WATERSHED NEWS
Stay connected and updated with the Glen Lake Association by following articles posted here throughout the year.
EWM Treatment Begins: How You Can Help This Summer
Buoys and flags mark the treatment sitesThe Glen Lake Association, in collaboration with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, has begun treating three colonies of invasive Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) discovered last year in the deep basin of Little...
The Crystal River to Briefly Change Color in July
Parasitic sea lampreyYou may notice a fluorescent green or bright pink color in the Crystal River for one day in mid-July. Not to worry—this is simply tracer dye placed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) as part of their ongoing efforts to control the...
Spring Fish Stocking in Glen Lake
Once again this spring, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) stocked Glen Lake with rainbow trout and lake trout. They poured 20,699 rainbow trout and 14,900 lake trout into the lake at the DNR boat launch on Little Glen. The Michigan DNR manages Glen...
Meet the Boat Wash Staff
Photo from left to right: Jamie Blondia, Kate Gille, Elsa Miller, Sallyanne Morris, and Brian StittWe are pleased to have an amazing group of folks at the Boat Wash who are dedicated to protecting the watershed from invasive species. Earlier this spring, we hired...
Is That Yellow Slime Harmful? It’s Just Tree Pollen!
That yellow stuff that washes ashore in May and June is primarily tree pollen, specifically from coniferous trees like pines. These trees release large amounts of pollen during their pollination season, which is typically in the spring. The pollen is carried by wind...
Stop the Spread: Your Guide to Safely Removing Garlic Mustard
Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is an invasive biennial plant in the mustard family, known for its aggressive spread and detrimental impact on native ecosystems. Originally introduced from Europe for culinary and medicinal purposes, it has since become a...
Keep the Splash, Skip the Rash: Swimmer’s Itch Prevention & Treatment
Cercarial dermatitis, also known as “swimmer’s itch,” is an uncomfortable rash caused by microscopic parasites found in freshwater lakes. As we enter the swim season, it is important to be aware of how to avoid this pesky parasite. Prevention is key! You can greatly...
Message from Kate Gille: April 2025
April 2025 They say that “no one steps in the same river twice.” Since bringing my life full circle and returning to Glen Arbor as the GLA’s first Executive Director, I’ve reflected on this quote often. This watershed is a truly magical place where things are always...
Our 2024 Annual Report is Here!
As you read our latest annual report, we hope you are encouraged and proud of the good work that’s being done to monitor and test water quality, prevent and eradicate invasive species, research and apply new technologies, and educate the Glen Lake community through...
Important Announcement: Koi Bowfishing Coming in May
The GLA embraces a policy of “early detection, early response” when it comes to invasive species—both plant and animal invasives alike. This includes removing Japanese koi fish from the watershed. As part of a three-year plan which began in 2024, the GLA will once...
GLA Email Address Updates
We’ve made some updates to improve our email system. To make sure our emails always land in your inbox, we kindly ask that you add these addresses to your contacts. You can reach us by emailing: (NEW) Kate Gille, Executive Director: kate@glenlakeassociation.org...
Work on the Water: We are Hiring a Boat Wash Senior Manager
The boat wash on Little Glen is our first line of defense against halting the introduction of harmful aquatic invasive species into Glen Lake and other area water bodies, including Fisher Lake and the Crystal River. Join our team and play a vital role in this work as...
Reminder: Leave your Leaves!
Reminder - leave the leaves! Don’t rush to tidy your yard - native pollinators are still hibernating in last season’s leaves and stems. According to Michigan State University Extension, it’s best to wait until temperatures are consistently above 50°F. Your yard is...
GLA Tends the Rare Michigan Monkeyflower
Did you know that the Glen Lake Association helps to preserve and protect the rarest flower in Michigan? Michigan monkeyflower (MMF) only grows in Michigan and is on the federal endangered species list. This beautiful little yellow flower is extremely rare, with only...
Meet the Birds of Our Watershed: Common Loon
Birds have been referred to as “bellwethers of watershed health” because they respond to basic changes in landscape and habitat conditions.Roger Tory Peterson, an American naturalist who published many books about birds and garnered multiple awards in his field, once...
