Environmental studies of the Crystal Lake Watershed over the past 80 years have addressed short- and long-term impacts and future trends, and include water quality monitoring; geological, hydrological, and ecological surveys; fishery surveys; algae identifications; septic system assessments; and aerial, topographical, and land surveys. Options for wastewater collection and treatment for two contiguous watersheds were considered in a detailed facilities plan. Crystal Lake was the first EPA case study to receive a finalized Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of alternative waste treatment systems for rural lake projects. It is the location of an ongoing grant as part of the National Onsite Demonstration Project. The CLWA program builds on these studies. It involves both routine year-round monitoring of conventional environmental parameters and original scientific investigations of the Crystal Lake Watershed.

The CLWA also participates with the Benzie County Section of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, the Benzie/Leelanau County Public Health Department, and the Interlochen Arts Academy, as well as with other lakes, in joint programs of the Michigan Lake & Stream Associations, the North American Lake Management Society, the Michigan Sea Grant Program, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Active dialogue among scientific and community groups is important in building a broad committed base of support and joint participation.

The CLWA Program is integrated into nine components:

-Water Quality Survey: Water quality monitoring of the Crystal Lake Watershed.
-Secchi Disk Program: An annual program specific to water clarity.
-Water Quality Testing Program: Biannual determination of nine water quality parameters.
-Advanced Self-Help Program: An annual program specific to total phosphorus.
-Citizens' Lake Monitoring Program: A pilot workbook program with 17 Michigan lakes.
-Innovative Treatment: Support of demonstrations of processes for individual onsite wastewater treatment systems.
-Biological Survey: Monitoring of plankton, macrophytes, fish, etc., including zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil.
-Adjacent Watersheds: Studies in parallel with other watersheds in the region.
-Educational Programs: Hands-on experiences in water quality monitoring; "Eco-Explorations" with students.

The CLWF Program encompasses five "sampling regimes" within the Crystal Lake Watershed:

Deep-Lake: Open waters of the lake, including bottom sediments.
Near-Shore: Littoral zone about the lake perimeter.
Cold Creek: Locations throughout the major tributary.
Tributaries: Additional locations including minor tributaries and the outlet.
Miscellaneous Events: Selected natural and anthropogenic (manmade) events.

CLWF volunteers have conducted numerous surveys which have provided opportunities for students and interns to gain field experience in water quality monitoring. Physical, chemical, and biological parameters selected for monitoring in the CLWF Program are based on recognized importance and/or historic significance in past studies:

Physical: Water depth, Secchi disk depth, turbidity, air and water temperatures.
Chemical:DO, conductivity, pH, redox potential; ortho, soluble, and total phosphorus; dissolved and suspended solids; hardness, alkalinity, chloride, sulfate; ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, and organic nitrogen; and individual elements: aluminum, arsenic, calcium, copper, chromium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, lead, silica, sodium, zinc.
Biological: Algae, plankton, macrophytes, and other aquatic species, including exotics, and chlorophyll a.
Other: Rain, snowmelt, shoreline deposits, stream flows, soils, and sediments.

Monitoring equipment includes a differential global positioning system (DGPS) for sample locating, conventional water samplers, a sediment corer, plankton collection devices, and a multiparameter sampling probe (Hydrolab H20ª) with automatic data logger for uploading to a personal computer and an extensive database. Analyses have been performed during sampling (vertical profiles), at local laboratory facilities on the lake, at local schools, and at the Great Lakes Water Quality Laboratory, a local facility, following QA/QC procedures and standard methods.

References:

Daniels, Stacy L., and Thomas Osborn. 1996. Crystal Lake: Water Quality Monitoring, Report for 1994 and 1995. CLWF, P.O. Box 104, Beulah, MI 49617. 80 pp.
Daniels, Stacy L. 1994. "An 'Experience' in Water Quality Monitoring." CLWF, P.O. Box 104, Beulah, MI, 49617; 4 pp.
Crystal Lake Watershed Fund, Clean Water Committee of Crystal Lake, and Ad Hoc Committee. 1987. Crystal Lake-Life or Death. Benzie County, Michigan. 32 pp. (Also annual updates.)