Author: Paul Pek

We have been receiving a lot of inquiries from concerned lakefront owners due to the blue-green algae blooms that appeared on our lake this year. Blue-green algae is in all area lakes to some extent, and Bear Lake has been one of the few lakes in the state with no large outbreaks over the last several years.

As soon as some suspicious algae was visible on the lake, we reached out to PLM who is our lake management and treatment provider. They came out the next business day and treated 10 acres of shoreline where the bloom was most concentrated, and took a sample which confirmed it was blue-green algae.

With a 455-acre lake, treating a planktonic algae bloom is challenging because the algae is constantly moving with the wind and water movement while also being suspended within the water column. EGLE regulations also limit how aggressively we can treat these blooms, and PLM can only treat developed shorelines, out to 5 feet of water or 100 feet out (whichever is shorter), so we are unable to apply algaecide across the entire lake (not to mention how costly that would be)

PLM will be back on the lake tomorrow (Tue June 30) to do their regular monthly treatment for invasive species, and if there are additional shoreline areas with significant accumulations, they will treat those locations.

The BLLB does want to set realistic expectations. With the heat wave forecasted for this week, new algae growth will most likely continue to develop, even after Tuesday’s treatment. Unfortunately, that’s one of the biggest challenges with managing planktonic blooms. They are driven largely by weather conditions and nutrient availability. PLM feels our remarkable wet spring resulted in an increase in nutrient runoff into the lake, and that coupled with our heat wave will create ideal conditions for blue-green algae to continue to grow.

The BLLB is concerned about keeping Bear Lake as healthy as possible, and we will continue to do that to the best of our ability.

PLM will be out on Bear Lake Monday (weather permitting). They will be treating the areas in red and yellow on the attached map for invasive Eurasian watermilfoil, as well as the channel finger areas for nuisance native plants. They will also be treating any visible blue-green algae.

They will be placing notifications on the shoreline of treated areas, which will list any use or watering restrictions, which are typically minimal. You may want to shut off your sprinklers for later on Monday and Tuesday, particularly if you have new lawn, or water a garden from the lake. The notice on the shoreline will give full details.

As a reminder, stay up to date by signing up for the Bear Lake-Lake Board notification system! Simply text BEARLAKE to 888777.

Thank you, BLLB

The BLLB is notifying lakefront owners and visitors that blue-green algae (Microcystis and Dolichospermum /Anabaena) has been identified in isolated areas of the lake.  While not all algae blooms are harmful, some can produce toxins that pose risks to people and pets.

This form of algae is especially hard to treat because it is microscopic and easily mixed in the water column when the lake is stirred up by waves or boats.  It’s most noticeable on calm days with light winds that push the algae to isolated spots on the lake.  Most recently, it was spotted in the channel area, as well as along the properties around the 52 N Bear Lake Rd area on the west shore of the lake (photo attached).  It was not spotted in the middle or other areas of the lake, and there was no sign near the public beaches.

All lakes have some trace of blue-green algae and it is “normal”, and most area lakes have had larger outbreaks over the last few years, but Bear Lake has been spared for the post part due to our aggressive treatment of invasive plants and all algae.

What you should do

• Avoid contact with water that looks discolored, cloudy, streaky, or has surface scum or mats
• Keep children and pets out of affected areas (dogs are especially vulnerable)
• Do not ingest lake water and avoid activities that may cause you to swallow water in affected areas
• Rinse off with clean water if you come in contact with suspicious algae.
• Do not let pets drink from the lake in affected areas

What we’re doing

• The BLLB is actively monitoring the situation and will provide updates as conditions change.  We are working with our lake management provider (PLM), as well as GVSU.  PLM has already done one treatment and will be back out on our lake on Monday, June 29 for their regular monthly treatment, where they will hit any blue-green algae as well.

How You Can Help

• Please report any suspicious algae sightings to the BLLB through our report link (http://www.bllb.org/report-lake-concerns/), so we can track and respond promptly.
• Here are some links to helpful information on blue-green algae

Here are a few of links if you want more information on blue-green algae:

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/blue-green-algae

https://co.muskegon.mi.us/DocumentCenter/View/1680/Blue-Green-Algae-Fact-Sheet-PDF?bidId=