Munro Lake Shoreline Survey 2014.

Abstract

In this study, Munro Lake's shoreline was surveyed on behalf of The Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. Tip of the Mitt works with the community to preserve and reinstate the once pristine quality of northern Michigan aquatic habitats. Munro Lake is shallow and inland, located in Cheboygan County, Michigan. The lake is unique to others in the county because half of the shoreline is inhabited by state forest land run by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the rest of the lake predominantly occupied by private development. The survey includes assessment of each of the 127 parcels along the shore outlined by the Tip of the Mitt. The goal of this survey was to rate the greenbelt for each parcel along with additional identifying factors. These factors play a role in determining the effectiveness of the greenbelt. Included were overall greenbelt score, relative shoreline erosion, presence and density of Cladophora algae, and the availability of Cladophora habitat. This genus of filamentous green algae is an gauge of nutrient dumping or drainage. The quality of the greenbelt can be further assessed by combining observations of erosion levels with the level of Cladophora presence. After the survey is conducted, this information will assist Tip of the Mitt with deciding which property owners to contact in order to provide assistance with shoreline restoration and protection.