8 Point Lakes Banner
  • Lake Improvement Board

    Formed in July 2005, the Eight Point Lake Improvement Board is chartered by Clare County and Garfield Township to oversee lake water quality and treatment needs to counteract the spread of aquatic invasive plants. The Board members are determined by Michigan law and include the Clare County Drain Commissioner, County Commissioner, 2 representatives from Garfield Township, and one lake riparian. The Board is responsible for determining tax special assessments on properties having dedicated lake access to pay for the costs associated with treating the lake. The Board hires consultants and treatment contractors as needed to perform surveys and to treat the lake. Currently, the L.I.B. is focused on treating Eurasian Watermilfoil in the lake.

    Lake Improvement Board Members

    Ralph Stewart, Chairperson and Lake Riparian
    Bill Faber, Clare County Drain Commissioner
    Marlene Housler, Clare County Commissioner
    Bob Porritt, Garfield Township Representative
    Stu Terrell, Garfield Township Representative

    Contact Information: Ralph Stewart, 989.544-3306
    or the Drain Commission office, 989.539-7320

    Lake Treatment for Eurasian Watermilfoil

    Each year, the initial treatment for Eurasian Watermilfoil takes place during the latter part of June, following a plant growth survey to determine the planned treatment map (once the water temperature is sufficient). Notices are posted at all waterfront cottages. Lake treatment maps are available on the Forms & Documents page.

    Year

    Initial Treatment

    Re-Treatment and Secondary

    Total

    1999

    0 acres

    none

    0 acres

    2000

    3 acres

    none

    3 acres

    2001

    0 acres

    none

    0 acres

    2002

    3 acres

    none

    3 acres

    2003

    3 acres

    none

    3 acres

    2004

    7 acres

    none

    7 acres

    2005

    54 acres

    3 acres

    57 acres

    2006

    24.75 acres

    11.25 acres

    36 acres

    2007

    23 acres

    12.75 acres

    35.75 acres

    2008

    27.75 acres

    12 acres (7 new + 5 retreated)

    39.75 acres

    2009

    31.5 acres

    none

    31.5 acres

    2010

    65.75 acres

    none

    65.75 acres

    2011

    46 acres

    none

    46 acres

    2012

    45.75 acres

    .5 acres (new site)

    46.25 acres

    2013

    17.1 acres

    none

    17.1 acres

    2014

    16.5 acres

    22.0 acres

    38.5 acres

    2015

    11 acres

    10 acres

    21 acres

    2016

    29.5 acres

    2.75 acres

    32.25 acres

    2017

    43 acres

    12.3 acres

    55.3 acres

    2018

    51 acres

    0

    51 acres

    2019

    17 acres

    3 acres

    20 acres

    2020

    21.5 acres

    0

    21.5 acres

    2021

    20.3 acres

    1.5 acres

    21.8 acres

    2022

    18.4 acres

    0

    18.4 acres

    2023

    23.0 acres

    0

    23.0 acres

    2024

    54.3 acres

    9.45 acres

    63.75 acres

    2012 treatment included 10,000 weevils stocked at 2 sites
    2013 treatment: herbicides on 10 acres, plus 7.1 acres stocked with 16,100 weevils

    BioBase Plant Growth Survey Map

    Survey Map - June 8, 2021

    Water Quality

    For a number of years beginning in the late 1980s, the Eight Point Lake Property Owners' Corporation initiated a limited water quality testing program in conjunction with the Central Michigan Marine Biology Department. In 2008 that program was resurrected and expanded by the Eight Point Lake Improvement Board. The Board hires a Marine Consultant to collect and test water samples from 5 locations on the lake each spring. The samples are processed through nearly a dozen tests to measure such things as clarity, alkalinity, and nitrate and phosphorus levels.

    Results thus far indicate the overall water quality of Eight Point Lake is excellent, far exceeding the accepted norms for Michigan inland lakes. There have been no indications of pollutants or major problems.

    There has, however, been a steady increase in the levels of nitrates and phosphorus in the lake, which is generally associated with increased levels of decaying plant life in the lake and the runoff of fertilizers used on plants and lawns. Property owners are urged to avoid raking leaves or other yard debris into the lake and to avoid the use of granular commercial fertilizers anywhere near the lake.

    Milfoil Treatment Maps
    2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 , 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 (pre), 2017, 2018 (1), 2018 (2), 2019 (1), 2019 (2), 2020, 2021 (1), 2021 (2), 2022, 2023, 2024

    Milfoil Treatment Permits
    2015-2018, 2019-2022

    Water Quality Reports
    2008-2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

    Lake Improvement Board Reports
    2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    Water Analysis Information

    Water Quality Testing Areas Map

    Other Information

    FEMA Floodplain Update, November 2009

    FEMA Floodplain Update, October, 2011, Part A

    FEMA Floodplain Update, October, 2011, Part B

    FAQ on Using Milfoil Weevils

    DNR Lake Study 2011-2012

    For more information on water testing and recent results for Eight Point Lake:

    Click here for Water Quality Test Results 2008-09.
    Click here for Water Quality Testing Areas Map.
    Click here for Water Analysis Information.
    Water Quality Reports are available on the Forms & Documents page.

    If you have questions, direct them to info@8pointlake.org.

     

     

     

    Direct questions or comments to info@8pointlake.org