Our Focus

12 Topics of Focus of BLPS and Its Members

The 12 topics presented below define the scope of interest of the BLPS. Click on any of them to learn more. Each of them offers opportunities for you to help improve the preservation of the natural features of the lake and its surroundings. Please use the Eyes On The Lake feature of this website to report your observations and actions taken. Doing so ensures that there may be follow-up on your observations and recognition of your actions that contribute to the BLPS Mission.

1. Property Self Assessment

2. Harmful Algae Blooms

This one is easy! Simply register as a Black Laker at the MI Shoreland Steward's website,, take a simple, multiple-choice self assessment oLake Stewardsf your property, read through some feedback ideas, and make a plan for any changes you may decide to make. Key to the assessment of your property is your shoreline, and there are many ideas for sustainable strengthening of your shoreline against erosion.

HABs begin with cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. This type of algae is capable of producing a toxic bloom that poses serious risk to the health of lake users, their pets, and wildlife.
While many of the contributors of HABs cannot be eliminated, there are some things that we, as property owners, can do. If the Black Lake community works together, we can turn the tides on Harmful Algae Blooms.

3. Swimmer's Itch

4. Common Merganser Broods

Swimmer's Itch has always been an issue on Black Lake. It used to be treated with chemicals that are now known to have many unintended consequences. In years leading up to 2019, the problem became worse. We studied the root causes with our partner, SI Solutions, LLC. To measure the impact of our actions, we need to know when and where cases emerge, and we continue to monitor the species and origin of parasites in the lake as well as their growing or shrinking prevalence.

We rely on our members to learn how to identify Common Merganser broods; the birds that hosts the parasite that causes the bulk of our swimmer's itch problem. Then, the bird sightings are reported to our partner, Swimmers Itch Solutions, LLC so they can trap the birds and relocate them to waters that don't contain the second species in the exchange in the lifecycle of the parasite - a certain kind of snail. The relocation clears the lake of the parasite in the following year.

5. Lake Level Management

6. Invasive Species

The common belief around our lake is that nature is the only determinant of our lake level. But our lake is dam controlled and there is more that the dam can do to improve upon their poor record of complying with circuit court orded lake levels for the winter and summer. Of particular concern is the spring period of heavy rains and rapid melting. You can help with citizen monitoring of lake level and head pond level at the dam to aid in our compliance efforts and you can help to spread the word about how the Alverno Dam can do a better job of reducing the periods of time that our shorelines are exposed to high water at times of high winds, and moving ice in the spring.

There are some great tools and information sources to make it really easy for all of us become aware of and able to identify invasive species that show up on our properties and places we visit and to reduce the risk of them entering the lake via boats and trailers (the primary means of spreading aquatic invasive species). Join the team and our partner, Huron Pines Conservancy, to keep a sharp lookout, make positive identification, spread the word, gain property owner approval for removal. Help to save the bio-diversity of our area by stopping the spread of invasive species!!

7. Healthy Septic Systems

8. Fertilizer Reduction

A healthy septic system is important for financial and sanitary reasons, but also for control of HABs and excess weed growth. The BLPS is offering the Fresh Start program to make it simpler to understand how their system works, who should inspect and pump the system, how often to do it, how to care for the drainage field, and what does and does not belong in the system. There are benefits for you and for the lake.

Anytime nutrients are brought into our watershed, there is the risk of unnatural levels of nutrients finding their way into our water cycle. When they enter the lake, they contribute to problems with HABs and excess weed growth in the same way that an unhealthy septic system can. All fertilizer that is applied is not going to be drawn in by root systems, but will travel down to the water table or flow over the ground and enter the lake. There are, however, ways to use the nitrogen cycle to our advantage; to have healthy plants and natural levels of weeds and algae in the lake to support a healthy ecosystem.

9. Living Shorelines

10. Water Quality Measurement

We have had our shorelines assessed by the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council many times over the years. Over and over, we have heard that our shorelines have been modified and show signs of erosion. Eroded soils carry phosphorous to the lake bottom where it accumulates and promotes weed growth and algae (including HABs). Wind driven waves, ice floes, and high lake levels have taken their toll. Many methods and plenty of money have been spent to restore and strengthen our shorelines. The best method is to engineer the shoreline to absorb energy (rather than deflect to your neighbors), hold on to soils with complex root structures and stone, beautify it with vegetation of varying heights and color, and improve the habitat value with native plantings.

The BLPS is expanding our focus on water quality measures; not only in various sections of the lake, but also in the tributaries. This program relies on "citizen science" as it would be far too costly to rely on contracted resources to do sample collection. The information gathered leads us to clues about expanding weed growth, HABs, fish habitat, and sustainability of the natural lake environment that we all enjoy.

11. Beach Captains

BLPS Beach Captains talk to their neighbors about issues that they perceive on the lake and present the BLPS as a place to become part of the solution. We would like everyone on the lake to understand what a great opportunity they have to help protect and preserve our lake.

12. Land Preservation

The BLPS aims to identify environmental assets like wetlands and special habitat features that offer free and natural treatment of water in our watershed. We work with our partner, the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council and others to interact with local government officials to make sure there are proper protections over them. They will also promote conservation easements and other protections on priority parcels with the help of our partners, The Little Traverse Conservancy and the Huron Pines Conservancy.

BLPS Members Preserve and Protect Black Lake

Most of the Black Lake Shoreline is private property. There is no government agency or non-profit group that is going to alter the impact that we, the vistors and property owners of the lake impose. It's up to all of us to decide to commit to a conservation oriented culture. To devote ourselves to keeping Black Lack natural and healthy. All lakes "age" following a natural cycle, but only we can prevent accelerated aging due to harmful behaviors and decisions.

In addition to the 12 Actions above, you can help evolve our culture of conservation in the following ways:

Post questions and opinions and be part of the conversation on Facebook
Providing financial support at the DONATIONS page of the website. This page allows you to contribute either to an individual Program or to the General Fund that is shared among the greatest needs of all of our Programs. Note that the BLPS diligently pursues grant money for matching funds for our projects.
Periodically visit the website to gain a deeper understanding of our Programs, to keep your membership current, to check on our calendar of events, and to learn of opportunities for volunteering
If you have an idea, would like to join our leadership team, or you'd just like to meet one on one or with a group of friends and neighbors with one or more of the BLPS Leaders, go to the CONTACT page and let us know how we can help you.

Consider Joining Our Leadership Team

The leadership team of the BLPS makes sure our activities are impactful and rewarding for members. The team ensures that we get the most that we can from the effort and financial resources offered by our members. You decide how much time to put into it and what you get out of it. Give back to our community by serving in our Leadership Team!

BLPS topics of interest