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Muskegon Lake/White Lake Water Quality Project
Muskegon County,
MI
Grantee:
Muskegon County Soil Conservation District
Basin Program Funds:
$103,868
Non-federal Funds:
$75,473
Project Duration:
10/1992
-
09/1995
Status:
complete
Problem Statement
Sediment with attached contaminants (pesticides and nutrients), dissolved phosphorus
and nitrogen, streambank erosion, excessive flows and groundwater contamination
are the major concerns affecting water quality in Muskegon Lake and White Lake.
These sources of nonpoint pollution are causing algae blooms, accelerated weed
growth and reduced fish habitat. It is estimated that 95% to 98% of the sediment
and nutrients entering Muskegon and White Lake come for the watershed basin.
Background
The Muskegon Lake/White Lake Water Quality Project builds on the advancements
made in the PY 1993 White Lake Water Quality Program and expands the scope
of the project to include Muskegon Lake, also an Area of Concern (AOC). For
reporting purposes the expenditure information and the results information
have been combined. Muskegon Lake and White Lake were designated an AOC by
the International Joint Commission (IJC) due to impaired uses. The goal of
the project is twofold: a) to prevent further pollution to ground and surface
water resources by reducing sediment with attached contaminants and nutrients;
and b) to prevent further degradation of Muskegon Lake and White Lake water
resources by providing information, education materials and opportunities
to watershed residents.
According to the Michigan Resource Information System (MIRIS)
data for the White River-White Lake Watershed, there are approximately 80,000
acres of cropland in the basin. Using the average percentage of cropland needing
treatment for the three counties, it is estimated that 50.5% or 40,400 acres
of the White River cropland acreage needs conservation treatment to reduce soil
erosion to tolerable limits. This project will focus on an estimated 7,500 acres
of cropland in the immediate watershed surrounding these lakes that need some
sort of conservation treatment. The treatment may vary from gully erosion treatment
to implementing a conservation tillage system or rotation to reduce sheet, rill
and ephemeral erosion. One-on-one pollution prevention assistance will be provided
to 30 agricultural producers in the target area. The implementation of Best
Management Practices (BMP) will reduce present soil loss by an estimated 10,000
tons during each year of the project. The installation of two sediment basins
over the next two years on eroding tributaries will be coordinated with local,
state and federal units of government, private landowners and other interested
parties.
Results
An average of 18-20 farms have implemented BMPs in each of the three years of
the project. A list of the BMPs and other project accomplishments follows.
- As of August 1995, 106 soil samples have been pulled on seven farms totaling
1,683 acres. Results and recommendations have been sent to the landowners.
The savings in nutrients are: nitrogen—8,600 lbs., phosphorus—3,366
lbs.; and potassium—7,100 lbs.
- A total of 4,100 feet of grass waterway has been installed on two farms,
saving 90 tons of soil.
- Four farms are practicing Integrated Crop Management (ICM) on 273 acres.
ICM is a farm management practice used to manage nutrients and pests in
an economic and beneficial manner. Practices include sprayer calibration
pest scouting, fertility management, and record keeping. Six sprayer calibrations
have been performed, and with the other practices have saved an estimated
1,638 lbs. of pesticide.
- Two manure management systems utilizing composting have been developed
and are being implemented. The development and implementation are a result
of a grant from the Michigan Integrated Food and Farming System (MIFFS)
Collaboration, funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Main sponsors are
the Michigan Agricultural Stewardship Association (MASA) and MSU-Extension.
The Muskegon County Soil Conservation District received the grant with Greg
Mund, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resource Conservation Service,
acting as project coordinator
- Conservation tillage has been used on 1,700 acres saving an estimated
5,793 tons of soil.
- Cover crops totaling 960 acres have been planted saving an estimated 1,920
tons of soil.
- One rock chute structures has been installed saving 25 tons of soil.
- Two sediment basins have been installed, keeping approximately 1,800 tons
of sediment from entering White Lake.
- One gully treatment/restoration project, utilizing the bioengineering
approach, is being designed for the Montague drain.
In total, implemented BMPs have impacted 4,616 acres, saving
an estimated 9,628 tons of soil in the three years during which this program
has been active.
Information and education efforts continue to raise the awareness
of urban and rural residents surrounding White Lake and Muskegon Lake regarding
nonpoint source pollution problems:
- In partnership with a number of other groups, four public meetings have
been held on lawn fertility, management, stream and shoreline landscaping,
and water quality issues. Approximately 268 people have attended these
meetings. Seven other presentations were given on the project to the Public
Advisory Councils (PACs) attending the Great Lakes Commission semi-annual
meeting in Milwaukee, the Citizens' Conference in Port Huron, at a meeting
at Wayne State University, and in two presentations to local officials.
- 350 storm drains have been stenciled within the Muskegon city limits.
Stenciling was done by high school students (40) and neighborhood association
members (6).
- 36 news articles have been published in local newsletters and papers
between November 1993 and August 1995.
- Staff support has been provided to the Muskegon and White Lake PACs.
Recent updates of the 1987 Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) for both Muskegon
and White Lake have been completed. Additional grants have been obtained
to help the PACs achieve their objectives.
- In conjunction with the Muskegon and White Lake Public Advisory Councils,
a "Lake Watch" program has been established. Interested volunteer citizens
will monitor four water quality parameters.
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