It’s the first big holiday of the summer season and the Lake Leelanau Lake Association (LLLA) is asking locals and visitors alike to make sure they are not bringing “baggage” along with them.
The association has opened four new wash stations around Lake Leelanau to combat the ever-looming threat of invasive species.
The LLLA opened these wash stations at intervals of common traffic around the lake. The boat launches now fitted with stations are Suelzer Park on north Lake Leelanau; the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) access just south of the Narrows, on the east side of the lake; DNR launch at the end of Bingham Road, on the east side of the lake; and the DNR site in Centerville Township along Co. Rd. 643.
“Aquatic invasive species are spread really easily from being on boats and passing from lake to lake when boats aren’t properly cleaned,” said Annalise Povolo, director of LLLA’s administration and programs.
The main issue is with Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM), a species that has “cost hundreds of thousands” over the last few years, eating effectively 75% of the LLLA budget.
LLLA began using biodegradable burlap barriers in June 2023 to control (EWM) in Lake Leelanau. The LLLA and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) have been working to control EWM since 2020. Boat washing stations are a second step of the fight against aquatic invaders.
Boating comes with the territory when large bodies of water exist, and Leelanau has that in spades.
The problem at hand presents itself where boating is popular, and that problem is invasive species. These dangerous and damaging species are transferred from their native bodies of water to others where they become detrimental to the ecosystem around them.
The common mode of travel is from latching onto the hulls of boats and following to wherever they are put next. Due to its 14 launch sites, calm waters, and beautiful views, Lake Leelanau experiences a lot of boating traffic through the summer months. This comes with problems of its own, as many of these boats are infested by these invasive species, without the owners even being aware of the environmental dangers.
Along with EWM, Lake Leelanau also faces threats from zebra mussels and quagga mussels, curly-leaf pondweed, and rusty crayfish. All of these invasive species spread the quickest through the transferring of boats in and out of the lakes.
The “invaders” attach themselves and/or become stuck to the undersides of boats, the hull, and the engine. Then, when the boats are removed from the lake and put into another one, the invasive species transfer to that lake. In order to combat the growing issue and number of these pests, Povolo recommends cleaning the boat at these wash stations before and after usage even if patrons don’t plan on launching at one of the four locations.
Construction of the boat wash stations “wouldn’t have been possible” without support from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, a partner of the LLLA.
In order to protect and preserve the beauty and joy the lakes hold, the LLLA is looking to hire employees to manage/ operate the washing stations.
More information can be found at the Lake Leelanau Lake Association website, under the employment heading.
The only way that Lake Leelanau will remain healthy is with a community effort.
”Tons of invasive species are knocking on our door,” Povolo said. “Prevention is the most important and cost effective way of keeping invasive species from ruining our lakes.”
