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Lime Lake AssociationLime Lake AssociationLeelanau County, MichiganLeelanau County, MichiganPRESERVE PROTECT EDUCATEPRESERVE PROTECT EDUCATEOur MissionTo be stewards of the environmental purity andbeauty of Lime Lake.The Lime Lake Association is dedicated to theconservation and preservation of Lime Lake, itsshores and streams. To serve this purpose, theAssociation will promote environmental education,scientific research and testing to safeguard waterquality and abate health hazards and collaboratewith public and private entities.Our Vision Lime Lake Association BoardDean Manikas - PresidentMark Fisher - Vice PresidentJeff Kane - TreasurerMolly O'Toole - SecretaryLisa Genesen - Fund RaisingMargaret O’Toole - MembershipMary Barss - Hospitality/MerchandiseRon Reimink - VolunteerCathy Stocker - CommunicationsANNUALANNUALREPORTREPORT 20232023HighlightsFrom the Board • P. 2Goals, Objectives & Findings • P. 32024 Budget Projection • P. 4Updates, Discoveries & Honors • P. 5New eDNA Project • P. 6Mail In Donation Form • P. 7

Welcome to the first annual report of the Lime Lake Association. We are an all-volunteerboard guided in our role by our vision and mission statements. In 2021 the board adopted a 3-year work plan and completed the initial cycle in the summerof 2023. Paramount to the plan’s implementation was our contract with lake biologist,Kelsey Froelich (Freshwater Solutions, LLC). In addition to our science objectives, we alsoset a goal to achieve 100% association membership of all riparians (we are currently at60%). To help achieve this, we upgraded our communications to a digital format through afully integrated website. We expand on all of this in the pages that follow. Our critical work preserving water quality, addressing invasive species, educating ourcommunity and more depends on the commitment of our lake community. We are gratefulto our members who volunteered hours and made financial contributions in 2023. Ourintention with this report is to provide you with a review of our on-going efforts, currentsuccesses and future needs to inspire you to remain committed in 2024 and to help usincrease our membership.Become a Member!Please visit our website at www.limelake.org and join our onlinemailing list. For your convenience, you can also renew your yearlymembership there through a secure link. Our annual operating costs,currently averaging $16,000, are funded by membership dues and wedepend on renewals to keep up with our work. If you haven’t yetrenewed your membership or joined for 2024, please do so as soon aspossible. If you prefer renewing by check, a donation form andmailing address are provided with this report.WE ARE A SMALL ASSOCIATION WITH A BIG RESPONSIBILITY TO PRESERVETHE ENVIRONMENTAL PURITY AND BEAUTY OF LIME LAKE FOR FUTUREGENERATIONS. FROM THE BOARDFROM THE BOARD2

GOALS, OBJECTIVES & FINDINGSInvasive species can drastically impact lakeecosystems. We employ consistent monitoring,early detection, and rapid response plans. Wemonitor via drone surveys, rake tossing, andscuba dives at our aquatic gardens, Lime Lake has a good diversity of native waterplants. Thus far, we are spared the mosttroubling invasive, Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM)that now plagues many lakes in our regionincluding Little Glen and Lake Leelanau. Lime Lake does have the invasive Yellow FlagIris. With The Leelanau Conservancy we rantwo summer dig events at our preserves.Kelsey also enlisted property owners to do spotdiggings along their shorelines. Our goal is toeradicate the species within three years.We are also collaborating with the GrandTraverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indiansin an innovative eDNA early detection program(see pg 6). WE HAVE INVESTED IN THIS RESEARCHBELIEVING “AN OUNCE OF PREVENTIONIS WORTH A POUND OF CURE.”Greenbelt creation is an important andmanageable way to provide shorelineprotection from erosion, to allow filtration ofrain run-off and to protect our water quality. We offer free greenbelt consults to allriparians. In 3 years, Kelsey has conducted 16consults. In 2023, two riparians met with Kelseyand one took advantage of our $200association fund-matching toward thepurchase of native plants. The Lake Steward program is part of theconsult which connects you to a statewidewebsite where you can take a survey andreceive personalized recommendations.We hope to see all property owners makingefforts toward protecting more of the LimeLake shoreline through Greenbelt creation.SHORELINE PRESERVATIONTHROUGH GREENBELTSMONITOR AND ERADICATEINVASIVE SPECIESCLARITY TESTING: Lime Lake continues to have very good water clarity. Riparians Marcia and Jeff Leegenerously volunteered their time to conduct our secchi disc testing for water clarity over the course of3 months during the summer. Kelsey also engaged with the Leelanau Conservancy to share their LimeLake historical data on nitrogen and phosphorus levels. SEPTIC SEEPAGE: We concluded a two-year project assessing levels of enteric bacteria (bad bugs fromthe human digestive track) and know we have septic seepage into our lake. Usage matters! Populationincrease means a greater risk to our lake. Please do not exceed your septic capacity. All riparians shouldhave their septic system checked every 3 to 5 years. We must each do our part!ALGAL SURVEYS: There is a pattern of summer algal blooms. Currently all are normal and nontoxic. Wewill continue to monitor, with a keen eye out for harmful blooms. CLARITY TESTING, SEPTICSEEPAGE, ALGAL SURVEYSWATER QUALITY 3

