Mullett Lake
Water and nature enthusiasts are invited to participate in a stream monitoring program beginning Saturday on streams that flow from Mullett Lake.
According to Leslie Burk, spokeswoman for the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, the volunteer stream monitoring program was established a few years ago to help researchers better gauge the health of local streams.
She said that volunteer stream monitors will collect aquatic insects, snails, crustaceans and other small invertebrates, which are used as "bio-indicators" to gauge the health of a stream.
The first field data collection will take place on Saturday and the follow-up session will be held two weeks later on Oct. 8.
Each session will take approximately a half-day. The program will continue in May of 2006 and then each spring and fall.
Burk said that this year the Watershed Council will start the program by monitoring tributaries of Lake Charlevoix, Mullett Lake and Torch Lake.
"Regardless of whether you live in or around those lakes, you can still participate in the program.
"No experience is required, only a desire to experience first-hand the magnificent stream ecosystems of Northern Michigan," she said.
Anyone interested should contact Kevin Cronk at 347-1181 ext. 109 or by e-mail at kevin@watershedcouncil.org.
September 22, 2005 7:11 AM | Category: Water