"Keep Coldwater Clear" Water Quality and Sustainability Initiative

A Lake Environment Improvement Committee was commissioned by the Coldwater Lake Association on August 12, 2025 to protect Coldwater Lake’s water quality, aquatic ecosystems, and surrounding watershed by monitoring water quality parameters and educating and inspiring the community in ways that can help keep our lake healthy, natural and clear. Over the years, the lake has faced many threats to its beautiful, clear waters. While the lake has seen changes, our commitment to Keep Coldwater Clear has not. 

The Coldwater Lake Association supports Coldwater Lake as an all-sports lake with a strong water-sports tradition. While enjoying recreation, we must also be good stewards of the environment. Lakes naturally change over time, but human activity can accelerate unpleasant effects. By making small adjustments, we can reduce negative impacts and preserve the lake for the future. Many harmful habits are unintentional, and our goal is to share knowledge that helps you make informed choices. Just as we practice good neighborliness, we can practice friendly boating and environmental care, ensuring the lake remains a treasure for generations.
Please help us to protect Coldwater Lake now and for generations to come. Attend our informational meetings and browse our educational content so you too can affect positive change on the lake and along your own property's shoreline. Become a Coldwater Lake Association member, volunteer, shop our store (coming soon), donate.  Together, we can Keep Coldwater Clear.

​All Eyes On the Water: Early Detection Keeps Coldwater Lake Healthy

When people talk about protecting a lake, they often picture large projects and heavy equipment. Yet one of the most powerful tools we have is much simpler: your eyes. The “All Eyes On the Water” campaign invites every shoreline resident, boater, angler, and paddler to become a quiet guardian of the lake by reporting unusual changes the moment they appear.

Algae blooms, invasive mussels, exotic invasive plants, and suspicious foam rarely arrive with trumpets. They slip in quietly, spreading beneath the surface until they become expensive, stubborn problems. Early detection changes the entire story. A bloom caught at the first hint of discoloration can be tested and managed before it threatens pets, the fishery or people. An invasive plant spotted while it’s still a small patch can be removed before it creates a dense underwater thicket. Even odd clusters of foam can reveal nutrient spikes or localized runoff issues that deserve a closer look.

Think of it as a neighborhood watch for the water. When hundreds of residents pay attention, tiny clues become big insights. That collective awareness helps us safeguard water quality, protect property values, and preserve the lakes we depend on for swimming, fishing, and quiet moments on the shore.

If you see something that doesn’t look right — murky streaks of green, plants that resemble underwater vines or mats, an unusual cluster of mussels, or foam that seems out of place — snap a photo and report it right away. Quick action keeps our lakes resilient, and your observation might be the one that prevents a small issue from becoming a lakewide problem.
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The lake is speaking all the time through color, clarity, and movement. With all eyes on the water, we can make sure we’re listening. 

Lake Dwellers Guide to Protecting Water Quality in Coldwater Lake

Autumn Leaves  “Don’t Rake into the Lake!”

Decomposing yard waste is a major source of excess nutrients that cause algal blooms, deplete dissolved oxygen, and harm aquatic life. Instead of raking into the lake, here are the general recommendations for managing fall leaves near a lake:
Why raking leaves into or near a lake is harmful
  • Nutrient overloading: Piling leaves on or near the shoreline increases the amount of phosphorus and other nutrients that wash into the lake during rain or snowmelt.
  • Algal blooms: Excess nutrients act as a fertilizer for nuisance weeds and algae, which can lead to unsightly, unhealthy, and sometimes toxic algal blooms.
  • Reduced oxygen: When the leaves decompose in the water, it uses up oxygen that fish and other aquatic animals need to survive, which can lead to fish kills
  • Habitat damage: Raking the lake bottom can stir up sediment and destroy the habitat of critters living in the lake bottom. 
What to do with leaves instead
  • Rake leaves away from the shore: Move any leaves that have fallen on streets, driveways, or lawns and are at risk of washing into the lake. Keep them out of the storm drain system and gutters.
  • Mulch the leaves: Use a mulching mower to shred the leaves and leave them on your lawn. The small pieces will filter down to the soil, providing free, natural fertilizer and enriching the soil.
  • Compost the leaves: Start a compost pile for your garden to turn the leaves into nutrient-rich compost for use next season or bring your yard waste to a compost site.
  • Create leaf piles: You can make designated piles in garden beds or beneath trees to help enrich the soil and create habitats for beneficial insects. 

What is Phosphorus?

Phosphorus is a natural element and an essential nutrient for plant growth but is found only in small amounts in lakes and streams. Excess phosphorus is not a friend to lakes.  Even small increases in phosphorus can lead to negative results such as stimulating algae growth and the unwanted green blooms as well as creating excessive plant growth in the lake. More phosphorus also leads to less fish as dying and decaying algae robs the water of dissolved oxygen fish require to thrive. 

