All Eyes On the Water
Early Detection Keeps Our Lakes Healthy
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When people talk about protecting a lake, they often picture large projects and heavy equipment. Yet one of the most powerful tools we have is much simpler: your eyes. The “All Eyes On the Water” campaign invites every shoreline resident, boater, angler, and paddler to become a quiet guardian of the lake by reporting unusual changes the moment they appear.
Algae blooms, invasive mussels, exotic invasive plants, and suspicious foam rarely arrive with trumpets. They slip in quietly, spreading beneath the surface until they become expensive, stubborn problems. Early detection changes the entire story. A bloom caught at the first hint of discoloration can be tested and managed before it threatens pets, the fishery or people. An invasive plant spotted while it’s still a small patch can be removed before it creates a dense underwater thicket. Even odd clusters of foam can reveal nutrient spikes or localized runoff issues that deserve a closer look. Think of it as a neighborhood watch for the water. When hundreds of residents pay attention, tiny clues become big insights. That collective awareness helps us safeguard water quality, protect property values, and preserve the lakes we depend on for swimming, fishing, and quiet moments on the shore. |
If you see something that doesn’t look right — murky streaks of green, plants that resemble underwater vines or mats, an unusual cluster of mussels, or foam that seems out of place — snap a photo and report it right away. Quick action keeps our lakes resilient, and your observation might be the one that prevents a small issue from becoming a lakewide problem.
You don’t need to know what it is or be able to identify a species. Just noticing that something looks unusual is enough. If you catch a fish that doesn’t look healthy, or see wildlife struggling along the shoreline, those observations matter too. The lake is speaking all the time through color, clarity, and movement. With all eyes on the water, we can make sure we’re listening. You can view submitted observations and reports on the Monitoring & Data page, where an interactive map displays report locations and details from the All Eyes On the Water program. |
Invasive Aquatic Plants
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Weedy exotic aquatic plant species are prolific and can out-compete diverse natural vegetation, altering fish and wildlife habitat and activities. Invasive vegetation can interfere with recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming, decrease property values and negatively affect enjoyment of the natural beauty of our water resources. You can read more about Aquatic Plant Management here.
A combination of methods is currently used to manage invasive aquatic plant growth on the Marble-Coldwater Chain: Chemicals are being used for targeted spot treatments. Mechanical harvesting is also being implemented in larger nuisance areas. These treatments are based on expert advice by Progressive Companies. This company is contracted by the Marble-Coldwater Chain Improvement Board and is being financed through a Special Assessment District. While weed management is required to restore balance when exotic plants invade, neither chemical nor mechanical methods are perfect solutions. Chemicals kill weeds but do not remove them. As these dead plants decompose, they release nutrients (like phosphorus) back into the water. These released nutrients act as a fertilizer, promoting the growth of even more weeds and algae in the future. A mechanical harvesting approach is somewhat expensive due to the cost of the equipment and the time it takes to perform the task. While mechanical harvesting removes the biomass and prevents the decomposition of the plants in the water, some invasive plant species reproduce and spread through fragmentation as the plants are being removed. No single technique is superior; an integrated approach, using multiple methods, is often the most effective strategy. The committee is also looking into other methods to control aquatic plants including diver assisted suction harvesting (D.A.S.H), a non-chemical, manual method for removing invasive aquatic plants using a diver, a suction hose, and a boat-mounted pump and filtration system. Divers locate and pull the plants, feeding the entire plant, including roots, into the suction hose. This method provides a long-lasting solution by physically removing the entire plant and its root system. However, this method is extremely labor intensive and costly, which is not practical for treating the entire chain. Another newer approach to aquatic weed management is benthic barriers to kill specific weeds such as Eurasian Watermilfoil, which is found in our chain and is one of the most prolific and noxious aquatic invasive species in North America today. These barriers, made of biodegradable burlap blankets, are laid on top of the plant which inhibits its ability to photosynthesize, and kills it. Again, this is a labor intensive and costly method. |
[Photo Credit - Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program]
While the committee is studying these non-chemical methods which may prove more effective, current budgets established through the Special Assessment District, will not be sufficient, and cost benefit analysis needs to be conducted. Prevention is the first step to eradicating exotic nuisance aquatic weeds and includes a weed watch program which has been initiated through our newly formed committee. Early detection is the key to controlling an outbreak in other areas. Cleaning boats and equipment to avoid spreading seeds, and proper disposal of removed plant matter in upland areas is also key to controlling spread of invasive species. If you are concerned about the chemicals used to treat invasive weeds, your concerns are duly noted and we hope you will consider joining our efforts to become part of the solution. You can join our team here. Early detection of invasive aquatic plants allows for rapid and effective management. In the event a suspicious plant is spotted while recreating on our lakes, this file includes a handbook of full-color photos of invasive aquatic plants and a glossary of plant terminology. Click here to view or download the handbook. Click here for a quick reference photo guide to identifying invasive exotic aquatic plants. If you think you have identified an exotic aquatic plant please take photos and report it here. |
You can view submitted observations and reports on the Monitoring & Data page, where an interactive map displays report locations and details from the All Eyes On the Water program.
What's that Foam?
