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Informational Links & Oxbow Lake Monitoring and Testing Results

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The overall lake water quality metrics have remained relatively stable since testing began in 1999.

 

The Water Quality Committee monitors 3 factors:

Clarity-Secchi depth, phosphorus, and chlorophyll.

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Michigan Members EGLE (Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy) previously DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality), previously DNR (Department of Natural Resources).

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The OLHA participates in the Consolidated Lake Management Program (CLMP) where samples are taken for analysis by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Total lake evaluations have been undertaken to monitor the health of our Lake. The results of the latest evaluation are available to you if you are interested.

 

Water clarity (depth): Aids fishermen to estimate the lower limit for fish/aquatic life in the lake, making any fishing at depths deeper than twice the reading unproductive.

  

Phosphorus (parts per billion, lower is better):

  • Residential waterfront riparian homeowners can do their part by NOT fertilizing lawns within 30 feet of the shore (which decreases the runoff into the lake).

  • Residential waterfront riparian homeowners can do their part by using fertilizer where the middle number (phosphorus) is 0 (for example 7-0-20).

  • Lowering phosphorus levels decreases the growth of algae blooms and floating green slimy plant matter which then can directly improve the water clarity.

  • Oxbow Lake ranks in the bottom third (that's good) of the eighteen lakes in Oakland County reporting Spring 2023 phosphorous data.

 

Chlorophyll (parts per billion, lower is better):

  • Chlorophyll levels impact water quality by altering color & odor, dissolved oxygen availability to the aquatic plant & fish life and overall lake quality

 

Do you know about the 2019 law to protect our waterways from hitchhiking invasive aquatic life here in Michigan? Here are simple ways to protect our lake:

  • REMOVE aquatic plants from boats, boating equipment, and boat trailers before launching or placing them in the water.

  • DRAIN live wells, bilges, and all water from boats before leaving the access site.

  • DISPOSE of unused bait in the trash. Do not release bait into the water.

  • DON'T TRANSFER fish to water bodies other than where they were caught.

 

Additional recommended actions to protect our lakes:

  • Inspect and remove plants and mud from boats, trailers, and equipment before leaving the access area. Dispose of the material in a trash receptacle or otherwise away from the water body, if possible.

  • Power wash boats and trailers before leaving the access site. Alternatively, use a nearby car wash or wash at home.

  • Allow the boat to dry for at least 5 days before launching into a different body of water.

  • Disinfect live wells and bilges with a bleach solution (1/2 cup bleach to 5 gallons water)

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