Phosphorus can have a devastating impact on the water quality of our lake. Therefore, we need to be ever mindful of protecting the lake and keeping phosphorous levels as low as possible.

When it comes to fertilizing, ZERO is more!  Phosphorus is not necessary for established lawns.  Most established lawns already have sufficient nutrients in the soil. Soil tests often reveal that extra nutrients are not needed.  When homeowners apply only as much fertilizer as is necessary, nutrient runoff into surface or ground water is minimized and natural resources are protected.  The following laboratories perform soil testing.  You can also purchase DIY kits:

It is best not to use fertilizer at all. However, when necessary, there is a safer means to fertilize your lawn. When shopping for fertilizer, look for phosphorus-free fertilizer.  It's the law: Michigan Fertilizer Law (1994 PA 451, Part 85, Fertilizers) restricts the use of phosphorus fertilizers on residential and commercial lawns, including athletic fields and golf courses statewide. Both homeowners and commercial applicators must follow the phosphorus application restrictions.

Key Fertilizer Recommendations

  • Buy phosphorus-free: Look for a zero in the middle of the N-P-K nutrient analysis on the fertilizer bag, such as 20-0-10. The middle number represents the phosphorus content.
  • Choose slow-release nitrogen: Opt for fertilizers with at least 25% slow-release nitrogen. This allows your lawn to absorb nutrients over time, reducing the risk of runoff.
  • Use organic fertilizers: Organic fertilizers, like worm castings, release nutrients slowly and improve soil health without introducing harmful synthetic chemicals. They are less likely to contaminate groundwater.
  • Create a buffer zone: Do not apply any fertilizer within a 10 to 30-foot buffer zone adjacent to the lake or other waterways. Planting native, deep-rooted vegetation in this area will help filter runoff.
  • Mind your application: Use a drop spreader instead of a rotary spreader near the water to prevent granules from scattering directly into the lake. 
  • Clean up: Sweep up fertilizer released onto a hard surface, such as a sidewalk or driveway promptly.
  • Timing is key: Do not apply fertilizer before a heavy rainfall or on frozen ground, as this significantly increases runoff.
  • Don't use "weed-and-feed": These products contain unnecessary pesticides and are often applied where they aren't needed, causing further harm to the water.

Why Water Quality Work Matters to Every Angler

Fishermen know what a lake is really saying long before anyone else does. A shift in water color, a thread of algae clinging to a lure, a sudden quiet in the shallows. These are the lake’s subtle postcards, hinting at what’s happening beneath the surface.
Across the Marble–Coldwater Chain, a coordinated push is underway to protect the waters that host our favorite pursuits. That work may sound technical at first glance, but its impact lands directly in the hands of every angler who casts a line here.

Healthier Water, Stronger Fisheries: Efforts to reduce excess nutrients and sediment are designed to keep algae blooms from stealing oxygen and clouding the water. Clearer water invites sunlight deeper into the system, strengthening aquatic plants that shelter baitfish. Cooler, oxygen-rich conditions help cold-water species thrive instead of merely endure.

Restoring Natural Shorelines:  Encouraging lakefront owners to shift from turfgrass to native shoreline buffers. These strips of wildflowers and deep-rooted plants act like living filters that slow runoff and keep sediment out of spawning beds. When these natural edges return, juvenile fish get safer nurseries and predators get healthier hunting grounds.  Per the DNR Status of Fishery Resource Report for Coldwater Lake published in 2018, the result is simple: stronger fish, better habitat, and more consistent seasons.  

Curbing Nearshore Muck:  Nobody likes stepping into a squishy surprise. But muck also blankets habitat, clogs oxygen exchange, and smothers eggs. Current projects plans will map problem areas, fix erosion hotspots, and promote practices that keep organic debris from piling up. Less muck means clearer shallows, sturdier spawning zones, and better wading for anglers who like to stalk the shoreline.

Why Anglers Matter Most:  Water quality work isn’t just a job for agencies or lake groups. Fishermen are often the first to notice an algae streak, a stressed fish, or an invasive plant drifting near a launch. Reporting these early signs helps the community act before issues escalate.  To report these sightings visit our All Eyes on the Water section of our website.  

Your observations carry weight. Your voice helps shape lake policy. Your stewardship ensures the next generation inherits not just stories but actual fish to chase.

Cast Forward:  The fishery you enjoy today is the result of care taken years ago. The work underway now is an investment in tomorrow’s mornings on the water, when the surface is glassy, the line hums, and something strong tightens on the other end.

Getting involved and staying engaged in water quality efforts is one of the most powerful ways to ensure those moments continue. ​

Sign the Petition to ​Support Goose Egg Collection for Humane Population Control

learn more about the petition
The Coldwater Lake Association has proposed a humane and sustainable resolution to both the Kinderhook Township Board and the Ovid Township Board to manage the resident Canada goose population on Coldwater Lake.

