Ann Lake Regulations
While there are many rules and regulations that all residents and visitors to Ann Lake must follow, there are several that we have asked renters to inform there guests about.
With the recent changes allowing fireworks in the state of Michigan, Almira Township has adopted an ordinance limiting their use. This is especially significant on the waterfront since fireworks residue often lands in the lake. Or worse, can land on boats and property nearby causing damage. The fireworks ordinance can be found on the Almira Township website under Zoning. In summary:
- No person shall ignite, discharge, or use consumer fireworks within Almira Township between the hours of 1 a.m. and 8 a.m. on the day preceding, the day of, and the day after a national holiday.
- No person shall ignite, discharge, or use consumer fireworks within Almira Township on any day that is not the day preceding, the day of, or the day after a national holiday.
Zebra mussels are the only invasive plant or animal found in Ann Lake. Invasive plants and animals find their ways into the lakes and rivers by essentially “hitching” a ride on boats and personal water crafts. We are encouraging renters to inform their guests that only “clean” boats should be launched at Ann Lake. Ann Lake does NOT have a boat cleaning facility, so owners need to ensure this is done BEFORE their guests arrive. Please help us keep it that way by following these steps:
- Inspect & Remove aquatic plants, animals and mud from your watercraft, trailer, and equipment.
- Drain all water from your equipment (watercraft, motor(s), bilges, transom wells, live wells, etc.)
- Dispose of unwanted bait and fish in the trash, not in the water.
- Wash your watercraft and equipment with hot water or a pressure washer.
- Dry (alternative to wash) your watercraft and equipment thoroughly (in the sun) for 10 days.
Personal water craft have a jet drive which requires some extra precautions to avoid spreading harmful aquatic species. Please refer the following information created by Ontario’s Invading Species Awareness Network to assist in cleaning a personal water craft.
Michigan Boating Rules can be found at http://www.boat-ed.com/michigan/handbook/ and a list of boating rules can be found under Boating Rules. But there are several, in particular, we would like to ensure renters are aware of:
- High Speed boating is only allowed between 11:00 am and 7:30 pm. This includes wakeboarding, skiing, tubing and personal water craft (PWC).
- Slow, No Wake Speed is required at water depths of 3 feet or less.
- An Improper Distance Violation is not maintaining a proper distance while operating a vessel or towing a person. When operating at greater than “slow, no wake speed”, the vessel or persons being towed must not be within 100 feet of any moored or anchored vessel, any dock or raft, any person in the water, or the shoreline.
- Dumping refuse, waste, plastics or oil into any State waters is illegal.
- Boats travel in a counter clockwise direction around the lake.
- Loons are a common sight on Ann Lake. Do not operate a watercraft within 300 feet of a loon.
- During nesting season, remain outside of the Loon Nesting Buoys.
In past years, a boating flyer was created and distributed to renters which explained most of these boating regulations. Recently, a similar summary flyer was created which summarized all of the rules described in this section. We are hoping rental locations can prominently display these flyers within their units.