Meet the Birds of our Watershed: Bald Eagle
Birds have been referred to as “bellwethers of watershed health” because they respond to basic changes in landscape and habitat conditions.Roger Tory Peterson, an American naturalist who published many books about birds and garnered multiple awards in his field, once...
Joe Blondia: Phosphorous Levels in Glen Lake
The ice has melted on Glen Lake and spring turnover is in process. This is an important time of year because when the ice melts, the water becomes 4 degrees Celsius (39.2 degrees Fahrenheit) sinks, and turns the water column over, which includes turning over the...
Joe Blondia: Our Lakes Turn Over Twice per Year
Just like animals come out of hibernation in the spring, lakes come out of hibernation also. There has been ice on our lakes all winter, so sunlight has not been able to get through the ice to let plants photosynthesize and produce oxygen, and waves aren't stirring up...
Joe Blondia: Wetlands are Nature’s Filtration System!
Wetlands are nature’s filtration system! They are also a complete ecosystem. They filter snow and rainfall and trap pollutants to ensure only clean water enters nearby lakes and rivers. They are also a critical habitat for a variety of wildlife and plants, many of...
We’re Hiring! Apply Today for Senior Boat Wash Manager & Boat Wash Operator
We're Hiring! We are seeking applicants for two seasonal positions – a Boat Wash Senior Manager and multiple Boat Wash Operators. The boat wash on Little Glen is our first line of defense against halting the potential introduction of harmful aquatic invasive species...
Joe Blondia: Algal Blooms are a Natural Part of Spring
There is lots happening in the spring in the Glen Lake/Crystal River Watershed. Birds are migrating, animals are coming out of hibernation, and diatoms (also known as algae) are growing in our water. You may see what looks like “clumps” floating in the water. These...
Meet the Birds of our Watershed: Bonaparte’s Gull
Birds have been called “bellwethers of watershed health.” Because they respond to basic changes in landscape and habitat conditions, birds can be excellent indicators of watershed health. Roger Tory Peterson, an American naturalist who published many books about birds...
Meet the Birds of our Watershed: Trumpeter Swan
Birds have been called “bellwethers of watershed health.” Because they respond to basic changes in landscape and habitat conditions, birds can be excellent indicators of watershed health. Roger Tory Peterson, an American naturalist who published many books about birds...
Leelanau Ticker: Meet the New Steward of Glen Lake
Our thanks to Craig Manning and the Leelanau Ticker for sharing Kate Gille’s story from Sleeping Bear Dunes park ranger to GLA’s first executive director. Her journey is truly inspiring. Learn more about Kate's vision and commitment by clicking the link below.
Big News: Meet Our First Executive Director!
The Glen Lake Association Board of Directors is thrilled to introduce Kate Gille as the organization’s first executive director. The executive search task force conducted a rigorous process to find a superb candidate, and our board unanimously selected Kate for the...
Joe Blondia: GLA Monitors Water Salinity Levels from Melting Snow Mixed with Salt & Sand
Have you ever wondered where all that road salt and sand go when the snow melts? In order to keep our roads safe, the road commission has to use sand and salt to de-ice the bridges. The salt mixes with snow and eventually drips into the Crystal River, which could...
Joe Blondia: Snow and Rain Feed our Aquifers and Help Keep Water Levels Up
As winter loosens its grip, the melting snow feeds into our watershed. We love a good snowy winter and a wet spring - the water feeds our aquifers and helps keep lake and river levels up in the drier months of the summer. Watch this video to see the transition from...
GLA Uses Drone Tech to Advance Aquatic Invasive Species Detection
In 2024, the GLA’s use of aerial drone-guided underwater Remote Operating Vehicles (ROVs) revolutionized our surveillance program and allowed aquatic vegetation mapping of the bottomlands of the Glen Lake/Crystal River (GL/CR) Watershed for the first time. While the...
Leadership Update: Executive Director Coming Soon!
The Glen Lake Association Board of Directors is thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of its Executive Director search. This extensive process began last September and was led by a search committee composed of board members Jennifer St. Julian (chair), Ron...
Meet the Birds of our Watershed: Sandhill Crane
Birds have been called “bellwethers of watershed health.” Because they respond to basic changes in landscape and habitat conditions, birds can be excellent indicators of watershed health. Roger Tory Peterson, an American naturalist who published many books about birds...