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volunteer to collect eggs
In 2026, the  Lake Improvement Committee of the Coldwater Lake Association will be seeking egg removal permits from the USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services, Kinderhook and Ovid Townships.  Volunteers new to the egg removal program are required to complete mandatory training.   If you would like to volunteer and become certified for nest egg destruction, complete the volunteer sign up form and watch the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Training Video.
report location of nests
​Think you have seen a goose nest?   If it is on your own property, use the Permission Form to report the location and provide permission to our volunteers to enter your property.  If the nest is on, a neighbor's property, public property, state property or uninhabited islands on Coldwater Lake, report it here using this form!
provide permission to volunteers to enter your property to collect eggs
The egg removal process will require permission from any homeowners where nests may be found.  If you are aware of a nest on your property and are willing to provide permission for our volunteers to come onto your property to collect the eggs, please provide us with your contact information by completing the permission to enter property form.
​In spring our volunteers plan to collect and destroy goose eggs to control overpopulation — that action requires resolutions from Kinderhook and Ovid Townships, so we’re collecting signatures in support.

But let us emphasize, this decision has not been taken lightly. Although we’ve already gathered over 300 signatures, the issue remains controversial. Unfortunately, it has become a necessary measure to protect the health and safety of our families and community.

We truly respect the views of both hunters who’d prefer to lift hunting restrictions and animal advocates who oppose this on ethical grounds. We understand both sides.

The problem is manicured lawns, minimal native vegetation, and open shorelines create ideal year-round habitat. Excessive goose droppings are hurting water quality, fueling algae growth that can become toxic, and spreading parasites that can make children seriously ill.

For these reasons, egg destruction has become a difficult but necessary step to protect our community.
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Our goal is to eliminate the need for this measure in the long term.
The long-term solution is not continual egg destruction—it is habitat change.   Read on to learn more about keeping geese at bay.  

​Keep Geese at Bay

If Canada geese frequent your lakefront, you likely have a lawn problem, not a goose problem. Large, manicured lawns near lakes attract more geese by creating a perfect habitat with easy access to food, water, and clear lines of sight to watch for predators. This leads to a higher population of resident geese, which can have significant negative environmental impacts. 

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Why Geese Are Attracted to Lawns

Ideal food source: Geese are herbivores that prefer to graze on short, tender grass. Fertilizing and mowing a lawn produces highly nutritious grass blades that are a favorite food source for geese. An adult goose can eat up to four pounds of grass per day.

​Safety from predators: Open, expansive lawns provide an unobstructed view of the surrounding area, which allows geese to spot and avoid predators easily.
Easy access to water: When a lawn extends directly to the lake's edge, it provides a seamless pathway for geese to move between grazing and water. The lake serves as a place to drink, bathe, and escape danger.
Reduced migration: With an abundance of food and safety, many Canada geese have become non-migratory, residing in one location year-round. This has increased Coldwater Lake’s resident geese population. 
Solution

Create a native buffer zone: Grow a shoreline buffer strip of tall native grasses, shrubs, or other plants at least 20 to 30 inches high. This creates a barrier that obstructs the geese's line of sight, making them feel vulnerable to predators.  

Limit fertilization and mowing: Reducing fertilizer use makes the grass less nutritious and attractive to geese. Allowing the lawn to grow taller than 6 inches also discourages grazing.

To properly and safely dispose of goose poop from a dock, scrape the waste into a garbage bag and use an environmentally friendly solution like vinegar to clean the area. Do not wash droppings directly into the water, as they contain harmful bacteria and nutrients that can contaminate the aquatic ecosystem. ​

Natural Shorelines
Are you considering shoreline improvements?  By using a softshore approach to landscaping your waterfront property, you can help preserve the very things that likely attracted you to lakefront living in the first place – clean water, abundant wildlife, good fishing and access to recreation.

Read More 

​2025 Water Quality Report

According to the 2025 Water Quality Summary Report prepared by Progressive Companies for the Marble–Coldwater Chain of Lakes Board, Coldwater Lake has returned to an oligotrophic state. The reported Trophic State Index (TSI) is the average of three parameters: spring mean total phosphorus, summer Secchi transparency, and summer chlorophyll-a concentration. While summer Secchi transparency fell slightly within the eutrophic range, this represents a notable and concerning departure from expected oligotrophic conditions that warrants close attention.  Chlorophyll-a levels were very low and indicative of oligotrophic conditions. Spring total phosphorus also reflected an oligotrophic state, resulting in an overall TSI of 31.
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These measurements are collected over the deepest basin of the lake and may not represent conditions in nearshore, windswept areas where algae can accumulate, as some shoreline residents observed. On Coldwater Lake, reduced water clarity is often driven by suspended sediments from heavy summer boat traffic. Its morphology—numerous shallow shoals and sandbars—makes it highly susceptible to boat-wake scouring and wind-induced wave action, both of which increase sediment suspension. In 2025, drought-related low water levels likely amplified these impacts and contributed to localized algae growth.   Read the 2025 Water Quality Summary here.

For more information on protecting lake clarity, please see the responsible boating articles below.

