Living on the Edge

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Living on the Edge Shoreline Stewardship
for Brighton Lake
Jo Latimore, Watershed Ecologist Huron River
Watershed Council
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Huron River Watershed

• 900 square miles 63 communities
• 7 counties gt525,000 people

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South Ore Creek Subwatershed
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Brighton Lake Subwatershed
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How healthy is the Huron?
The Huron is the cleanest urban river in
Michigan, However . . .
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Areas of the Huron not meeting water quality
standards
In Michigan, 400 lakes rivers in violation
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Brighton Lake Water Quality

• Threatened due to Phosphorus inputs from land
  use changes

• MDEQ study in 98-99

• 34 ?g Phosphorus/L

• Load 973 lbs/yr Phosphorus

• 100 from Non-Point Source Pollution

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Why is excess phosphorous bad?

• Lake productivity in this region is naturally
  limited by phosphorus
• Excess phosphorus acts as a fertilizer, leading
  to
• Excess algal and plant growth
• Low dissolved oxygen levels
• Decreased clarity
• Water taste and odor problems

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Source SFWMD
Source Roger Bannerman
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For more information
www.hrwc.org 734-769-5123 Jo Latimore, Watershed
Ecologist Chris Riggs, Upper Huron Coordinator