Meet the Birds of our Watershed: Green Heron
Birds have been called “bellwethers of watershed health.” Because they respond to basic changes in landscape and habitat conditions, birds can be excellent indicators of watershed health. Roger Tory Peterson, an American naturalist who published many books about birds...
Calling All Photographers!
Calling all photographers – please share your photos of the Glen Lake/Crystal River Watershed! We would like to build our media library, and one way you can make a difference and support the GLA is by sharing photos. We use our media library in our communications such...
It’s Not Too Late to Renew Your Membership!
Membership renewal was due by January 31st for the 2025 season, and over 400 of our members have already done so. If you're not among them, it's not too late! We encourage you to renew or join now by simply clicking on the following link: If you prefer not to pay by...
Winter Water Level Back at Target
Ample precipitation brought the lake level up from the record low in October to our target level this month. The last time the Glen Lakes were in the low range we saw in October was in 2012. The pink area in the graph below is the target zone in which we try to...
Volunteer Spotlight: Grateful for GLA Member Mike Litch
The Glen Lake Association (GLA) has a long history of being a volunteer-driven organization. Volunteers serve on committees, help with water sampling efforts, monitor water levels, make dam adjustments, submit photographs for social media, serve as board members, and...
Water Quality Volunteers Needed!
To help “pass the torch,” long-time volunteers Mike Litch and Bill Meserve are trying to find another GLA member to take over the “Lead Volunteer” duties for water quality parameter sampling for the MiCorps Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP). The Michigan...
45,000 Lake Trout Recently Stocked in Glen Lake
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) stocked 45,000 lake trout in Glen Lake in October 2024. This annual event aims to support the lake’s ecological balance and enhance recreational fishing opportunities. Lake trout, the largest of the freshwater char...
Septic Replacement Loan Program
Well-maintained, properly functioning septic systems are critical to the health of our watershed. Each year, hundreds of thousands of gallons of wastewater soak into the ground within the Glen Lake/Crystal River Watershed, where harmful chemicals and damaging...
Renew Your Membership by January 31st!
Dear GLA Friends and Members, Happy New Year! As 2025 kicks off, we wanted to take a moment and thank each one of you for your generous support of the Glen Lake Association last year. The organization accomplished so much in 2024, and none of it would’ve been...
Guardian Tip: Discover Glen Lake’s Biodiversity With iNaturalist
As we all know, the Glen Lake/Crystal River watershed is a haven of natural beauty and ecological significance. With its crystal-clear waters, forested slopes, and habitats for some of Michigan’s rarest plant species, this area is a treasure trove of biodiversity. The...
Volunteer Spotlight: Thankful for GLA Member Bill Meserve
Volunteering for the Glen Lake Association has been a family affair for Bill Meserve and his wife, Susanne, who are both past board members and volunteers extraordinaire. After Bill retired from aerospace engineering in 2003, Bill and Susanne moved to Glen Arbor and...
Meet our Interns: Part 3 – Fyn Luebke
Fyn is a junior at Traverse City West Senior High School. He has grown up enjoying Glen Lake at his family’s cottage on Big Glen. He enjoys repairing small motors and selling them, riding his Jet Ski in the summer and snow skiing in the winter. You may spot him doing...
Membership Renewal for 2025 Due January 31st
You may recall that in early 2024, all GLA memberships were synchronized on a calendar-year basis. Prior to 2024, memberships expired one year from the date a member signed up, resulting in individual memberships expiring and renewing continuously throughout the year....
Special Year End Message from GLA President, Stan Kryder
To the Members and Friends of the Glen Lake Association: Since I was a child, Glen Lake has always been the most special place to me. Our family discovered this magical lake in the 1950’s, and I still look forward to returning to it each year. Because of this, I want...
Guardian Tip: Bioengineered Shoreline Solutions
The loss of natural shorelines and streambanks is one of the top threats to water quality. Natural shorelines and streambanks protect the lakes and rivers from stormwater pollution, prevent soil erosion, and provide essential habitat for fish and wildlife. Wide...
