Good Harbor Creek Water Advisory

From Scott Tucker, NPS yesterday:

The water quality advisory issued at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on August 22 for Good Harbor Creek has been lifted. Samples collected this morning tested below the daily limit and advisory signs are currently being removed.

Light Up the Lake and Coffee with the Board

Our end of season celebration, Light Up the Lake, is scheduled for this Saturday September 2, 2017 at 9:00 PM.  There are a limited number of flares still available.  If you would like to purchase flares for $5 each, reply to this email.

On Saturday September 16, 2017, the Association Board will host an informal discussion for members only at the Cleveland Township Hall.  We will begin at 9:30 AM.  The purpose of the gathering is to discuss issues like water levels, water quality, Heritage Trail, etc.  We will be seeking input and thoughts from our members as well as informing you on the latest developments.  Please mark you calendars and try to attend.

Good Harbor Creek Advisory

From: Tucker, Scott <scott_tucker@nps.gov>
Date: Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 2:13 PM
Subject:  Water Quality Advisory - Good Harbor Creek

A water quality advisory has been issued at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. 

Water samples collected this morning from Good Harbor Creek have exceeded Michigan Water Quality Standards for fecal bacteria. This advisory is applicable to Good Harbor Creek only and does not apply to the adjacent Lake Michigan beach. 

Water quality advisory signs are being posted on-site this afternoon and have been entered into the Michigan Beach Guard website to inform the public. Additional correspondence will be sent once the advisory has been lifted.

Latest updates - Water Level, Heritage Trail

Thank you for the great turnout at the annual meeting and listening to Scott Tucker, Superintendent of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.  The meeting minutes and information regarding the Heritage Trail and Water Levels that were summarized at the annual meeting are on the website.

Water Level Status

On August 12, 2017, in conjunction with the NPS, a beaver dam was removed.  At that time another dam was found by the NPS and they removed it.  Since then the water level at the TLR culvert has dropped slightly.  A third dam was removed on August 16 by a joint effort of Association volunteers and the NPS.

 

We are monitoring the water level on a daily basis to study the effect of these dam removals.  Working with Gosling Czubak Engineering, we plan on meeting with the NPS to discuss the results.  This meeting will be open to all interested parties but can not be held until the data is complete.  We will advise date, time and location as soon as possible.  We are anticipating another report by Gosling Czubak summarizing the water level data we have collected the past couple of years.

We are in need of volunteers to help take the readings at the culverts.  This entails driving by the TLR and CR-669 culverts and measuring the water level at both inlet and outlet sides.  This can be done from your vehicle using binoculars.  If you are willing to help, please respond.

Heritage Trail

The Sixth Circuit Court has granted our legal counsel the opportunity to make public comments (mid-October) regarding our legal request to complete an accurate environmental impact statement regarding the proposed 10' off-road trail, in addition to the consideration of alternative routing options.  We expect a court decision later this year.

Meanwhile, Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation Trails, Inc has asked Cleveland Township for assistance in garnering public input on trail routing of this last segment.  We will provide you more information about that process as it becomes available.  

We are anticipating news later this fall about the grant application to receive funds to repave CR 669 as well as replacing the culvert at CR 669.  If grant funding is received, this may be an opportune time to also include trail access along CR 669 to Good Harbor Beach.

Light up the Lake

Our annual Light up the Lake will be held Saturday September 2, 2017 at dusk.  If you would like to purchase flares, contact Jerry Leanderson.

Thank you for your involvement.

Elvis Performance

 Carol Underwood invites everyone to see Jake Slater, the Elvis tribute singer, put on a show Friday night, August 11, on her lakeside deck at 7 PM.    As before, members should arrive at the southwest corner of LTL on their pontoons, boats, canoes, etc.    Everyone should pray for good weather that night!    His performance in 2015 was rained out entirely, and there was not a show in 2016, so this will be the first show in two years.