Anyone in Otsego County who enjoys boating, fishing, swimming or being near water understands the importance of Otsego Lake. While it’s a valuable economic and recreation resource for the region, Otsego Lake’s water quality has been impacted through the years by a variety of sources.

Partners are currently working to better understand these problems and take action where possible through the development of a watershed management plan and more effective outreach.

Watershed Planning

Watershed planning is an approach used to conduct field inventories, identify problems and work with key stakeholders to develop solutions that are acceptable for the local community. The Watershed Management Plan then serves as the blueprint for completing future projects.

The Otsego Lake Association has partnered with Huron Pines, agency personnel, scientific experts, and local landowners to improve the quality of the lake and surrounding watershed. Learn more about the area’s valuable resources and the ongoing efforts to preserve them by review the Otsego Lake Homeowner's Guide.

Otsego Lake Homeowner's Guide- September 2008

Other Documents:

Road end survey forms

Shoreline inventory report

Landowner survey results

Shoreline Study
Project partners completed one part of the watershed project–a study of the shoreline greenbelt area surrounding the lake. Staff from Huron Pines finished the shoreline study and presented the results to project committee members. The shoreline study was used to document the status of waterfront greenbelts and identify erosion areas. To see the results, view the Shoreline Report.

Water Quality Testing
The Otsego Lake Association asked the Great Lakes Environmental Center (GLEC) to perform a water quality study.  The study focused on surface water and suspended sediment, and samples were taken from 6 different locations and analyzed. 

The surface water samples were tested for dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, total phosphorus, and nitrate/nitrite-nitrogen. The sediment samples were tested for percent solids, total phosphorus, PNA organic compounds, PCB’s, DHA acid, and twelve different metals.  

To view the results, click here.

Protecting Water Quality with Greenbelts

Greenbelts, strips of vegetation along waterways, are the best line of defense for reducing polluted runoff from the land, providing a transition zone between land and water, and minimizing erosion risks. These shoreline greenbelts include a mix of vegetation which have deeper root systems than turf grass. The deeper roots help hold soil together and filter pollutants by taking up excessive nutrients.

As development increases along lakes and streams, one of the common results is a loss of these natural greenbelt areas and a hardening of the shoreline. The excessive nutrient loading and sedimentation that results from such a change can lead to algae blooms, more weeds, and the premature aging (filling in) of lakes.

While much of the shoreline of Otsego Lake has lost its natural buffering capacity, the good news is that there is a potential to improve water quality by moving in the other direction–encouraging the growth of shoreline greenbelts.

Otsego Lake Greenbelt Workshop- Summer 2008
The Otsego Lake Association and Huron Pines AmeriCorps hosted an all-day workshop on greenbelts in an effort to promote better water quality.

The first half of the workshop consisted of two lectures. The first was given by Patricia Osburn from the Otsego Conservation District. She stressed the importance of soil conservation and how to obtain the proper permits for shoreline work. Next, Huron Pines staff Ecologist Jennifer Muladore gave an overview of greenbelts and then discussed native Michigan plants.

With this knowledge, the group then headed to the west side of Otsego Lake to plant an actual greenbelt. Participants planted a variety of plants and shrubs to create an ecological and aesthetically pleasing way to improve the water quality on Otsego Lake.

Resources
Learn more about Greenbelt Structure and Design. Interested in planting a greenbelt on your property? For step-by-step instructions and important tips, visit the How-to Kit.

Also, the Otsego Conservation District has a number of helpful resources as well as an annual spring native plant sale. The Conservation District can be reached at (989) 732-6526.

Project Supporters

Funding for the shoreline study and the ongoing Otsego Lake watershed protection effort has been provided by a generous grant from the Otsego County Community Foundation (OCCF). The foundation’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of the area now and for future generations by building community endowment, awarding grants to address community needs and convening leadership on key issues.

Funding for the Greenbelt Workshop was provided by the Otsego Lake Lake Association.

For more information about projects on Otesgo Lake, contact Lisha Ramsdell.