Boaters returning to the water will get an education at five boat washing stations along two Leelanau lakes this summer.
The Glen Lake Association has been operating its wash station for 29 years — well before the talk of invasive species.
“In the early days, someone who was joining as a neighbor, held the pump in a garage. Kids would go and get it, ” boat wash manager Victoria Velting said.
Boat wash station attendants have the important role of making sure patrons wash any invasive species off their boats before they put them in the water. This is to fight an ongoing battle against the various invasive species that are starting to take over the lakes.
Invasive species pose a significant threat to Michigan’s aquatic and wetland resources. Invasive species will: reduce overall plant and animal diversity; destroy critical biological resources such as fish nursery habitat; simplify natural communities (as opposed to diversify); reduce property values; restrict fishing, boating, and other recreational opportunities.
The heated pressure wash system at the launch removes larvae, eggs, and plant fragments which can survive anywhere water accumulates on or in watercraft: on the hull, in the motor’s cooling system, in a bait box, or on equipment such as waders, water skis and wakeboards. Zebra mussels and quagga mussels.
“Almost everyone is thankful for the work they’re doing,” Velting said. “Once in a while, some are fearful of damage to their boats or unaware of the ordinances or invasive species.
“Once people realize, they start thinking about it and are like ‘Yeah. Yeah. I do want it to stay beautiful.’ Once people take a step aside from their hesitance, most come around to the idea.”
The GLA has a partnership with the Department of Natural Resources as the DNR owns the boat launch and requires the Michigan Recreation Passport on the licenses of those who park there. It is the only access to the lake, making people more open to complying, Velting expressed.
Christian First has worked as an attendant at the access for seven years.
“It’s really repetitive and easy. Very little change,” he said. “I like it even though it’s a hard job as the whole lake ecosystem is resting on your shoulders.”
Over the term of his employment, First said he has directly seen fewer and fewer of the first invasives to infiltrate the lake.
“I’ve seen the zebra mussels decrease significantly since living here,” he said.
Zebra mussels are an invasive species that were accidentally introduced to the Great Lakes in the 1980s through ballast water from European ships.
Zebra mussels are filter feeders that eat small plants and animals called phytoplankton and zooplankton, as well as large bacteria and organic detritus.
The immediate impact was beneficial, improving water quality and water clarity/plants. A secondary impact, much less favorable, is a reduction in the density levels of phyto- and zooplankton, which impacts the food chain and the creatures who rely on the plankton for sustenance.
The most recent concern for the inland lakes is Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) which has taken hold on the floor of Lake Leelanau.
And the Lake Leelanau Lake Association (LLLA) has taken up arms — of sorts.
LLLA launched one of the most aggressive, chemical-free treatment programs in the nation which includes the placement of acres of burlap over the infestations. Once covered, EWM dies and gives seed beds of native plants an opportunity to reclaim bottomland.
As a preventative, LLLA has opened four new wash stations around Lake Leelanau this summer. The LLLA is hiring attendants to man the wash stations located on the east bank of the Lake Leelanau Narrows; at the end of Bingham Road; on the western shoreline south of Hohnke Road in Centerville Township and at Suelzer Park on the north end of the lake.
