BLA at Work Protecting Black Lake:  Shoreline Survey

June 6, 2017

The Tip of the Mitt (TOTM) Watershed Council will begin the first phase of the Black Lake shoreline survey in mid- to late June, according to Matt Claucherty, Tip of the Mitt Monitoring and Research Coordinator. The shoreline survey process will include assessment of the greenbelt (vegetative buffer), shoreline erosion, and cladophora algae growth (nutrient pollution). The survey will identify possible problem areas that may be a result of septic tank leakage, over-fertilization of lawns, or inflow from nearby tributaries. You’re likely to see a kayak or two in front of your property, with the occupants taking pictures and making notes while the information is being collected. Matt encourages you to ask questions.

Once data collection from around the lake is completed this year, TOTM will prepare and send individual reports to every property owner containing their survey results and educational information about shoreline management practices. Preparation of these reports will take until Spring 2018.

In addition, property owners can then request more detailed information, and TOTM will recheck problems identified to see if they were anomalies or have been remedied.

Following a presentation by TOTM and discussion with members at several meetings last fall, the Black Lake Association Board of Directors contracted with TOTM to schedule both the shoreline survey and the educational follow-up for this water quality stewardship project. The objective is a deliverable for all property owners that identifies problems early for remediation and encourages good stewardship of the lake.

For more detailed information, see the Spring 2017 Black Lake Newsletter.