NORTHERN MICHIGAN – Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council invites the public to join the conversation around harmful algal blooms (HABs) and golden-brown algae growth. In a free virtual presentation on January 12, 2022, from noon to one p.m. on Zoom, senior aquatic biologist Aaron Parker from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and Dr. Jan Stevenson from the Michigan State University Department of Integrative Biology will discuss how these types of algae grow and affect people’s use of Northern Michigan lakes.
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have been spotted in a few northern lakes. Parker will describe spatial patterns of cyanobacteria colonies—some of which can grow into harmful algal blooms on the water’s surface and produce toxins that can impact human and animal health—throughout the state. He’ll also cover the characteristics of water bodies where cyanobacteria grow and the dynamics of toxin production.
Mats of golden-brown algae have also been growing on the bottom of Northern Michigan lakes. Golden-brown algae isn’t harmful to human health, but its proliferation is causing concern for some residents. Dr. Stevenson will discuss the characteristics and potential causes of golden-brown algae growth.
“Algae may be small, but it’s a large part of aquatic ecosystems because it feeds the smallest animals,” said Caroline Keson, the Watershed Council’s monitoring programs coordinator. “Algae react very quickly to changes in nutrients that humans put into the water, which can fuel their overgrowth. We want to limit the nutrients from fertilizers, leaky septic systems, and other sources that can find their way into our lakes and feed algae.”
The talk will take place through the online platform Zoom. To register for this event and others in our Ice Breaker Winter Speaker Series, visit www.watershedcouncil.org/attend-an-event. Registration is required for the live events. Call the Watershed Council office at 231-347-1181 with any questions.
Ice Breaker sessions will be available at the Watershed Council YouTube channel, www.bit.ly/WatershedCouncilVid, shortly after each event.
February and March presentations are from noon to one p.m. on Zoom and include the following:
- Feb. 2, “Loons and avian botulism,” presented by Damon McCormick of Common Coast Research & Conservation. McCormick will discuss his long-term research on loons and avian botulism, which causes bird deaths from the botulinum toxin.
- Feb. 16, “Line 5 Great Lakes Tunnel update,” presented by Watershed Council staff member Jennifer McKay. Join McKay and learn the latest updates on Line 5 and where the Great Lakes Tunnel proposal stands today.
- Feb. 23, “Manoomin—the food that grows on the water,” presented by Roger LaBine from the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Cortney Collia. They’ll speak about their years working to preserve manoomin (wild rice) and Anishinaabe cultural practices surrounding its restoration, growth, and harvest in Northern Michigan.
- March 2, “LTBB restoring sturgeon,” presented by Kris Dey, hatchery manager at the Little Traverse Bay Bands (LTBB) of Odawa Indians Fisheries Enhancement Facility. Dey will speak on LTBB’s lake sturgeon restoration and work on the Burt Lake Watershed.
- March 16, “Rolling on the rivers,” presented by Brian Kozminski of True North Trout. Join Kozminski as he regales you with tales of enjoying peace and quiet on northern rivers. Expect a few fly-fishing tips from a master.
