JULY/AUGUST CLA Newsletter

17 hours ago
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CROCKERY LAKE ASSOCIATION

JULY/AUGUST 2026 NEWSLETTER

CROCKERY LAKE WEBSITE: www.crockerylake.org

CROCKERY LAKE EMAIL: crockerylakeassociation@gmail.com

CROCKERY LAKE FACEBOOK: www.facebook/crockerylake

Photos are in the attachment

HAPPY 250th

BIRTHDAY USA

NEXT CLA BOARD MEETING AUGUST 19, 2026 7:00pm

Chester Township Hall

JULY 3, 2026 CELEBRATION ON CROCKERY LAKE

BOAT PARADE WINNERS

What an outstanding day to celebrate America’s 250th birthday! Even with a little rain! There were gatherings everywhere and the sound of laughter and fun was a welcome sound. The boat parade had 8 boats entered this year! Thanks and a round of applause to all who participated! And the winners are:

We hope you are all thinking about a theme for next year 2027 for another great celebration for our country!

FIREWORKS 2027

Thank you to everyone who donated to the fireworks fund this year. They were fabulous! And a special thanks to all of you who have donated to the 2027 fireworks fund so far. Crockery Lake fireworks are totally paid for from contributions made by our lake residents and friends. In order to enjoy the same show next year we need to raise a minimum of $7,500. Anything more than that will just enhance the fireworks display!

Donations can be made via the website at: www.crockerylake.org or

Send to: Greg Slater, 2500 Crockery Shores Road, Casnovia, MI 49318

BECOME AN ASSOCIATION MEMBER

Being an association member benefits you and everyone. The CLA Association plans the July 3 activities including the fireworks. They closely monitor the health of the lake and they are involved with Chester Township, Ottawa County, EGLE, Restorative Lake Sciences, and Professional Lake Management for a healthy, beautiful lake for everyone to enjoy. They keep you informed by the newsletters, website, and Facebook page. Visit us at www.crockerylake.org for more information about what your Lake Association does for you.

💵 2026 DUES & 2027 FIREWORKS DONATIONS

If you have not been contacted by a director please notify any director from the list below or email crockerylakeassociation@gmail.com:

$40 annual dues.
Optional extra donations for the 2027 firework display.

Pay by:📬 Mail:Greg Slater2500 Crockery Shores RdCasnovia, MI 49318

🏦 Bank BillPay📲 PayPal at: www.crockerylake.org (click on “Association”)

📲Venmo code 6930

FUNDRAISER – 2027 FIREWORKS

“250th Anniversary USA” T-ShirtsHeather blue shirts available now!💵 $20 Sm-XL $25 for 2XL and larger. All profits go to the 2027 fireworks fund.

Order from: Lesha Gustin – 616-822-7139 (call or text)

DOG ETIQUETTE

Everyone loves their pet. Some of us even love your pet! But not everyone is comfortable around dogs, and not everyone appreciates having an unfamiliar dog approach them or wander onto their property. We have received multiple Facebook posts and calls to the CLA president regarding loose, roaming, and even aggressive dogs. There have been reports of unleashed dogs jumping at walkers and leashed dogs. At other times, friendly dogs have wandered into neighbors’ yards while they have guests or children visiting. Even a friendly dog can be frightening to young children or to people who are not comfortable around pets. Unleashed dogs can also intimidate or upset other dogs that are being walked. And, of course, it is frustrating for homeowners to discover unexpected “landmines” left behind by dogs whose owners may not even realize they were there.

We kindly ask all dog owners to keep your dogs leashed or safely contained within your invisible fence. This simple courtesy helps keep everyone safe—including your dog—and helps us all be considerate of our neighbors.

Thank you for helping make our lake community a safe and enjoyable place for everyone!

LAKE QUALITY REPORT

Elevated E. cli Confirmed in Crockery Lake

On July 30, 2026, a notice was posted at the Grose Park beach advising people to avoid the water because of elevated bacteria levels. The Ottawa County Health Department (OCHD) reported high levels of E. coli at the Grose Park swimming area.

For the past two years, the OCHD has tested the Grose Park beach area for E. coli at the request of the Crockery Lake Association (CLA) Board. Following the July 30 notice, the CLA President contacted both Chester Township and the OCHD to obtain more information about the elevated bacteria levels.

In the weeks leading up to this incident, the CLA had reported concerns about a company injecting biosolids into agricultural fields adjacent to Crockery Lake. After a CLA Board member spoke with representatives of the company, additional information was gathered and a report was posted on the CLA website.

