Black Lake Watershed Management Plan

Thank you to the Black Lake Watershed Team from the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) who presented an overview of the early work that they are doing with Tip of the Mitt (TOTM) Watershed Council.  The team has begun the process of planning and gathering needed data from the field to develop a new watershed management plan for the extremely large watershed that flows through Black Lake.  The Black Lake Watershed drains 547 square miles in Cheboygan, Montmorency, Otsego, and Presque Isle counties as part of the larger Cheboygan River Watershed.

During the team’s time in the field, they are surveying road crossings and shorelines throughout the four counties–measuring water flow and depth, watching for signs of erosion, and examining stormwater runoff. After completing field research of point and non-point sources of potential pollution, the team will analyze the data obtained and prepare a report for TOTM.  That report will be the basis for a long-term strategy for management of the watershed.  Deliverables could include written reports, fact sheets, a full management plan, recommendations for jurisdictional actions, recommendations for community education, etc.

The Black Lake Association is happy to sponsor the SEAS team in their field research and Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council in the development of the Black Lake Watershed Management Plan, which is essential to protecting our lake and river waters.  We look forward to hearing from them again. 

To view the slides accompanying the August 14 presentation to the Black Lake Association, click the following link. 

Watershed Management Plan Presentation

How You Can Help

A major component of the data collection requires input from watershed residents.  The presentation slides provide context for the survey.  We strongly encourage you to view the slides and to participate in the survey.  Your input is needed to help build the watershed management plan for our lake. 

Here’s the link to the survey:  https://tinyurl.com/4mub9hpb