Belleville Lake

· Shoreline Management

A property owner with land that is either on or near Belleville Lake has special opportunities and even responsibilities in helping us keep a high level of water quality for the lake. In this section there is information on four topics that can help us reach this goal: Lake Safe Lawncare, Shoreline Erosion, Aquatic Buffer Strips, and Dishwashing Detergent.

· Lake Safe Lawncare

Fertilizers can have a big impact on the water quality of Belleville Lake. This is because the phosphorus in fertilizers can wash into the lake. Phosphorus is the limiting nutrient in aquatic systems. When there is excess phosphorous it causes the algae blooms that we see in the lake. Just one pound of phosphorous can produce 500 pounds of algae! Conduct a soil test to determine what nutrients are needed for your lawn. Many soils in this area are already high in phosphorus.

Select slow-release fertilizers to gradually feed plants. These products should contain little or no phosphorus. The numbers on the labels of fertilizers will help you identify which are low in phosphorus. The numbers indicate the percentages of nitrogen-phosphorous-and potassium as potash. Low phosphorous brands have ratings on their labels such as 23-0-6, 30-4-4 or 26-4-4. Fertilizers containing abundant nitrogen (46-0-0, 33-0-0) are not recommended because they are highly soluble and can readily wash away or enter groundwater.

Here are some tips from the Huron River Watershed Council that can help us to keep our lawns green and our lake clean:

· Put you lawn to work for you!

Grass clippings are the ideal food source, providing essential nutrients by releasing them slowly over time. Glass clippings, mulched leaves and compost also provide organic matter, which keeps soils form compacting.

· Check yard and garden product labels.

If you decide to use commercial fertilizers, always choose a low-phosphorus fertilizer (indicated by the middle number of the three number series on the bag, such as 34-3-4). Why? Most soils in this area are already high in phosphorus.

· Spread lightly

Most manufacturer’s guidelines are excessive for this area. One application of low phosphorus fertilizer in the fall is adequate for most lawns.

· Make a clean sweep

Fertilizer can be an “asset” to your lawn, but it becomes a “pollutant” if it reaches our water ways. Keep fertilizers out of storm drains and ditches. Use a broom to clean up spills on sidewalks and driveways.

· Get you soil tested

Learn what your lawn and garden need for optimum health and growth. Testing services are provided at a low cost through your county MSU Extension Agent. It’s easy, and agents provide individual recommendations based on your soil test results.

· Shoreline Erosion

In terms of erosion control along the lake’s edge, seawalls, rip-rap, and natural vegetation are three popular forms of shoreline design. Seawalls are the most aggressive form for stopping erosion and are not necessary for the majority of lakeshore sites. Only where erosion is severe, or where the wave action is very strong should a seawall be considered and even then it should be thought of as the last available option. Seawalls dramatically change the natural shoreline by removing natural vegetation, natural habitat, and can increase erosion on neighboring properties.

Rip-rap provides good protection from the impact of waves and ice while still providing habitat, shelter, and substrate for aquatic species. It has less adverse affects on the shoreline than a seawall. Rip-rap can be combined with natural vegetation to further protect the health of the lake.

Natural vegetation, alone or combined with rip-rap, is the most ideal form of shoreline design because it provides the following benefits:

1) low cost and lower long-term maintenance cost than traditional methods;

2) low maintenance of live plants after they are established;

3) environmental benefits of wildlife habitat, water quality improvement and aesthetics;

4) improved strength over time as root systems develop and increase structural stability;

5) compatibility with environmentally sensitive sites or sites with limited access.

(source: University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension)

Following are links to more detailed information on the causes of shoreline erosion and methods to control it. The emphasis is on natural methods of control, which are called soft engineering or bioengineering.

Links section:

Best Management Practices for Soft Engineering of Shorelines - An online manual that gives an overview and case studies of soft engineering. It looks at river and lake shorelines as well as outlines the cost of different control methods.

Lakescaping for Wildlife and Water Quality – An excellent resource manual for any lake improvement project that can be ordered from the State of Minnesota. Contains in-dept diagrams and instruction on creating a shoreline that works for the homeowner, for wildlife, and for water quality.

Slope Stabilization and Erosion Control Using Vegetation – A very comprehensive online guide to the techniques and plant types of bioengineering. Written for landowners of Puget Sound in Washington State but it can easily be applied to the local setting.

Understanding, Living With, and Controlling Shoreline Erosion – A manual produced by the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council that explains in plain english the causes and the remedies for shoreline erosion.

http://www.watershedcouncil.org/shore.html

Vegetation Management on Coastal Slopes – A comprehensive online guide on the important role of existing shoreline vegetation. Written for landowners of Puget Sound in Washington State but it can easily be applied to the local setting.

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/pubs/93-31/intro.html

· Aquatic Buffer Strips

What is an Aquatic Buffer?

A buffer zone is a vegetated area adjacent to the shoreline that provides the following benefits:

Significantly reduces shoreline erosion due to extensive, stabilizing root systems.
Traps fertilizers, lawn chemicals and pet waste from lawn runoff.
Discourages nuisance animals, such as Canada geese, that thrive on manicured lawns. Lawns provide an ideal food source of new green growth for the geese. Geese droppings are not only a nuisance to the homeowner, but can also contribute to E. coli problems in the lake. Geese will usually not cross a natural buffer zone area to get to a lawn.
Provides habitat that is used for nesting, feeding, brood rearing, perching, sunning and travel for wildlife.

Depending on the particulars of a lake site, a buffer zone is an area that may extend 25 to 100 feet from the water’s edge onto the land and 25 to 50 feet into the lake. For maximum effectiveness, the zone should include at least 50% of the shoreline, although 75% would be more beneficial to the homeowner and lake water quality.

For examples, specifics of design, and plant lists please contact the Township Environmental Department or order a copy of this manual:

Lakescaping for Wildlife and Water Quality - An excellent resource manual for any lake improvement project that can be ordered from the State of Minnesota. Contains in-dept diagrams and instruction on creating a shoreline that works for the homeowner, for wildlife, and for water quality.

· Dishwater Detergents

Here is some useful information from the Huron River Watershed Council on keeping our dishes clean and our lake clean.

Thought phosphorus was banned in cleaning agents? Think again.

The Michigan Cleaning Agents Act stipulates that laundry detergents may not contain more than 0.5% phosphorus by weight. For all other household cleaning agents, the limit is 8.7%. Dishwater detergents are surprisingly high in phosphates, with an average content of 5.84% phosphorus by weight.

If you use a dishwasher, you may unwittingly be contributing to water pollution.

The average household uses 36 pounds of dishwasher detergent each year, releasing 2 pounds of phosphorus into groundwater supplies (via septic systems) or into wastewater treatment facilities (which have to remove the phosphorus to permitted levels, often at great expense). Remember, 2 pounds of untreated phosphorus will stimulate 1,000 pounds of algae. Multiply that by the estimated 150,000 kitchens in the Huron Watershed and you have a real recipe for disaster, which also means you have real potential for improvement.

Check the labels on the cleaning products you purchase for phosphorus levels. Select dishwater detergents that are low in phosphorus. Phosphorus content ranges from 0% (Seventh Generation powder detergent) to 8.7% (Palmolive Triple Action Tabs), the maximum allowable by law. If the package doesn’t tell you the phosphorus content, be wary.