This article comes to us from BreAnne Grabill, our Environmental Scientist from PLM Lake & Land Management Corp. Click on the link below to get the full Michigan DNR story…
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PLM, along with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), are very concerned about the current conditions of our area lakes. The long cold winter has produced very thick ice and dense snow pack for an extended period of time. When this happens, sunlight is unable to penetrate down past the ice layer stopping the vital process of photosynthesis from occurring. Without photosynthesis, plants stop producing oxygen, which is essential for a healthy fishery. A lack of oxygen under the ice can produce a “winter kill” of the fish populations in extreme circumstances. Waterbodies that are shallow and have sediments rich in organics (muck) are more at risk for a winter kill.
Please take a moment to read the DNR Press Release, located below, and begin to talk with your residents about the possibility of seeing dead/decaying fish as the ice begins to thaw. Also, please feel free to contact me directly for further information or assistance.