Invasive Species

An ad-hoc committee established in 2012. HorzAquticHitch.pg

MISSION: Prevent the establishment and/or minimize the spread of invasive species in Ann Lake and related shorelines through observation, identification and eradication.

    • Accomplish as much as possible through communication aimed at the mobilization and education of our riparian community
    • Develop an expert referral network to which to submit suspicious biologic samples.
    • Establish/maintain an observation network of volunteers from within our membership.
  • Establish a protocol for presenting suspicious sightings upward from our network, organizationally through our committee to the board.
  • Establish/maintain working relationships with other local lake associations and private/public environmental organizations to enhance our efforts; streamlining the development of educational aids and the reporting accuracy of suspicious observations.

Invasive Plant Mapping

Each summer, a team goes out on the lake and spends the day looking for aquatic invasive plants. We chart the data found each year (reports following). This allows us to compare what we find, year over year, and to ensure that Ann Lake is free of any aquatic invasive plant. Here is a video of the team in 2016.

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Committee Reports & Articles:

Professional Lake Management (PLM) Reports:

Invasive  shoreline plants found in Michigan:

  • Phragmites  – an aquatic tall, perennial wetland grass that can grow to 15 feet in height. Typically grows in coastal and interior wetlands, lake margins, roadside ditches, and other low, wet areas.
  • Coltsfoot – an aggressive shore plant, alien, and invasive plant currently observed only on Glen Lake’s eastern shore. Picture, Leaves.
  • Purple Loosestrife – an invasive wetland plant that is beautiful, but dangerous. Imported for ornamental and medicinal uses, it poses a serious threat to wetlands because of its prolific reproduction.
  • Invasive Knotweed – Two non-native invasive plants that have been gaining a foothold in recent years in Northern Michigan are Japanese Knotweed and Giant Knotweed. Knotweeds grow best in full sun and can be found among streams and river banks, wetlands, and woodland edges.

Invasive  aquatic plants and animals found in Michigan:

Ann Lake does NOT have any of these except for zebra mussels. 

Web Links: 

Lake Ann, Michigan