Crystal Lake & Watershed Association

06/11/2026

Swimmer's itch report https://swimmersitchsolutions.com/crystallake/

06/09/2026

From a tick’s perspective the CSA is a target rich environment, and you are one of the targets. The problem is the abundance of deer ticks and the risk of Lyme disease. Learn more about Lyme disease, how to avoid it, and when to seek treatment in this article by Bruce Lindsay.
https://summerassembly.org/stories/388-lyme-disease,-how-to-avoid-it,-and-when-to-seek-treatment.html

06/05/2026

https://my.crystallakewatershed.org/event-6699876

Crystal Lake is a special place that holds an important place in our lives. In order to preserve our natural resources and the memories it helps create, we want to bring together all the surrounding communities in support of the Crystal Lake Watershed Association in protecting Crystal Lake for generations to come.

Please join us on Saturday, July 11th, from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the Stormcloud Brewing Company Taproom for the 6th annual Keep Crystal Clear event. We will celebrate our beautiful resource and bring the local community together to support the CLWA over some local brews, good food, and great company. The event will feature discounted drinks, live music, and more. We hope you can join us!

Tickets to the event can be purchased in advance here or at the time of the event at the door (now accepting CC's).

For more information, please reach out to event host Coleman Schindler ([email protected])

The Crystal Lake Watershed Association is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization of concerned citizens committed to protecting the beauty and water quality of Crystal Lake and its surrounding environment. For over 50 years, it has engaged in monitoring, research, education, advocacy, and actions on behalf of all who enjoy its benefits.

06/04/2026

https://donorbox.org/events/935318/steps/choose_tickets

This is not a CLWA event, but the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network (ISN) is a key organization that helps the environment around the lake. I encourage you to check out their event! Here is the description:

ISN is a non-profit, and entirely grant and donor-funded, so we are so grateful to have the support of community members like yourself who help us care for our environment.

Come bring a lawn chair down to the big red barn on M115 and celebrate the beginning of summer with live music, fresh food by Taqueria Mosqueda, and cold beer from Stormcloud Brewing Co! Meet ISN staff and eat/drink with supporters, volunteers, and partners. Additionally, if you are feeling extra lucky, we are hosting a raffle with fun prizes, including but not limited to: a round of golf for four people at Crystal Mountain Resort, art from local artists, and gift cards to local businesses. There will also be free outreach information, merchandise for sale, and staff on hand to ask any invasive (or native!) species questions you might have.

04/20/2026

High water levels at the Outlet Dam
(pic gaudino) April 19th

04/15/2026

Flooded septic system? Here’s what to do next:

After a flood, your septic system needs time and care before returning to normal use.

✔️ Be patient and allow the soil & system to fully dry
✔️ Limit water use to avoid backups into your home
✔️ Do NOT pump your tank until groundwater levels drop (this can cause serious damage)
✔️ Have your system professionally inspected for damage or clogging
✔️ If floodwater entered the tank, schedule pumping AFTER water levels recede
✔️ Get electrical components checked before turning power back on

⚠️ Avoid DIY repairs — septic systems can pose health and safety risks.

Taking the right steps now can prevent costly repairs and protect your home and water supply. 💧

01/16/2026

You know that woody structures along Lake Leelanau’s shoreline provide valuable habitat for fish, turtles, frogs, herons and other animals. However, Christmas trees are not ideal candidates. Typically, they are softwoods and break down quickly in the lake and are too dense for many fish to use as habitat. Additionally, pesticides applied to Christmas trees, leftover decorations, and anchors used to sink the tree introduce unwanted material into our lake. Instead of sinking your tree, consider these alternatives from Michigan Lakes and Streams Association:
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* Create a brush pile on your property to provide habitat; wildlife may use it for nesting or as a food source. Just make sure that the tree is pesticide-free and that you’ve removed all of the ornaments and other decorations.
�* Cut the tree into small pieces or mulch it to use in garden pots or landscaping, which will return nutrients to the soil. Depending on the type of gardening you’re doing and the type of tree you have, you may need to confirm that the tree is pesticide-free and that it won’t negatively affect soil composition for whatever you’re growing.
�* Give the tree to a friend who has chickens or goats. Chickens can roost on trees and goats love to chew on them. Again, make sure the tree is pesticide-free before allowing animals to use it.�
* Recycle your tree through your municipality. Many cities and towns collect trees or have designated drop-off locations; these trees are usually turned into mulch.��

Check out our article on shoreline woody structures to learn best practices for your shore 👉 lakeleelanau.org/woody-structures/

01/07/2026

Calling all undergrad students! We’re thrilled to announce that we were selected to host a summer intern through the Michigan Sea Grant (MISG) Environmental Internship Program.

Through this program, MISG coordinates and funds undergraduate students from any accredited community college, college, or university in Michigan to work with host organizations like us.