ANNUAL SERVICEFY'24Greenbelt Reimbursements$600CLMP membership for statewide water quality study $30Drone shoreline survey every 3 years to monitoreffects of greenbelts and shore erosion$3,000Lake Biologist$5,000eDNA study (with a match of $9,750 from the GrandTraverse Band)$5,250Printing, postage, PO box, and miscellaneous$1,450Shetland Creek maintenance$600TOTAL$15,9302024 BUDGET PROJECTIONWe budget generously to be sure we can meet all obligations, and with a $16,000 annualbudget, we need all lake riparians to join our association and contribute membership dollars.NEW LIME LAKE WEBSITE LAUNCHED SPRING OF ‘23We made the timely decision to update our onlinepresence in 2023. Thanks to the dedication and generosityof Tamryn Peterson (a local realtor with Coldwell Banker,professional photographer, and website developer) andCathy Stocker (LLA Board Member in charge ofcommunications) we launched a beautiful and fullyintegrated website that we are excited for you to exploreand enjoy as a useful resource at www.limelake.org. 4

WE’VE UNFORTUNATELYDISCOVERED RUSTY CRAYFISH.THIS AQUATIC INVASIVE DESTROYS PLANT BEDS, AS WELLAS ECOSYSTEMS. WE’RE LOOKINGINTO WAYS TO MONITOR THERUSTY CRAYFISH POPULATION. Lime Lake has freshwater sponges!Sponges are a positive indicator of theoverall health and ecological balanceof an aquatic environment. These sensitive and remarkable filterfeeders contribute to improved waterquality by extracting suspendedparticles and organic matter. Such a happy discovery shouldencourage us to continue our effortsin preserving the purity and beauty ofLime Lake.The DNR conducted a weeklongfish survey in Lime Lake, August2023. Totals included 986 fishcaught (and released) with 18species identified. The longestfish was a 24” Northern Pike and afew 20” Small Mouth Bass. Wehave a good number of WhiteSuckers, a forage fish and “canary in the coal mine”indicating a healthy lake system. Lime Lake was honored as thefeatured lake in the 2023 fallissue of The Michigan RiparianMagazine. A publication of theMichigan Lakes and StreamsAssociation, it is the onlyquarterly magazine devoted tocovering current issuesrelevant to the preservationand protection of Michigan’sinland waters. 12Unlike most lakes in LeelanauCounty, Lime Lake does nothave troublesome terrestrialinvasive species such as PurpleLoosestrife, Phragmites,Coltsfoot, and Yellow-flag Iris(most have been eradicated).3Lime Lake has four differentspecies of parasites that causeswimmer’s itch which are easilycontrolled when usingpreventative strategies.Effective strategies includeswimming after morning andtoweling off immediately.Our Good Harbor BayWatershed is the onlywatershed in LeelanauCounty that does notcurrently have thevery invasive EurasianWatermilfoil.Eight species of forage/bait fish were found supporting ahealthy fishery. Perch were elusive, but those found had arange of size/maturity. Two surprises: Alewives continue tocome in from Lake Michigan, but no Brown Trout. A hypothesisis that Lime Lake, and many inland lakes, despite plantingthousands of trout, are not hospitable environments (waterclarity may be a reason).You can become a member of MLSA (and receive theirpublications) by going to mymlsa.org. Cover photo for theissue was provided by Richard Stocker, a Lime Lake riparian!UPDATES, DISCOVERIES & HONORSFISH SURVEYFRESHWATER SPONGESCOVER STORYRUSTY CRAYFISH5

Aquatic invasive species (AIS), harmful algal blooms (HABs), and excessive enteric bacteria(along with their accompanying nutrients) present the three greatest and most immediatethreats to preserving Lime Lake. Any of these threats can very quickly destroy how wecurrently recreate, and greatly reduce the value of our properties for future generations.Knowing the current make-up and ecological balance (or imbalance) of all aquatic life formsis essential for directing our management actions as lake stewards. New technologies are revealing answers to mysteries found in our freshwater lakes in waysunimaginable just a few years ago. Digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) now allows fordetection of very minute amounts of environmental DNA (eDNA) left in the water by all lifeforms, while next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods, such as NGS barcoding, identifythousands of aquatic organisms from a single water sample. The value of these advances forunderstanding how we can manage and best preserve our treasured Lime Lake water can’tbe overstated.Due to a unique and synergistic relationshipbetween Lime Lake biologist, Kelsey Froelich,and Dr. Patrick Hanington (University ofAlberta, Canada), one of the most talentedand recognized scientists in North America,our work on Lime Lake dovetails with Dr.Hanington’s exciting new, multiple-yearinitiative beginning in 2023 that will greatlyimprove the way we evaluate and managefreshwater ecosystems across thecontinent. This international collaborationwill generate valuable data from our NWMichigan region and, most importantly, allowus to tap into a world-class universityinfrastructure that provides expertise andsupport necessary for success. Leelanau County, MichiganPRESERVE PROTECT EDUCATELime Lake AssociationUpdates on eDNAProjectDIGITAL POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTIONThe Lime Lake AssociationP.O. Box 50Maple City, MI 49664Email: info@limelake.orgThe Lime Lake Association is a non-profit tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of theU.S. Internal Revenue Code. © 2023 Lime Lake Association. All rights reserved.6

Name(s)MembershipMembershipMattersMattersHelp Us Make a Difference!Contact InformationAddressOptional: In Honor/In Memory ofPhone Number EmailJoin at any level - it’s easy!$50 Member$100 Sustainer$250 Benefactor$500 PartnerMake checks payable to Lime Lake Association.Include this form with your check and mail toPO Box 50, Maple City, MI 49664Annual donations can also be made online atwww.limelake.org/donateOther: ________Our biggest expense is science. Weconduct ongoing research to preventinvasive species and monitor waterquality; we offer educational resourcesand free greenbelt consultations; andwe strive to set an example ofstewardship that will safeguard thelake we love.Thank you for your support and stewardship!Please consider a minimum annual donation of $250. This is just $20 per month andallows us to maintain current programs, increase outreach, and be ready should aninvasive species like Eurasian Watermilfoil become detected.Your annual tax deductible contribution directlysupports our mission of preserving and protecting theenvironmental purity and beauty of Lime Lake.7