The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, with the help of several other local organizations, has put together a waterfront resource guide. Which can be found HERE.
Additionally there are many positive actions you can take as a resident to protect the quality of our lakes. Here are some basic suggestions:
Towel off vigorously after swimming and change into clean dry clothes. Avoid swimming at midday when the cercaria (the swimmer’s itch parasite) are most active, and avoid the areas exposed to prolonged onshore winds (the larvae drift near the surface and accumulate in a wind). Other precautions to take include swimming in deeper water where the snails are unlikely to occur, and avoiding feeding waterfowl and attracting them into your swimming area. Their presence will only exacerbate an existing problem. Rubbing on baby oil before swimming has helped in some cases.
No Wake sign on all ESLA waterways means that watercraft must maintain a 100-foot distance from the shoreline, docks, swimmers, swimming areas, fishing boats, sailboats, or moored vessels. Other rules that apply to watercraft:
You should call the Sheriff’s department in your county.
Antrim County 231-533-8627
Grand Traverse County 231-922-4500
Kalkaska County 231-258-8686
If you are interested in joining ESLA, please visit our Become a Member page. You may also contact the ESLA Membership Committee at info@elk-skegemog.org. ESLA membership is open to all interested parties.
A watershed is all the land that drains into a body of water such as a lake, river, stream, or wetland.
Call or text 1-800-292-7800, 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week. This is the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources hotline for reporting such incidents. You can also take a photo of the offender’s craft.