With winter temperatures undergoing a roller coaster ride in January and February, a record number of days above freezing have caused ice cover on Glen Lake to be minimal at best. For example, ice covers Big Glen most years in the third week in January and comes off the lake in late March or early April.
This year, Big Glen did not freeze over completely until February 5th (a recent record). Then just ten days later, a big wind event broke up the just formed ice on more than half the lake. Open water coupled with the remaining fragile ice resulted in a rare cancellation of Glen Arbor’s annual perch fishing contest this past weekend.
The GLA water level team has ice cover and break up at the top of its focus this time of year. The goal each winter is to draw down the lake to the lowest legal level. The purpose of this is to reduce shoreline damage from free floating and wind driven ice.
High wind can push floating ice across open water, impacting the windward shore causing erosion and shoreline damage. Low lake levels help minimize this damage by allowing the ice to collide with the near shore bottomlands instead of shorelines. Natural shorelines with healthy greenbelts provide the added benefit of buffering shores from both ice and wave damage.
Guardian Tips for Managing Ice: Natural Shorelines and Bioengineering = Shoreline Resiliency
So what can you do to be ready for nature’s annual ice break up in the months of February and March? The GLA recommends that you maintain your healthy greenbelt or start one. And for shores that receive strong wind and waves, consider installing bioengineering.
Prevent shore damage, protect the water and save money. Not sure what you need? compare:
Bioengineering (Lower-Energy) (michigan.gov) and
Biotechnical Erosion Control (Higher-Energy) (kalcounty.com)
Check out a High Energy sample plan and learn more, visit Bioengineering-High-Energy-Shoreline-Protection (michigan.gov)
Still have questions? We can help! Email us at contact@glenlakeassociation.org. As always, we are happy to guide you and offer onsite consultations to assist.
