Shoreline Ecology

What you can do to help Lake Mitchell

Create a shoreline greenbelt

A greenbelt is a band of natural vegetation growing along a lake shoreline. Greenbelts slow surface runoff before it enters the water, allowing sediments, excess nutrients, and other pollutants to settle out. Uncontrolled sedimentation will alter the habitat of crayfish, mayfly larvae, and fish as well as increase phosphorous loads in the lake. Leaving a strip of natural vegetation between your lawn and the water’s edge is one of the best things you can do to maintain our lake’s water quality.

Keep nutrients from entering the lake

In addition to creating a greenbelt, adopt a lawn fertilization program that uses no phosphorus and purchase products that slowly release nitrogen.

If fertilizer is needed, apply it when the grass is actively growing.

Perforate lawn and seed as well as mulch exposed soil to prevent erosion.

Do not feed ducks or geese.

Test soils (contact MSU extension) to establish a plan for fertilization.

The problem with Seawalls

Standing on a seawall and watching the waves rebounding off, you note that the turbulence stirs up the water and bottom sediment. The US Fish and Wildlife Service notes that "Shallow waters provide nursery habitat for fry and young-of-the-year fish and habitat for a greater variety of animal fauna than for all other aquatic zones." In other words, the shallows of inland lakes are the most biologically productive areas. Seawalls, especially those with little or no rock riprap, create virtual "biological deserts." Natural materials are preferred where actively eroding shoreline justifies protective measures. Construction should follow the natural shoreline contours and minimize the use of steel, wood, or vinyl. Flat or corrugated material reflects almost all of a boat wake’s wave energy back into open water accentuating erosion. If a straight-sided seawall is in place, it should be faced with riprap. Rock riprap is generally more effective at dispersing wave energy and costs substantially less than wood or steel seawall. If rock riprap is used as a seawall, it should be placed over a geo textile material to keep soil from flowing through the seawall.

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.