Significant rainfall occurred the following Monday. OCHD testing on the Wednesday after the rainfall detected elevated E. coli levels at the Grose Park beach. Several EGLE offices were also notified of the situation.

E. coli bacteria generally decrease in concentration after entering a body of water, often within 24–48 hours, as the bacteria are diluted and naturally die off. However, the timing of the rainfall, the biosolids application, and the subsequent elevated E. coli reading raised concerns for the CLA and prompted us to seek further information.

EGLE returned our call and indicated that they were investigating the incident. After consulting with the appropriate departments, EGLE determined that the biosolids application was within the scope of the permit.

There did appear to be a discrepancy regarding the location identified in the permit. The permit referenced the southeast (SE) corner of Hoover and 16th Avenue, while the area highlighted on the attached map appeared to be the southwest (SW) corner. EGLE indicated that this discrepancy was not considered a violation or a concern with regard to the permit.

The CLA will continue to monitor water quality, communicate concerns to the appropriate agencies, and advocate for the protection and restoration of Crockery Lake.

Virtual Remediation Pre-application Meeting with EGLE

On August 11, 2026, members of the Lake Quality Committee, the CLA Board President, and another board member participated in a virtual meeting with Dr. Jennifer Jermalowicz-Jones and three representatives from EGLE.

The first part of the conversation focused primarily on ways the CLA could work more closely with area farmers to prevent additional phosphorus from entering Crockery Lake. Suggestions included using our association fees to:

Help pay farmers to plant cover crops.
Compensate farmers for not spreading manure.
Place biochar socks in the streams and drainage areas running off farmland, rather than only at the inlets to the lake.

We were also encouraged to continue promoting good practices among lake residents, including:

NO fertilizers near the water
Keep grass clippings out of the lake
Maintain septic and drain fields
If you have not had your septic tank pumped in the past 5 years, NOW is the time!
Manage stormwater runoff responsibly
This can be done easily by planting or letting the natural plants grow along the shoreline. These act as a natural filter. The only plant we don’t want is purple loosestrife because it is very invasive.

We emphasized that the CLA is already actively promoting these practices through our newsletters and other communications. We also clarified that the Crockery Lake Association is not a homeowners association (HOA), but a voluntary nonprofit association.

Much of the discussion centered on preventing further phosphorus loading rather than directly addressing the restoration of the lake’s existing water quality. We recognize that reducing additional nutrient loading is an important part of protecting the lake, but we also remain focused on the need to address the significant water-quality problems that already exist in Crockery Lake.

Dr. Jermalowicz-Jones assured us that this type of conversation is a normal starting point and encouraged us not to be discouraged. The EGLE representatives spoke favorably about the potential use of biochar socks, although they indicated they would want to evaluate the specific locations where they might be placed.

The group also offered to come to Crockery Lake for a visual tour to better understand the lake, its tributaries, and the areas contributing to the water-quality concerns. We will be working to schedule that visit within the next week.

We appreciate the willingness of Dr. Jermalowicz-Jones and the EGLE representatives to meet with us and look forward to continuing the conversation as we work toward meaningful improvements in Crockery Lake’s water quality.

🌿Another Option - NT Max

A few years ago, Carl Elliott gave a presentation on NT-Max Lake and Pond Treatment. This is a treatment that has been successful in clearing up swim areas on lake fronts and in ponds. If we all do this individually we do not need an EGLE permit. Carl and few others have seen improvement in the waters by their shorelines from this application. If there is enough interest there is a significant discount when ordered in bulk. Here is the link: https://newtechbio.com/nt-max-biological-water-treatment/#treatment-guide

ADVERTISERS

Advertising in this newsletter is FREE to Crockery Lake Association Members.

Advertising for business is $25/year. Inclusion of any advertisement in the CLA Newsletter does not equate to an endorsement by the Crockery Lake Association. CLA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President / Betsy Ludwick betsylud@gmail.com. 616.723.5704

Position Expires:4/30/27

Newsletter Editor, Website and Facebook page Administrator

VicePresident / Dan Atwood

Position Expires: 4/30/29

616.240.5670 / dan@atwoodforestproducts.com

Representing: 2833 - 2871 Crockery Shores, Kayce Lane, Crockery Woods

Treasurer / Greg Slater

616.638.6930 / greg.gsesllc@outlook.com

Position Expires: 4/30/28

Representing: 2221 Van Dyke - 2391 Van Dyke

Secretary / Paula Humphrey