Houghton LakeManagement Plan

Michigan Lake and Stream

AssociationsApril 2009

Physical Characteristics

• Lake Surface Area (acres) 20,044• Maximum Depth (feet) 21• Mean Depth (feet) 8.6• Lake Volume (acre-feet) 172,463• Shoreline Length (miles) 35• Shoreline Development Factor 1.8• Watershed Area (square miles) 172• Ratio of Lake Area to Watershed Area 1 : 5.5

1 61 6.6 19

10 61 7.7 19

Temp Dissolved Total

Depth (F) Oxygen Phosphorus

Plant Survey SitesGrid Survey Locations

Aquatic Plant Surveys• July 24 – August 1, 2001

• August 19-20, 2002

• August 4-6, 2003

• August 23-26, 2004

• August 22-24, 2005

• August 21-23, 2006

• August 20-22, 2007

• Augsut 12-13, 2008

Robbins pondweedThinleaf pondweedEurasian milfoilFlat-stem pondweedRichardson’s pondweedCurly-leaf pondweedWhitestem pondweedWater stargrassIllinois pondweedWater stargrassLarge-leaf pondweed

Estimated Plant Coverage: 2008

• 447 sites with plants

• Approximately 50% of lake area

• 25 plant species found

Eurasian Milfoil

Lake Board Established2000

• Includes representatives for all local governmental units

• Determined the scope of improvements necessary to protect or improve Houghton Lake

• Established a special assessment district to finance the improvements

• Prepares, assembles and computes statistical data on the status of the lake

Study Findings

• 10,800 acres of milfoil in 2001

• Common or dense in 5,300 acres

• 21 other plants also

• Milfoil most abundant

2000

Satellite imagery from altitude423 miles above earth

2002

Sonar in H oughton Lake 2002

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

Part

s pe

r Bill

ion

Plant Control History

Herbicides (acres treated) Acres # Weevils

Sonar Contacts Systemic Harvested Stocked2002 20,044 17

2003 32

2004 44 81 5,000

2005 50 395 84 28,000

2006 59 444 105

2007 106 660 30,000

2008 20 1,310 35

Houghton Lake C atch RateD NR C ollection of Northern P ike - W alleye - B luegill S urvey

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

1972 1977 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2007

Cat

ch P

er U

nit N

W

B

Watershed Management

• Houghton Lake Guidebook

• Storm Sewer Inventory

• Uniform Storm Water Regulations

• Phosphorus Fertilizer Ordinance

• Information and Education

Update lake residents on progressUpdate lake residents on progressNewspaper – Newsletter & Newspaper – Newsletter & Special ReportSpecial Report

Email over 600Email over 600

Publish reports – Publish reports – Assist other lakes & organizationsAssist other lakes & organizations

Produce “Houghton Lake” CDProduce “Houghton Lake” CD

Assessment DistrictRevenue Generated

• 64.6% Water front– Lake – River – Canal (50.7% of parcels)

• 22.2 % Back LotAbout a 6 iron from the water (38.5% of parcels)

• 13.2 % Commercial (10.8% of parcels)

What’s Next?

• Continue programs to improve and protect Houghton Lake.

Questions . . . ?