an organization named the Evergreen Beach Resort Association. This pioneering group of lake lovers recognized the need to organize to effectively maintain the quality of Long Lake for themselves and generations to come. The name was formally changed to The Long Lake Improvement Association in 1948. Later, the word Improvement was dropped, and the organization was incorporated as it stands today. Watch for more fun facts on our website and Facebook.
August 1982 Newsletter
June 2021 Newsletter
JOIN THE LONG LAKE ASSOCIATION
LLA ’s only source of annual income is from the membership dues that our residents and families contribute. These funds allow us to operate as a not for profit organization and provide operating funds for the Board to direct to projects and programs that are in the best environmental interest of Long, Mickey, and Ruth Lakes. Joining and Membership Renewal is easy!
Just click the button below labeled JOIN LLA TODAY! Your payment can be made using PayPal or by credit card. Or, if you receive your newsletter by US Mail, a membership envelope is included in the Spring issue. If you have not become an LLA member yet, please consider doing so this year! LLA Membership is open to all interested parties.
Long Lake Association is 501c4 certified!
INVASIVE SPECIES [ZEBRA MUSSELS] | Rick Dahlstrom
Zebra and quagga mussels in Long Lake?
Zebra Mussels
Zebra mussels are a well-known invasive species in the Great Lakes region. Together with their cousin the quagga mussel (which can grow a little larger and live in deeper waters, but looks the same), they have spread into inland waters and the Great Lakes since they arrived in Lake St. Clair more than
20 years ago. They cause a variety of negative changes in the lakes where they live: they filter out tiny food particles that young fish like walleye and perch need to survive and grow, are responsible for loon and other waterfowl deaths through botulism poisoning, and are a nuisance to swimmers and boaters with their sharp edges and ability to form massive colonies on any dock, hoist or structure in the water.
Many northern Michigan lakes have seen zebra and quagga mussels appear and flourish. Long Lake has been extremely fortunate to avoid such infestations, in part due to it being a relatively quiet lake with few boat launches (most invasive species are unknowingly brought in by boaters that don’t live on the lake). However, several lake residents have recently found small clumps of mussels. Zebra mussels can have small populations for years before suddenly showing explosive growth. They are usually about 1⁄4-1.5 inches long, with brown and tan stripes (though stripes may be lacking) on a D-shaped shell. They produce microscopic eggs that can travel through open water and in bilge water or minnow buckets on boats.
Because Long Lake may be in the early stages of an invasion, it is important to document and remove all new populations to slow their spread. If you think you may have found a zebra or quagga mussel, please note the exact location, take a photo, and remove the mussels from the water, making sure no parts of the mussel are left in the lake. Removal will not only prevent them from releasing more eggs but will allow Long Lake Association to make a positive identification. Please contact Rick Dahlstrom at [email protected] or 248-568-4263 if you think you have found zebra or quagga mussels or have any questions. Thank you for your assistance in helping to manage this potential issue and maintaining the high quality of Long Lake.
FEMALES CAN PRODUCE A MILLION EGGS A YEAR!
In 2021 zebra mussels are again reproducing in Long Lake. Each female can produce a million eggs in a year. As you see in our lake they are often found attached to clamshells. If you see Zebra Mussels on rocks, clams, dock stands, or anything else, please immediately remove them from the lake. We should all stay vigilant while enjoying our time in the water.
Preserve our lakes future – Donate Now!
We are blessed to live in a spectacular watershed. But what does it take to maintain the health and beauty of this precious asset? It takes organizations dedicated to preserving the natural features and ensuring our enjoyment of this community long into the future. That is where the Long Lake Association and the Long Lake Foundation come in. These organizations have different functions but share the same goal–preserving the beauty of Long Lake and its watershed for years to come. Consider the two organizations to be a partnership working for the benefit of the environment and its members. Here is a closer look at the work each does:
LONG LAKE FOUNDATION
- As a 501c3 entity, LLF provides leadership and financial resources for projects and programs that enhance Long Lake and the Long Lake Watershed.
- LLF orchestrates the protection of the islands from fires and erosion
- Makes possible the Long Lake/NMC Freshwater Studies program that monitors water quality on Long,
Mickey, Ruth, Fern, and Page Lakes. - Works in concert with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy helping to make the Timbers
Recreation Area a reality. - The LLF has made significant contributions to the enhancement and enjoyment of the lake investing over
$7,500.00 annually on average over the last 3 years.
LONG LAKE ASSOCIATION
- As a 501c4 entity, LLA is the administrative arm of this partnership.
- Through committees, the LLA oversees communication with the membership, monitors community
affairs with the township, the news and information source, promoting community involvement. - LLA is the boots on the ground and muscle that targets; Lake Science, Community Affairs, Fishing and
Wildlife, Lake Management which includes the detection and management of invasive species and Water Safety. For example, we continue to treat Eurasian watermilfoil twice each year to improve the quality of the lakes for boating, etc. using advanced technology to limit the amount of chemical required to treat the lakes.
Both organizations are vital for the long-term health of Long Lake Watershed. To assure cohesiveness, a prescribed number of individuals sit on both boards.
As you plan your end of year giving, consider a tax-deductible contribution to the Long Lake Foundation. Your donation will help preserve the beauty of Long Lake for the next generation. As always, your contributions to the Long Lake Foundation are tax deductible under the 501c3 designation of the IRS code. These funds will go directly to the Long Lake Improvement Fund.
Thank you in advance for your generous donation.