Dive into Lake Learning: Take MSU’s Introduction to Lakes Online Course
Dive into the fascinating world of freshwater ecosystems with MSU’s Introduction to Lakes Online course, offered again this January! Introduction to Lakes Online is designed for anyone interested in inland lakes, including concerned residents, decision-makers, local...
Meet our Interns: Part 2 – Suha Augenstein
We are grateful for our eighth year with terrific summer interns that exuded enthusiasm, curiosity, and a willingness to help wherever we needed them. They assisted our staff on the water, under the water and in the lab, and they helped educate our community at the...
GLA Is Hiring: New Executive Director Position
We are pleased to announce we are hiring for our new Executive Director position! The ideal candidate will be a passionate advocate for environmental stewardship with a proven track record in non-profit management, fundraising, and community engagement. They will...
Sea Lamprey Update
In early June, a local area resident sighted an invasive parasitic sea lamprey swimming upstream from the Crystal River Dam. The dam is located just northwest of where Fisher Lake flows into the Crystal River. It is used to balance the water flow of the river with the...
Meet Our Interns: Part 1 – Sam Morawski
We are grateful for our eighth year with terrific summer interns that exuded enthusiasm, curiosity, and a willingness to help wherever we needed them. They assisted our staff on the water, under the water and in the lab, and they helped educate our community at the...
Guardian Tips for Fall: Yard & Pet Waste
Grass clippings, leaves, and animal waste all contain phosphorus. Follow these guidelines to keep excess nutrients from entering the lakes and rivers: Refrain from blowing debris into the water Never burn yard waste! Ashes and smoke particles concentrate nutrients...
Clint’s Recipe for Beer-Battered Perch
The GLA monthly creel report regularly shows that Glen Lake anglers’ most-caught fish is yellow perch. They are often caught in Little Glen or in the drop-offs around Big Glen. The best perch recipe starts with perch that you, your child, or your grandchild has caught...
Guardian Tip: Loss of Natural Shorelines and Stream Banks is the Number One Threat to Water Quality
Did you know that the loss of natural shorelines and stream banks is the number one threat to water quality? Fall is the perfect time to schedule a shoreline or streambank consultation with the Glen Lake Association. We will listen to your questions and concerns and...
Watershed Trivia: What do These Things Have in Common?
Watershed Trivia Question: What do pH, temperature, turbidity, electrical conductivity, phosphorus, chlorophyll a, and dissolved oxygen all have in common? Watershed Trivia Answer: These are all physical characteristics of Glen Lake, which are regularly monitored and...
It’s Not Styrofoam! Algal Blooms on Glen Lake
You may have noticed what appear to be large white objects floating in Little Glen Lake. This foam is a product of seasonal algal blooms that typically occur in August & September. The more we keep excess nutrients out of the lake, the fewer algal blooms and the...
Eurasian Watermilfoil Found Growing in Little Glen Lake
Back in September 2023, Glen Lake Association (GLA) Boat Wash Manager Victoria Velting found a few strands of Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) floating in the lake near the Day Forest Road boat launch. The discovery prompted the GLA to establish an EWM Task Force to...
Sustained Lack of Rain Causes Lake Level to Continue to Drop
Ongoing below average rainfall this summer has continued to cause both Glen Lake’s water level and Crystal River's flow rate to drop. We have had only three measurable rains since the first week of July. The last time the water level was this low in mid-September was...
SepticSmart Week 2024
This week, September 15-21, 2024, is designated SepticSmart Week for the state of Michigan because nearly 1.3 million septic systems across the state treat wastewater from homes and businesses. That's a significant part of Michigan's wastewater infrastructure. As an...
Attention Anglers! Keep Our Waters Great – Don’t Dump Your Bait
It seems like such an innocent thing to do: After a day of fishing, dump your leftover bait into the water before heading home. However, this seemingly harmless act is actually quite harmful. Bait dumping is one of the many ways invasive aquatic species and dangerous...
Thank you to Melissa Duke and David Tepoorten!
Thank you to Melissa Duke and David Tepoorten for opening their home on Little Glen to a breakfast gathering on August 24th! This was the GLA’s second official neighborhood gathering, where friends and neighbors had an opportunity to socialize and learn more about the...
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