Crystal Lake & Watershed Association

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Beulah, MI
Crystal Lake & Watershed Association

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The CLWA is a nonprofit organization of citizens committed to protecting the Crystal Lake watershed.

11/02/2026

Crystal Lake levels are determined by a court order that dictates both an approximate height for both summer and winter. The CLWA installed a monitor to make it easier to maintain the correct levels. Winter levels begin on November 1. Check out the real time readings on our website https://crystallakewatershed.org/lake-level-monitoring/

10/27/2026

Park Construction Update As Of October 21 - Parking lot completed and all heavy equipment removed from site. Rain garden planted, but it sustained some damaging heavy rains: will be restored and slightly redesigned. The Betsie Valley Trail was realigned.

10/21/2026

It's fall clean up time again!
As you prepare your property for a long winter slumber apply these tips to help keep our lake healthy.
• Rake and remove leaves: Clear fallen leaves from your lawn, shoreline areas, and shallow water. Leaves decay and release phosphorus into the water, which feeds harmful algae blooms and degrades water clarity.
• Never rake leaves into buffer strips or the lake: Leaving organic matter in natural buffer zones or dumping it directly in the water causes unwanted nutrient spikes.
• Do not burn brush near the shore: Avoid burning yard waste close to the water because wood ash is high in phosphorus and easily washes into the lake.
• Leave natural buffers alone for now: Resist the urge to aggressively clean or clear native plants along the water's edge before winter. Dead plant stalks and fallen leaves in buffer strips provide essential cover for wildlife and let soil warm up faster in the spring.
• Maintain native plants: Keep deep-rooted native vegetation and woody habitat intact; they hold soil in place, filter runoff, and protect fish breeding areas.

10/16/2026

Leveling for the parking area and excavation for the rain garden began October 7 for the outlet park.

10/12/2026

The periodic dredging of Beulah's sediment basin is now taking place. This must be done every 4-5 years to remove the muck carried by Cold Creek that it has captured. Without the sediment basin, about 1,000 cubic yards of muck per year would be going into Crystal Lake. Beulah and Benzonia share the 6-figure cost of this maintenance which benefits the entire lake.

10/07/2026

Registration is now open for the award-winning Introduction to Lakes Online course from Michigan State University Extension! Offered once a year, this six-week online class is perfect for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of inland lakes including lakefront property owners, concerned residents, local leaders, and decision-makers. 🌊 🐟

Led by MSU Extension experts and state agency professionals, the course explores a variety of topics, including lake ecology, watershed management, shoreline protection, aquatic plants, Michigan water law, and community engagement.

The 2027 program begins January 26 and runs through March 19. The registration deadline is January 29, 2027.

Ready to dive in? Learn more and register at www.canr.msu.edu/lakesonline.

10/05/2026

Outlet Park Update - Footprint for parking area has been cleared. Most vegetation was invasive species. Three dead trees remain for removal. Betsie Valley Trail continues to be open for users.

09/23/2026

Outlet park construction began September 20. The Betsie Valley Trail is open, but Trail users should be alert to the equipment working in the area.

09/21/2026

The long-awaited universal access park at the Crystal Lake Outlet is finally under construction! To the joy of those who loved the old "natural" location, it stayed open all summer. Now the area is closed until late October. Look for the Grand Opening in Spring 2027!

09/14/2026

Does your septic system need some TLC after a busy summer? September 14-18 is Septic Smart Week, a good time to see if your tank needs pumping. Any smelly pools over your drain field? When it comes to septic systems, an ounce of prevention is worth thousands of dollars of cure. Learn more in the CLWA's septic brochure.

https://crystallakewatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Septic-Smart-brochure-CLWA-logo-w-QR-1.pdf

Address

P. O. Box 89
Beulah, MI
49617

Telephone

+12318824001

Website

http://crystallakewatershed.org/, https://my.crystallakewatershed.org/join-us, https://my.crystallakewatershed.org/donat

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