The Crystal Lake & Watershed Association
Swimmer’s Itch reporting
MERGANSER TRAPPING WILL NOT TAKE PLACE IN 2022, SO DO NOT REPORT SIGHTINGS OF BROODS.
If you are affected by swimmer’s itch, please report your case using the “button” below. Your report will enter the CLWA data base to assist continuing research.
For more on swimmer’s itch and how to avoid it, see the CLWA brochure HERE.
CLWA News Highlights
CLWA Annual Meeting Held on July 23
CLWA Annual Meeting Held on July 23 …
CLWA resumes Eurasian Watermilfoil control
Under contract to the CLWA, Clear Water Lake Management, with drone assistance from Zero Gravity Aerial, completed a treatment of …
Merganser trapping cancelled for 2022
On March 28 the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) notified the CLWA that all permits for the trapping and relocation of wildfowl …
“Stewardship for a Healthy Watershed” booklet available
As the days lengthen and blue water emerges from the ice, many of you are making plans for your yards and gardens. The CLWA is proud to make available …
Merganser trapping completed for 2021
CLWA’s merganser trapping team completed the removal of all broods from Crystal Lake by July 21st. The final count was 11 broods …
CLWA Annual Meeting held on July 24
CLWA members met on Saturday, July 24, at the Mills Community House in Benzonia and virtually via Zoom for the 2021 Annual Members Meeting. President Dave Wynne presented …
CLWA completes treatment of invasive Eurasian Watermilfoil
The CLWA began its long-delayed treatment of EWM in Crystal Lake on June 30 under the terms of the authorization provided by the Michigan Department of Environment …
CLWA suspends Eurasian Watermilfoil treatment for 2020
On July 28 the CLWA executive committee made the difficult decision to cancel its plans to begin control of the invasive Eurasian Watermilfoil in Crystal Lake …
CLWA annual members meeting held on July 18 — WATCH THE FULL VIDEO
CLWA members met via Zoom on July 18 for the 2020 Annual Members Meeting. President Dave Wynne presented a comprehensive report on current programs and Treasurer Ron Ahrns detailed the allocation …
Merganser brood relocation completed for 2020 — WATCH VIDEO
CLWA’s team has now finished trapping and relocating all the merganser broods that nested on Crystal Lake this summer. Over a month’s time, completing work on July 8, they captured 10 broods …
CLWA plans treatment of invasive Eurasian Watermilfoil
The CLWA’s comprehensive three-year (2016-2018) survey of the aquatic plants in Crystal Lake revealed a generally healthy lake, and identified Eurasian watermilfoil (“EWM”, Myriophyllum spicatum) as the only invasive plant species currently …
Water quality testing results for 2019 now available
As part of the Michigan Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program, the CLWA sponsors comprehensive scientific testing of Crystal Lake’s water. Monitoring provides advance warning, so that early action can be taken to protect Crystal Lake. The latest results …
Swimmer’s Itch Data from Congregational Assembly Beach 2019
The Congregational Summer Assembly beach, on the southwest corner of Crystal Lake, has been producing the most complete and accurate data on the occurrence of swimmer’s itch since 2013. The latest statistics, from the 2019 season …
Aerial shoreline survey completed
Zero Gravity Aerial of Traverse City completed a total shoreline survey of Crystal Lake during the summer of 2019. An initial high flyover looked at shoals to identify obvious changes like aquatic plant beds or human disturbance. Then the drone took …
Merganser trapping completed for 2019
CLWA’s merganser trapping team completed the removal of all broods from Crystal Lake by the end of July. The final count was 10 broods (one without the hen) and a total of 68 ducklings, 77 birds in all. This compares to 16 broods …
CLWA annual members meeting held on July 20
A large crowd of over 100 attended the 2019 CLWA annual members meeting on July 20. President Dave Wynne reviewed current programs and Treasurer Ron Ahrns described allocation of financial resources. The Crystal Circle Award was presented to Ted Fisher …
New Michigan Boating Law to prevent introduction of invasive species
A new Michigan Boating Law that aims to prevent the introduction of invasive aquatic plants and animals goes into effect on March 21, 2019. An amendment to the state Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act 451 of 1994, the new law …
Final report on 2018 swimmer’s itch control program
Swimmer’s Itch Control LLC, who carried out CLWA’s swimmer’s itch program during the summer of 2018, has now submitted its final report. The conclusions strongly support the preliminary results observed during summer activities, and point the way toward the continuing efforts …
Benzie area students join 26th annual Walkabout in the watershed
On October 9 the CLWA conducted its 26th annual experiential educational project for middle school students, the Crystal Lake Walkabout. Sixth grade classes from Benzie Central and Frankfort/Elberta public schools visited locations around Crystal Lake to learn about the ecology of the watershed and the ways its qualities can be threatened. One aim is to foster appreciation …
CLWA completes aquatic plant survey of Crystal Lake
In early August 2018 the CLWA completed the final phase of its comprehensive, three-year survey of the aquatic plants in Crystal Lake. Under the direction of board member Jim Hamp, and assisted by volunteers and the drone technology of Zero Gravity Aerial, the survey …
Protecting Crystal Lake Now for Generations to Come.
P.O. Box 89 • Beulah, MI 49617
info@crystallakewatershed.org
231.882.4001 Tel
The Crystal Lake & Watershed Association (CLWA), is a non-profit (501c3) organization.
Photography: Jay Burt and Rick Cosaro
Site by: Rick Cosaro