​Protecting Your Coldwater Lake Property Values


Healthy watersheds make healthy lakes and higher property values.

The clarity and quality of our lake is ultimately a reflection of how we take care of our own  land.  Waterfront property owners and inland neighbors, play a positive role in maintaining and improving the water quality of Coldwater Lake.

A nationwide meta analysis found that when all other factors were equal, properties on lakes with clearer water commanded significantly higher property prices. The Lake Environment Improvement Committee is exploring our water quality issues and examining opportunities to protect your property investment.  What you and your neighbors do also sustain or improve water quality and can improve resale potential. 

​On the other hand, if water quality is degraded, lower property values could result.  

Please help us to protect Coldwater Lake now and for generations to come by being part of the solution: Attend our informational ON-LINE meeting on November 18, 2025. ​
If your membership has lapsed or you have not already joined, become a member of the Coldwater Lake Association, volunteer.  Together, we can keep Coldwater Lake clear.

Register now for this free virtual  meeting
Become a Coldwater Lake Association Member
​Volunteer on this Committee

​Wake Boats Should Stay in Deeper Waters

Wake Boat activity has increased substantially in recent years.  While the challenges and excitement of the sport are undeniable, they do produce large wakes which can have harmful side effects to Coldwater Lake.

Large wakes erode the shoreline and stir up bottom sediment which introduces phosphorus back into the water column.  Phosphorus can cause algae blooms.  Sediment hinders water clarity, can clog fish gills and suffocate fish eggs.  View the video  revealing adversarial impact from wake boats on lakes below. 

You can help by operating your wake boat at least 500 feet from shore and in water more than 15 feet deep.  In contrast to it’s depth exceeding 80 feet, Coldwater Lake is flanked by extensive shallow areas.  To adhere to the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources recommendations please stay at least 500’ from shore, and create these wakes only within the yellow zones in the map shown here. Your help in both upholding these guidelines and spreading the word will go a long way towards maintaining the health of our lake.

​Calling All Water Sporters to Be Wake Wise

Wake boats are not the only type of boat that can cause damage.  All motorized vessels create wakes and propeller wash that can cause shoreline erosion, impact the lakebed, damage property, and disturb other boaters. Boaters are responsible for the damage and injuries their wake may cause and should follow these Michigan State regulations.

In Michigan, "slow, no wake speed" is defined as the slowest speed at which a vessel can still maintain steering. You must operate at a slow, no-wake speed within 100 feet of the following: 
  • The shoreline, if in water less than three feet deep
  • Any dock, pier, or raft
  • Any moored or anchored vessel
  • Any marked swimming area or person in the water 
Key details for specific watercraft
  • Personal Watercraft (PWC): When operating a PWC, there are additional restrictions. You must stay at least 200 feet from a  shoreline unless you are traveling at a slow, no-wake speed and moving perpendicularly to the shoreline. PWC operators also cannot cross within 150 feet behind another vessel (except another PWC) moving faster than a slow, no-wake speed.
  • Water sports: A vessel or the person being towed (e.g., water skier) must maintain a distance of 100 feet from the shoreline, docks, and other vessels, 

​Clean Boats Clean Waters  [Shared from Michigan State University Website]

Boaters and anglers are a major source of aquatic invasive species introduction in Michigan. Do your part to prevent their spread by cleaning, draining, drying and disposing every time you leave the water.  

Stop Aquatic Invasive Species

CLEAN boats, trailers and equipment and remove all mud, debris and aquatic plant material from trailers and watercraft before launching or retrieving a watercraft. Use a hose or power washer when available.
DRAIN live wells, bilges, ballast tanks, and all water from boats before leaving the access site. Consider disinfecting live wells and bilges with a bleach solution (1/2 cup bleach to 5 gallons of water) when possible. Fish diseases and microscopic life stages of aquatic invasive species can be hiding in seemingly clean water, so draining is an important step.
DRY all boats and equipment thoroughly before leaving an access area and prior to relaunching in a new waterbody.
DISPOSE of bait in the trash. Do not release bait into the water. Release of bait and minnows can lead to the unintended introduction of diseases and aquatic invasive species.
DO NOT TRANSFER FISH to water bodies other than where they were caught. This helps prevent the spread of both aquatic invasive species and fish diseases.

IT’S THE LAW
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DO NOT launch or transport watercraft or trailers unless they are free of aquatic organisms, including plants.
DO NOT transport a watercraft without removing all drain plugs and draining all water from bilges, ballast tanks, and live wells.
DO NOT release bait into the water.
Violation of the law is a state civil infraction. Violators may be subject to fines. Learn more on aquatic invasive species in Coldwater Lake here.
[Shared from Michigan State University Website]

​Water Quality Monitoring

​Monitoring Fact Sheets

Secchi Disk Transparency
Dissolved Oxygen and Temperature
Total Phosphorous
Chlorophyll 
Exotic Aquatic Plant Watch
Score the Shore
Keeping Coldwater Lake healthy is what the Coldwater Lake Improvement Committee is dedicated to doing. This year, the Committee began monitoring the well-being of Coldwater Lake by participating in the Michigan Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP) which is administered by Michigan State University Extension and supported by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Working with the staff at CLMP, our volunteers can help make “Keep Coldwater Clear” a reality for all to enjoy.

