Lake treatment and management updates
As we shared in the fall, 2022 has been the best in many years for the treatment of the exotic, invasive aquatic plants in Sage Lake.
We have seen the Eurasian water milfoil decrease to the lowest acreage, and we are seeing more of the native plants returning. Our biggest challenge now is the native plant wild celery weed, also known as eelgrass. The DNR introduced this aquatic plant into the lakes to provide food, shelter and nursery habitats for a wide range of organisms. Eelgrass also helps prevent erosion and maintains shoreline stability by anchoring sediment with its spreading roots and rhizomes.
While it is a beneficial plant for the lakes, eel grass also is considered a nuisance plant and causes a disturbance for the watersports traffic.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) does not allow systemic treatment to kill the plant. Most of the weeds that are being washed up to the shorelines from boat chop are eelgrass. To mitigate this, we will continue to treat this plant to stunt the growth so that it delays the growing process to a time frame past the most active boat traffic on the lake.
We have been fortunate to have a company that is improving the aquatic plant ecology for Sage Lake and hope to continue with this partnership in the future to improve the lake for everyone.
Thank you all for doing your part in helping to improve the lake for future generations.
Read the 2023 aquatic vegetation summary here.
2024 Treatment Schedule
Treatments will occur throughout the summer. Please watch your shoreline for posted signs with specific instructions. Please also note you'll see PLM on the lake many times this summer. PLM will not always be treating the lake but will be performing surveys and water quality tests as well.
The following dates have been tentatively set but may be adjusted as the season progresses due to many factors (permit restrictions, growth, weather, etc.). Always watch for posted signs.
- April 22: Water quality
- May 13: Survey
- May 20: Weed and algae treatment
- June 10: Survey
- June 17: Weed and algae treatment
- July 8: Survey and water quality
- July 15: Weed and algae treatment
- Aug. 5: Survey
- Aug. 12: Weed and algae treatment
- Sept. 9: Water quality, end of year survey, AVAS
To contribute to the maintenance of Sage Lake, you can make a donation to the Aquatic Habitat Management Fund. Click here to visit our donation page and select the fund from the drop-down menu to contribute directly to the fund. Thank you for your support!
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