2008 News Items

Camp Torenta looking for canoes
Camp Torenta, which is jointly operated by the YMCA and the Cadillac Schools, operates day and weekly camp sessions for youth during the summer. Increasing interest in its canoeing program has created a demand for canoes. If you have a canoe to sell or donate that is in good condition, contact the YMCA at 231-775-3369.

Weeder’s Digest offers relief from invasive aquatic weeds.
This website, www.weedersdigest.com, offers several pages of information about products such as weed rakes, underwater weed cutters, and devices for removing muck and algae. In addition it presents ideas for lakeshore property owners on the best ecological practices. To contact them directly go to Info@WeedersDigest.com or call 763-551-1441.

Barley straw? A solution for Lake Mitchell
Ponds and lagoons in waste water treatment plants often use barley straw to reduce the amount of suspended solids in their ponds. Although the process is not fully understood, it occurs as the barley decomposes and releases chemicals This process does not remove pond scum, sludge mats, or duckweed. To use barley, approximately 300 hundred pounds of barley per acre, are tied into sausage booms which then are floated in the effected water. The barely must be replaced every six to eight weeks. Mackinaw City is using barley in its waste water ponds. The algae and weed problems found in Lake Mitchell’s coves would not likely be solved by the use of barley straw.

Problems with Canada geese fouling your lawn?
Every year lakeshore property owners have trouble with flocks of Canada geese coming ashore to defecate on their lawns. If this is a persistent problem these geese can be relocated. The City of Cadillac has done this in recent years. An officer of the Lake Mitchell Association needs to procure and fill out an application from the Wildlife Division of the DNR if there is a consensus of lakeshore owners who agree to remove the geese. The application must be received by June 1, after which a permit may be issued by the DNR for goose removal. After receiving a permit the Lake Assoc. conducts the goose roundup with DNR assistance. The DNR will provide the trap & crates for transporting the birds. The Lake Mitchell Association provides 2 or 3 boats and people to handle the geese with DNR training and a truck &/or trailer & driver to haul the birds to the release site. For the project to go forward, those property owners in the area where the geese are concentrated must approve the relocation of geese and will be expected to provide the vehicles and needed manpower. The Goose roundup will occur during the last two weeks of June when the geese are molting and are unable to fly. If you would like to initiate a removal of geese, contact info@lakemitchell.com.

Phragmites invade Lake Mitchell shorelines
Phragmites, an invasive plant, also known as the common reed is being seen in the Lake Mitchell area. This wetland grass grows from six to fifteen feet tall. The plant grows in dense stands and crowds out other beneficial native wetland vegetation. Phragmites grows along shorelines, roadside ditches, and other low wet areas. The plant spreads by fragmentation and its extensive root system makes it difficult to control. Phragmites has flat green leaves that alternate along the stem and a distinctive purple-brown seed head with plumes that appears in late July. Phragmites can be controlled using herbicide treatments followed cutting or mowing. There is currently no biological control of phragmites.

Lake Mitchell is bear country.
The "Bear Crossing" signs that are seen along M-115 and M-55 near our lake were put up last summer as a result of bear/car collisions which resulted in eleven bears being killed in this area in the last five years. This is the first area in the state to have "Bear Crossing" signs because of a collaboration between the MDNR & MDOT for the safety of notorists as well as the bears. The nutrient rich wetland complexes that include the Mitchell swamp & the watersheds that connect Lks. Mitchell & Cadillac is excellent bear habitat. The abundance of skunk cabbage that appears early in spring provides necessary feed for bears coming out of hibernation. This core bear reproduction area, provides home territories for sow bears to rear their young, & target areas for male bears during breeding season. This critical habitat which sits next to the urban area of Cadillac & our congested lakeshore properties, makes for many bear/human encounters. Especially, when 2 major highways intersect with busy Bear travel corridors!