Monitoring provides advance warning of potential water quality issues, such as nuisance algae blooms caused by excess nutrients (like phosphorus and nitrogen), allowing for proactive interventions before significant damage occurs. The Water Quality Committee volunteers began monitoring Coldwater Lake’s water including Secchi disk data (turbidity) and started an Aquatic Plant Watch in August 2025. In 2026, we will add temperature (using a digital meter from surface to 88 ft depth) and dissolved oxygen data up to six times a year. In addition, we will collect water chemistry data for phosphorus and chlorophyll three to four times a year. Observations including water color, appearance and perception are also recorded as well as spring overturn (or turnover) which happens within two weeks after ice out. This allows us and the CLMP to assess the state of nutrient enrichment in the lake. The results are submitted to the CLMP who help evaluate the data and prepare annual reports for Coldwater Lake. Click here to view current and past data.
​This monitoring will augment the monitoring already implemented by Progressive Companies AE. Progressive Companies AE has been collecting water quality data for the Marble-Coldwater Chain since 2012, and they oversee the management of invasive species on the chain. Progressive Companies’ monitoring has established a baseline and reveals gradual changes in water quality, helping the Lake Association understand the lake's overall health and respond to long-term shifts. The objective data gathered from the Committee’s monitoring is essential for making informed decisions about water quality management, such as implementing eutrophication prevention strategies.

In 2027, the committee plans to implement a shoreline assessment through the CLMP "Score the Shore" program. In the meantime, property owners can assess their own shorelines by completing this on-line survey administered by the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership.
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To learn more about the lake parameters the Committee will be monitoring, take a look at the fact sheets listed here. If you would like to become a monitoring volunteer, complete this online form.

​Invasive Aquatic Plants

​Weedy exotic aquatic plant species are prolific and can out-compete diverse natural vegetation, altering fish and wildlife habitat and activities.  Invasive vegetation can interfere with recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming, decrease property values and negatively affect enjoyment of the natural beauty of our water resources.  You can read more about Aquatic Plant Management here.  

A combination of methods is currently used to manage invasive aquatic plant growth on the Marble-Coldwater Chain: Chemicals are being used for targeted spot treatments. Mechanical harvesting is also being implemented in larger nuisance areas. These treatments are based on expert advice by Progressive Companies AE.   This company is contracted by the Marble-Coldwater Chain Improvement Board and is being financed through a Special Assessment District.  While weed management is required to restore balance when exotic plants invade, neither chemical nor mechanical methods are perfect solutions. Chemicals kill weeds but do not remove them. As these dead plants decompose, they release nutrients (like phosphorus) back into the water. These released nutrients act as a fertilizer, promoting the growth of even more weeds and algae in the future. A mechanical harvesting approach is somewhat expensive due to the cost of the equipment and the time it takes to perform the task. While mechanical harvesting removes the biomass and prevents the decomposition of the plants in the water, some invasive plant species reproduce and spread through fragmentation as the plants are being removed. No single technique is superior; an integrated approach, using multiple methods, is often the most effective strategy.  

The committee is also looking into other methods to control aquatic plants including diver assisted suction harvesting (D.A.S.H), a non-chemical, manual method for removing invasive aquatic plants using a diver, a suction hose, and a boat-mounted pump and filtration system. Divers locate and pull the plants, feeding the entire plant, including roots, into the suction hose. This method provides a long-lasting solution by physically removing the entire plant and its root system. However, this method is extremely labor intensive and costly, which is not practical for treating the entire chain. Another newer approach to aquatic weed management is benthic barriers to kill specific weeds such as Eurasian Watermilfoil, which is found in our chain and is one of the most prolific and noxious aquatic invasive species in North America today. These barriers, made of biodegradable burlap blankets, are laid on top of the plant which inhibits its ability to photosynthesize, and kills it.  Again, this is a labor intensive and costly method. While the committee is studying these non-chemical methods which may prove more effective, current budgets established through the Special Assessment District, will not be sufficient, and cost benefit analysis needs to be conducted.
[Photo Credit - Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program]

Prevention is the first step to eradicating exotic nuisance aquatic weeds and includes a weed watch program which has been initiated through our newly formed committee. Early detection is the key to controlling an outbreak in other areas.  Cleaning boats and equipment to avoid spreading seeds, and proper disposal of removed plant matter in upland areas is also key to controlling spread of invasive species. If you are concerned about the chemicals used to treat invasive weeds, your concerns are duly noted and we hope you will consider joining our efforts to become part of the solution.  You can join our team here.  

​Early detection of invasive aquatic plants allows for rapid and effective management. 