At the BCD, the Summer Intern will work directly with our staff on projects that protect water quality, prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, and promote responsible land and water stewardship.

Learn more about the position and how to apply by visiting the employment page of our website. Applications are due January 31.

11/06/2025

Introduction to Lakes Online is designed for interested individuals, decision makers, local leaders, resource professionals, and lakefront property owners interested in gaining knowledge about inland lakes and connecting with others who have a similar interest. In this introductory course, participants increase their knowledge and understanding of the following six topics:

1. Lake ecology
2. Watersheds
3. Shorelines
4. Aquatic plant management
5. Michigan water law
6. Community involvement

Course instructors include Bindu Bhakta, Erick Elgin, Paige Filice, Dr. Jeremy Hartsock, Julia Kirkwood (EGLE), Dr. Jo Latimore, Brad Neumann, Mary Reilly, and Dr. Lois Wolfson (retired).

Learn more at:

Introduction to Lakes Online is a six-week online course specially designed for lake users, lakefront property owners and lake managers interested in learning about inland lakes. From the comfort of home or office, participants have 24/7 access to six online units complete with closed-captioned vide...

10/03/2025

The passing of a great man. Prayers and gratitude to Bob & his family for their support to their community and this organization.

Robert “Bob” Widman Appleford died on September 26, 2025, in Frankfort, Michigan, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He was 90.

Bob was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 8, 1935, to Alexander A. Appleford and Marguerite Widman Appleford. He was a lifelong athlete with a talent for both tennis and football, starring as quarterback for the Birmingham Seaholm High School football team. Bob was president of Student Congress in high school and
was awarded the first Marc Joslyn Memorial Award for Citizenship, Leadership, Service, and Concern for Others. These are traits that defined Bob for the remainder of his life. He matriculated to serve as quarterback for Williams College, where he was active in the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity.

After his graduation from Williams in 1957, Bob earned a law degree from the University of Michigan. For the next 40 years, he practiced law in the greater Detroit area and was well known for his honesty and commitment to clients.

Bob met Molly Olson in high school and they married in 1958. The couple settled in Birmingham, Michigan, where they raised four active children. The family has fond memories of camping and ski trips, tennis matches, and Bob coaching his sons’ Little League teams. A lifelong nature enthusiast who once collected
butterflies, Bob shared his passion and knowledge of the natural world with his family. Influenced by his own father’s love of photography, Bob also captured countless images of landscapes, National Parks, and his beloved Benzie County in northern Michigan. He savored 50 wonderful years of visits to his parent’s farm in the Allegheny Mountains near Warm Springs, Virginia. Bob and Molly enjoyed traveling widely throughout the United States.

Bob was an avid sports fan whose love of the Detroit Tigers and University of Michigan Wolverines was unbounded. He reveled in a good bet and was known for his sports pools: the Experts Club Football and App’s Final Four March Madness. Bob was principled, respected, appreciated, and loved. Family and friends
affectionately referred to him by many nicknames, including Apps, Apple, Bobby Trim Trim Burn Burn, and Knuckles. He served on numerous boards and committees throughout his life, presenting unbiased advice and always striving to help others. Most significantly, he served as a commissioner for the City of
Birmingham and was elected mayor in the 1980s. He was the first president of The Crystal Lake Watershed Association and served as president of Crystal Downs Country Club in Frankfort, Michigan.

In their 67 years of marriage, Bob and Molly’s favorite place was always their home in the woods on Lake Michigan in Frankfort. The cottage they built in 1965 became their home base following Bob’s retirement in 2006. Each summer, the “Appleshack” was host to lively and fun-filled family reunions and parties. Bob was always active, whether tending his beautiful flowers and plants, chopping
firewood, fixing his break wall, playing tennis and pickleball, skiing, swimming in Lake Michigan, or playing card games with family and friends.

In addition to his wife, Molly, Bob is survived by his children: Judy; Annie DeVries (Mike); David (Robin); and Scott (Alison). He was devoted to his grandchildren Maggie, Ben, Charlie, William, Luke, Caroline, and Lily, who affectionately called him “Gumpy.” Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his brother John W. Appleford.

The family would like to thank Jenya Cobb, Joseph Perrino, Claudia Kittleson, Mary Wilkins, Megan Francis, and Jeryl Colby and the entire staff at the Orchard House for their aid and kindness to Molly and Bob.

There will be a private family memorial service. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Bob’s memory can be made to one of the following:
The Crystal Lake Watershed Association, https://my.crystallakewatershed.org/donate. Benzie Conservation District, PO Box 408, Beulah, MI 49617. Benzie Wellness & Aquatic Center, BWAC, PO Box 2204, Frankfort, MI 49635. Arrangements with Jowett Family Funeral Home, Benzonia.