Elk River Chain of Lakes
Watershed Plan Implementation Committee (ERCOL WPIT)
The Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed Plan Implementation Committee (ERCOL WPIT) is a partnership between the Watershed Center of Grand Traverse Bay, the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, Antrim County, local township governments, Antrim Conservation District, the Elk-Skegemog Lakes Association, the Three Lakes Association, Friends of Clam Lake, Friends of Rapid River, Intermediate Lake Association, Torch Lake Protection Alliance, Grand Traverse Conservation District, and various other friends groups, lake associations, and nonprofits. The ERCOL WPIT was formed to implement projects pertaining to the Elk River Chain of Lakes in the Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Protection Plan, approved by both the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality in 2005. The first meeting of ERCOL WPIT was held in November 2010, and terrific progress has been made since then.
ERCOL WPIT has been hard at work in Antrim County. A Waterways Work Group has been formed to install a pilot project of several log structures, known as Large Woody Debris, along the banks of the Grass River between Lake Bellaire and Clam Lake. This project is based on recommendations from river sedimentation studies carried out by the ERCOL WPIT in prior years, and was the result of coordinated efforts of eight partner organizations and the Antrim County Operator of Dams.
ERCOL WPIT has been hard at work in Antrim County. A Waterways Work Group has been formed to install a pilot project of several log structures, known as Large Woody Debris, along the banks of the Grass River between Lake Bellaire and Clam Lake. This project is based on recommendations from river sedimentation studies carried out by the ERCOL WPIT in prior years, and was the result of coordinated efforts of eight partner organizations and the Antrim County Operator of Dams.
ERCOL WPIT has meetings every two months.
Contact the Watershed Council office for meeting details at (231) 347-1181.
Contact the Watershed Council office for meeting details at (231) 347-1181.
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Fish Shelters Project
Through the collaborative ERCOL Fish Shelters Project, wooden structures are being sunk to create fish habitat in Elk Lake, Clam Lake, Torch Lake, Intermediate Lake, and Lake Bellaire to improve the recreational fishery of the lakes. Click here to download a brochure to learn more about the fish shelters project and how you can get involved. Even more information is available in the Three Lakes Association's Fish Shelter Handbook. View the interactive map of the fish shelters on the right. |
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Elk River Chain of Lakes Social Survey Results and Fact Sheet
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council conducted three mail surveys in the Elk River Chain of Lakes (ERCOL) Watershed during 2017-2019 with Watershed Residents, Shoreline Property Owners, and Local Officials. These were done to identify needs and concerns regarding the water quality of lakes in the chain. The results will help guide future efforts to protect the water quality of the Watershed.
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council conducted three mail surveys in the Elk River Chain of Lakes (ERCOL) Watershed during 2017-2019 with Watershed Residents, Shoreline Property Owners, and Local Officials. These were done to identify needs and concerns regarding the water quality of lakes in the chain. The results will help guide future efforts to protect the water quality of the Watershed.
Resources:
Watershed Management Plan -Implementation Steps Worksheet
(Feb. 2018)
ERCOL Septic Subcommittee
Watershed Management Plan -Implementation Steps Worksheet
(Feb. 2018)
ERCOL Septic Subcommittee