In the event a suspicious plant is spotted while recreating on Coldwater Lake, this file includes a handbook of full-color photos of invasive aquatic plants and a glossary of plant terminology. Click here to view or download the handbook.

Click here for a quick reference photo guide to identifying invasive exotic aquatic plants.

If you think you have identified an exotic aquatic plant please take photos and report it here.

Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs)
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are large, visible growths of toxic cyanobacteria that appear as green, blue-green, red, or brown scums, resembling spilled paint or pea soup. They occur during warmer months.  High concentrations of phosphorus and nitrogen in the water fuel their rapid growth and pose health risks to people and pets.   They can cause skin irritation, gastrointestinal issues, and more severe effects.   Dogs and livestock can die within hours of drinking contaminated water.  Visual observation can’t predict HAB toxicity and suspicious blooms should be reported so testing can be administered.  You can view this picture guide  to help identify a bloom.  There are two at home tests you can perform to further help identify a bloom. 

Stay safe. Avoid areas with visible suspicious blooms and keep pets from drinking the water. If exposed, rinse off immediately with fresh water.  Be careful with fish: Eat only fillets, not organs.

If you think you have seen a  Harmful Algae Bloom, take photos and report it here. 
[Photo Credit: Brent Langdon, BLPS]

What’s That Foam?

Some Coldwater Lake residents have reported an increase in foam on the lake in recent years. While foam can sometimes indicate pollutants such as PFAS , it can also occur naturally as organic matter decomposes. Higher levels of decomposing material could explain an increase in foam. For example, chemical weed treatments add to biomass decay, and more intense boating activity—especially from wake boats—can mix air with natural surfactants and stir up legacy nutrients and organic matter.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), through the DNR, periodically tests Michigan waters for PFAS, focusing on compounds such as PFOS and PFOA, which are regulated under Rule 57. The most recent report for the St. Joseph Watershed (2020) included Coldwater Lake sampling from March, May, and October 2019. While trace PFAS levels were found in the later samples, no PFOS was detected, and PFOA levels (2.6 ng/L in October 2019) were well below Michigan’s Rule 57 limit of 30 ng/L.

Although these results are reassuring, the test results are not current and continued vigilance is important. The Marble–Coldwater Chain has not had a watershed study in over 30 years, and our committee has made developing a new Watershed plan a top priority—including PFAS testing. Developing a current watershed plan will take time and resources, but it’s a critical step forward.
Natural foam is an off white, tan or brown color and does not appear dense.  If you observe foam that appears bright white, very fluffy and stiff it may contain a contaminant like PFAS.  If you suspect PFAS-related foam on the lake, please take photos and report it here.

Native Plants are Wildly Civilized

Spending time on Coldwater Lake is magical—whether swimming, boating, fishing, or simply listening to the waves. Lakes thrive when property owners take small steps to protect them. Traditional landscaping—large lawns, seawalls, and plant removal—often harms lakes. Instead, natural shorelines with leafy edges and aquatic plants provide food, shelter, and safe passage for wildlife. Homeowners can enjoy the beauty of both worlds. Turf grass near the house provides space for paths and play, while a shoreline border of native grasses and wildflowers filters contaminants like fertilizer and animal waste. This prevents pollutants from reaching the lake, reducing weeds and algae. By rethinking landscaping, we can protect Coldwater Lake and keep it healthy for future generations.  Get some great landscaping ideas here.  ​
[Photo Credit ​Mark Bugnaski]
Now that we have your attention, the best time to plant wildflower seeds in Michigan is either in the late fall, from mid-October through November, after the first killing frost, or in the early spring, within a month after the last frost (typically mid-April to mid-May). Fall planting is often preferred for native species as it mimics nature and gives seeds the necessary cold period to break dormancy, leading to earlier blooms. ​

​Coming Soon - Get your "Keep Coldwater Clear" Merchandise


Proudly display Flags on your lawn and Decals on your vehicles.  Don some Swag Wear with grandeur. 

​Help create awareness and let your neighbors know you support Keeping Coldwater Clear!

Check back soon to see what fun items are available. 

Meet Our Lake Environment Improvement Team

Margie & Arnie Franker

Margie and Arnie Franker are long-time Chicago residents and newcomers to Coldwater Lake, where they purchased their Shawnee Shoals vacation home in July 2023. After spending 25 years enjoying the exceptional clarity of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, they began searching for a lake home within three hours of Chicago with water quality as their top priority. That search led them to Coldwater, promoted as a spring-fed, oligotrophic lake.
Since purchasing their home, they noticed declining clarity—concerns later confirmed through Water Quality Summary Reports from Progressive Companies AE. Motivated to help protect the lake, Margie is grateful for the formation of the Lake Environment Improvement Committee, which she now chairs. She is committed to engaging residents, encouraging questions, and keeping the community informed.
Margie is a retired IT consultant with extensive process-improvement experience, previously working for Union Carbide before founding her own consulting firm. Arnie has owned Industrial Welder Rebuilder, a respected repair service business in Alsip, Illinois, since 1979. A lifelong water enthusiast who grew up boating on Lake Michigan, he brings a deep appreciation for the Great Lakes to his time on Coldwater and remains an active advocate for maintaining high water quality.
Married for 35 years, the Frankers share one mission: Keeping Coldwater Clear.
​