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Some Lake residents have reported an increase in foam on the lakes in recent years. While foam can sometimes indicate pollutants such as PFAS , it can also occur naturally as organic matter decomposes. Higher levels of decomposing material could explain an increase in foam. For example, chemical weed treatments add to biomass decay, and more intense boating activity—especially from wake boats—can mix air with natural surfactants and stir up legacy nutrients and organic matter.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), through the DNR, periodically tests Michigan waters for PFAS, focusing on compounds such as PFOS and PFOA, which are regulated under Rule 57. The most recent report for the St. Joseph Watershed (2020) included Coldwater Lake sampling from March, May, and October 2019. While trace PFAS levels were found in the later samples, no PFOS was detected, and PFOA levels (2.6 ng/L in October 2019) were well below Michigan’s Rule 57 limit of 30 ng/L. Although these results are reassuring, the test results are not current and continued vigilance is important. The Marble–Coldwater Chain has not had a watershed study in over 30 years, and our committee has made developing a new Watershed plan a top priority—including PFAS testing. Developing a current watershed plan will take time and resources, but it’s a critical step forward. Natural foam is an off white, tan or brown color and does not appear dense. If you observe foam that appears bright white, very fluffy and stiff it may contain a contaminant like PFAS. If you suspect PFAS-related foam on the lake, please take photos and report it here. Report Suspicious Looking Foam |
Natural foam is an off white, tan or brown color and does not appear dense
Foam that appears bright white, very fluffy and stiff it may contain a contaminant like PFAS.
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You can view submitted observations and reports on the Monitoring & Data page, where an interactive map displays report locations and details from the All Eyes On the Water program.
Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs)
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Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are large, visible growths of toxic cyanobacteria that appear as green, blue-green, red, or brown scums, resembling spilled paint or pea soup. They occur during warmer months. High concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen in the water fuel their rapid growth and pose health risks to people and pets. They can cause skin irritation, gastrointestinal issues, and more severe effects. Dogs and livestock can die within hours of drinking contaminated water. Visual observation can’t predict HAB toxicity and suspicious blooms should be reported so testing can be administered. You can view this picture guide to help identify a bloom. There are two at home tests you can perform to further help identify a bloom. Stay safe. Avoid areas with visible suspicious blooms and keep pets from drinking the water. If exposed, rinse off immediately with fresh water. Be careful with fish: Eat only fillets, not organs. If you think you have seen a Harmful Algae Bloom, take photos and report it here. |
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You can view submitted observations and reports on the Monitoring & Data page, where an interactive map displays report locations and details from the All Eyes On the Water program.
Invasive Aquatic Animals
Michigan’s inland lakes are treasured for fishing, swimming, paddling, and quiet time at the shore. But some underwater visitors don’t belong here. Invasive aquatic animals spread quickly, disrupt food webs, damage habitat, and are extremely costly to manage once established. Learning to recognize the most common invaders—and reporting anything unusual early—can make a real difference.
Below are the invasive aquatic animals most often found in Michigan inland lakes and why they matter.
Below are the invasive aquatic animals most often found in Michigan inland lakes and why they matter.
Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)Small, fingernail-sized mussels with striped shells that attach to hard surfaces in dense clusters.
Why they’re a problem
- Clog intake pipes, docks, and boat motors
- Outcompete native mussels
- Filter the water so aggressively that they disrupt the food chain and promote nuisance plant growth
- Sharp shells on rocks and beaches
- Dense colonies on docks, ladders, and boats
Quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis)Close relatives of zebra mussels that can live in deeper, colder water and spread even more widely.
Why they’re a problem
- Same impacts as zebra mussels, but across more of the lake
- Harder to detect because they colonize deeper areas
Spiny water flea (Bythotrephes longimanus)A tiny crustacean with a long barbed tail spine, often first noticed as gelatinous globs on fishing lines.
Why they’re a problem
- Eat the same zooplankton young fish depend on
- Disrupt the base of the food web
- Sticky clumps on fishing line when reeling in
Fishhook water flea (Cercopagis pengoi)Another microscopic invader similar to the spiny water flea, with similar food-web impacts.
Rusty crayfish (Faxonius rusticus)Larger, aggressive crayfish with rusty spots on each side of the shell.
Why they’re a problem
- Devour aquatic plants and fish eggs
- Displace native crayfish
- Reduce habitat for fish and invertebrates
- Fewer plants in shallow areas
- Unusually bold crayfish during the day
Round goby (Neogobius melanostomus)A small bottom-dwelling fish with large eyes and a fused pelvic fin that acts like a suction cup.
Why they’re a problem
- Compete with native fish for food and nesting sites
- Eat fish eggs
- Spread quickly along shorelines
What to Do If You See Something Unusual
You do not need to identify the species.
If you see:
- Unusual mussel clusters
- Gel-like blobs on fishing line
- Crayfish that seem larger or more aggressive than expected
- A fish that looks unfamiliar or unhealthy
- Wildlife struggling along the shoreline
Stop the SpreadFollow Michigan’s Clean, Drain, Dry guidance every time you leave a lake:
- Clean plants and debris from boats and gear
- Drain live wells and bilges
- Dry equipment before entering another waterbody
Why Your Eyes Matter
Invasive aquatic animals rarely announce themselves. They spread quietly until removal is difficult and expensive. When lake residents, anglers, and paddlers pay attention, small clues become early warnings—and early warnings protect the entire lake.
You can view submitted observations and reports on the Monitoring & Data page, where an interactive map displays report locations and details from the All Eyes On the Water program.
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