Gourdneck Lake Governmental Lake Board
In 2016 the City of Portage and Schoolcraft Township took the necessary steps to form a Gourdneck Lake Governmental Lake Board to address weed control in the lake. The formation of this Board and the regulations around its governance and authority is established in the NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, Act 451 of 1994. In adherence to the Act, the board commissioned the analysis of the types and extent of weed growth in the lake. With the guidance of an experienced limnologist, the Board supported the treatment of the lake for weed control and established an assessment to fund the treatment plan.
Gourdneck Lake has been managed and successfully treated for weed growth for seven seasons, the incidence of non-native invasive weeds has been significantly reduced. The lake continues to be treated for small instances of invasive weeds and selective treatment of nuisance native weeds. Several times each season, after a careful survey of the lake, the limnologist identifies a treatment plan for the lake, canals and the outlet creek. The plan must take the entire lake habitat into consideration, treatment is a delicate balance between supporting the fish and wildlife, the enjoyment of all types of boaters, and importantly, the limits of the permit prescribed by the State of Michigan. The Board also supports the treatment of Hogset Lake for invasive weeds. Boat traffic and water flow will carry invasive weeds from Hogset Lake into Gourdneck Lake.
Act 451 allows the Governmental Lake Board to establish 5 year plans. 2021 was the last season covered by the initial plan. During 2021 the Board evaluated the success of the existing plan, listened to public comment and determined continuation was in the best interest in the management of Gourdneck Lake.
Comments and questions regarding the lake management program should be directed to segrieve@gmail.com with a copy to terry.urban@portagemi.gov
Current Board Members
Terry Urban - City of Portage Representative - Chairperson
Dave Reno - Schoolcraft Township Representative
Jason Wiersma - Kalamazoo County Drain Commissioner
Wendy Mazer - Kalamazoo County Representative
Steve Grieve - Riparian Representative - Treasurer
Gourdneck Lake Weed Management – Frequently asked Questions
Why are we treating the lake for weeds?
In 2016 numerous property owners were having difficulty getting boats to deep water due to thick weed growth off their docks, primarily invasive milfoil. Also at least 2 of the canals were being treated for weeds and algae funded by the owners along the canals. A Governmental Lake Board was formed to coordinate efforts to manage weeds in the lake.
How was the Lake Board formed?
The existing Lake Board was assembled by the City of Portage and Schoolcraft Township using the NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, Act 451 of 1994. Information about Act 451 is provided in the Links section.
Does the Lake Board have to get permits to treat the lake?
Yes, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, (EGLE) oversees permitting and licensing for all bodies of water in Michigan. The lake is managed with the appropriate permits and using appropriately licensed professionals.
I get a long list of herbicides and algaecides every year, why do they need to use so many chemicals?
The list that is mailed to property owners is the entire list of potential herbicides or algaecides that might be considered for use that season. If a product is not listed it is not available for use if it was needed, being on the list does not indicate it will be used.
Are the Products approved for aquatic use?
Yes, all products used for lake management are approved by the US EPA for use in aquatic applications.
How do they decide when to treat the lake?
The Aquatic Biologist surveys the lake to determine, first if any treatment is necessary, then if yes determines the appropriate herbicide, the appropriate application concentration and the GPS coordinates to be treated.
What is a lake survey?
The Biologist boats around the entire perimeter of the lake to observe the bottom and weed growth. Based on this this on-site review of the lake, the biologist develops a map identifying areas for treatment.
When the lake is treated often the notice includes 5 or 6 products, why so many?
The posted notice includes all the products that will be used that day, not all products are used at every application point. The biologist selects the product most appropriate for the specific weed to be treated.
This program has been underway for 5 years, why haven’t we gotten rid of the invasive Eurasian Milfoil?
The Eurasian Milfoil is prolific and easily breaks loose from the bottom and is easily transplanted to other areas of the lake. Also, we have an inlet creek that flows from Sugarloaf lake and we have boat launches on Gourdneck and Hogsett. We did not expect to eliminate the milfoil only to control the growth.
Why is Eurasian Milfoil so bad?
The link below provides information on the impact of Eurasian Milfoil in Michigan.
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/invasives/wrd-ais-ewm-strategy_619141_7.pdf
Sometimes I see the boat but I do not get a notice, why?
Notices are only posted in areas treated. If your shoreline is not posted it means that there were no applications in front of your property.
Do we pay for treating Hogsett Lake?
On the advice of our Biologist, we treat Hogsett lake for invasive weeds only. Due to water flow and boat traffic, it is better to treat invasive weeds as they are detected rather than wait for them to travel into Gourdneck.
Does lake treatment harm the fish?
The herbicides and algicides, when used appropriately, are not toxic to fish. The Biologist strives for, and the state permits require, that any treatment is expected to have minimal impact on the fish or the fish habitat.
How do we know they do not just dump herbicides into the lake so they can collect the treatment fees?
The aquatic Biologist hired for management of Gourdneck Lake is under contract for that activity only. The contract does not include application of product to the lake. A licensed applicator executes the plan developed by the biologist. The professional determining if and where to apply product is paid the same, even if no treatment is warranted.