Sara Roper

​Sara and her husband, Rick, live in the home her parents purchased 45 years ago on Crystal Beach. What was a modest summer cottage in 1980 has since been thoughtfully remodeled into a welcoming family home.
A graduate of Western Michigan University with a degree in Finance and Accounting, Sara has been an active member of Branch County’s business community for many years. She has contributed her skills and experience to organizations such as The Oldsmobile Scramble, Hauska Home and Farm, and Maple Lawn Medical Care Facility.
Sara shares her parents’ deep love for Coldwater Lake. Her children grew up spending countless summer days on the water, creating cherished memories that continue to connect the family to the lake. Today, Sara channels that passion into her work with the Lake Environment Improvement Committee, where she focuses on a watershed study/plan designed to better understand the quality of water flowing into and through the South Chain of Lakes.

Ginger McMillan

Bio and Picture Coming Soon

Kirsten Felts

​Kirsten Felts is a fourth-generation co-owner of the Maschmeyer cottage on Crystal Beach, dating back nearly 100 years. Growing up spending summer vacations at the lake, she inherited a deep connection to Coldwater and its tight-knit community.
 
Kirsten holds a degree in Environmental Science and Public Policy from Indiana University. She began her career as an environmental scientist with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, where she supported environmental protection and policy enforcement. She now serves as practice manager for a mental health group in Indianapolis, leading operations and supporting a team dedicated to the community and access to care.
Kirsten is passionate about keeping Coldwater Lake clean, clear and beautiful for generations to come. She lives in Indianapolis with her husband and children and spends as much time as possible at the lake, continuing her family’s legacy and love for Coldwater.
Kirsten’s committee focus is on outreach and education. Look for her weekly “Water Quality Wednesday” posts on the Lake Association Facebook page. 

David and Jill Sluyter

​​David and Jill Sluyter have spent the past 22 seasons at their summer home in Shawnee Shoals, watching their children and grandchildren enjoy lake living.  Their winter home is in Kalamazoo Michigan. They plan to continue their biannual migration as long as possible, and then pass it on to their grandkids. After kayaking on Coldwater Lake for over 22 years, we definitely see a change in the water quality in our beloved lake.  Everyone needs to come onboard with this initiative.  This committee is a start for us.  
 
David has a doctorate in counseling psychology and retired as president of the Fetzer Institute, an operating foundation located in Kalamazoo.  Before that he worked at Western Michigan University.  He enjoys bicycling, traveling, and one of his hobbies is building wooden kayaks and canoes.
 
Jill is a “transplanted” buckeye after moving to Michigan in 1968, starting her career in education as an 8th grade English teacher/adult education administrator for Coldwater Schools, moving to a middle school principalship, and ending as a college administrator for Kellogg Community College. With education and action, we can accomplish our goal of keeping all of our water systems safe.

​The Lake Environment Improvement Team is Grateful to Our Steering Committee,
​The Coldwater Lake Association Board
without their support our work would not be possible


Tom Manning, President
Kim Gray, Vice President
Randy Herriman, Treasurer
Janet Herriman, Secretary
Don Beck, Trustee
Rick Groves, Trustee
Craig Retcher, Trustee
Cheryl Rogers, Trustee
Rachel Tell, Trustee
Lynn Wachtmann, Trustee
Denise Ward, Trustee

THANK YOU!

Terry Stewart

​​Terry Stewart, native to the Middletown, Ohio area, has been bringing his family and friends to Coldwater Lake since the early 90’s. He rented various houses until purchasing the channel house in 2015. His families’ fondness memories were summer weeks spent on Coldwater Lake.

Terry holds a bachelors degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Miami University of Ohio.

Terry worked in the automotive industry for 30 years, focusing on factory management, process improvement, global standardization, and equipment procurement. He and his wife are now retired and full time Lakers.

He is an avid fisherman and cares deeply about the health of the lakes.

Michael Groth

​Michael and his wife, Rachel, are frequent visitors to Coldwater Lake, where they spend much of their family time at the Lakehouse owned by Rachel’s parents, Margie and Arnie. After years of enjoying the water with their children, Michael has become increasingly interested in protecting the lake’s long-term health and clarity. Their family’s experiences on other Midwest lakes—where clear water made swimming, boating, and fishing a joy—shaped a deep appreciation for responsible lake stewardship.
As declining clarity at Coldwater became more noticeable, Michael and his family began learning more about the lake’s condition and the findings shared in recent Water Quality Summary Reports from Progressive Companies AE. He is grateful for the Coldwater Lake Association Board’s creation of the Lake Environment Improvement Committee and is proud to support his in-laws as they take an active role in safeguarding the future of the lake.
A facilities and operations leader with a strong background in continuous improvement, Michael applies that same problem-solving mindset to community efforts. Together with his family, he is committed to one goal: Helping Keep Coldwater Clear for generations to come.

Jack Sanderson

​Jack and Karen Sanderson have lived at Shawnee Shoals on Coldwater Lake for more than 20 years.  From Findlay Ohio, he was raised a lake kid and grew up weekends on Long Lake at Volkmer's Landing.  Jack is an avid outdoorsman for sailing, kayaking, biking, fishing, and snow skiing at Swiss Valley, where he is an Alpine Ski Patroller and Medical First Responder.  After retiring, he was a Volunteer Fireman at Lakeland Fire and Rescue Department in Kinderhook and Ovid townships. Concerned by the deteriorating water clarity and increase in the weeds, Jack joined the initiative to do his part in improving Coldwater Lake water quality and preserving the lake environment for generations to come.  
 
Jack earned a Bachelor of Science degree form Ohio State University with a major in Computer Science and minor in Finance.  Karen earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Ohio Dominican College.  They both worked for over 40 years at Chemical Abstracts Service in Columbus, Ohio.  Jack was a Project Manager in IT Systems Installation and Karen worked as a Training Instructor of Online Database Searching in Marketing.  They are on the Board of the Shawnee Shoals Neighborhood Association and Karen is also the treasurer.   

Webinars

Thank you to all who joined us for our inaugural Keep Coldwater Clear Webinar on November 18, 2025

Links provided during the Webinar

Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership
https://midwestglaciallakes.org/resources/conservationplanner/
EGLE Nonpoint Source Program
https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/water-resources/nonpoint-source
The Michigan Shoreland Stewards Program
https://www.mishorelandstewards.org/
Wildflower Association of Michigan
https://wildflowersmich.org/business-directory/
Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership
https://www.shorelinepartnership.org/
Michigan State University (MSU Extension) Introduction to Lakes Online
https://www.canr.msu.edu/courses/introduction-to-lakes
Homegrown National Park Inc
https://homegrownnationalpark.org/
EPA Nonpoint Source Pollution
https://www.epa.gov/nps
​Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership - Michigan Certified Natural Shoreline Professionals - Listing
https://www.shorelinepartnership.org/find-a-shoreline-contractor.html
Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership – Native Plants
https://www.shorelinepartnership.org/find-native-plants.html
​
During the meeting, three presentations were given that focused on understanding and improving the health of Coldwater Lake.

The evening began with an update on the committee’s recent work and a review of current water-quality conditions in Coldwater Lake, presented by Margie Franker, Chair of the Lake Environment Improvement Committee.  This overview highlighted the monitoring results and what steps were already underway to protect the lake’s long-term health.

The second presentation examined how watersheds influence lake water quality. The watershed was described as a giant funnel—everything occurring on the surrounding land, including fertilizer use, stormwater runoff, and erosion, ultimately flowed toward the lake. While watershed activities determined what entered the funnel, the riparian zone—the final stretch before water reached the lake—dictated what actually arrived.

Shoreline owners’ actions at this final point play a crucial role in whether the lake receives clean, filtered water or excess nutrients and sediment.  Our third presentation provided best  practices for shoreline owners.  Both watershed and riparian levels were emphasized as essential for maintaining good water quality.

Two specialists contributed their expertise:
  • Julia Kirkwood from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) discussed watershed management and how it affected Coldwater Lake’s overall health.
  • Erick Elgin from Michigan State University Extension shared straightforward, practical steps shoreline owners could take to help keep the water clean and support healthy habitat.
Together, these presentations provided a clear picture of how individual and community actions had a meaningful impact on protecting Coldwater Lake for the future.
​

Presentations

Although the webinar recording was not captured as expected, we are pleased to provide a recorded version of The Current State of the Lake presentation. Using the session transcript, we have also recreated Julia Kirkwood’s Watershed presentation, Erick Elgin’s Best Practices for Shoreline Owners presentation, and the full Q&A session using AI voice software. All recordings are available below, and downloadable PDF files of all three presentations are also provided.​

Current State & Current Actions of Coldwater Lake
by Margie Franker, Chair of the Coldwater Lake Environment Improvement Committee

Best Practices for Lakefront Owners
by Erick Elgin, Michigan State University Extension

Watershed Management Planning
by Julia Kirkwood, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

November 18 2025 Webinar
Questions & Answer

Get Involved

You can get involved in lake improvement activities by volunteering for water monitoring and invasive weed watch,  plus many other roles to protect water quality.

Join Our Community

Become a Coldwater Lake Association Member.  Read about all of the membership benefits.  If you are already a member, Thank you for your Support.

Attend Our Webinars

Stay tuned for the date, time, and agenda for upcoming informational webinars or view past webinars and access the resources shared during those sessions.
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