From Michigan Department of Health and Human ServicesJuly 27, 2021
MDHHS CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112
MDARD CONTACT: Jennifer Holton, 517-284-5724
EGLE CONTACT: Hugh McDiarmid Jr., 517-230-7724
LANSING, Mich. - If you or your family are living near or visiting Michigan waters in summer or fall months it is important to be aware of the potential for harmful algal blooms (HABs).
HABs form due to a rapid overgrowth or bloom of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria are naturally present in lakes, rivers and ponds. Unfortunately, some cyanobacteria produce toxins, called cyanotoxins, that can be present in cyanobacterial blooms, which at higher levels can be harmful to people and animals.
HABs usually occur in Michigan May through October, most commonly in August and September. The occurrence of cyanobacteria and their toxins has been confirmed in lakes across Michigan in previous years, and elevated toxin levels have been documented in a small percentage of Michigan lakes. During 2020, 61 HABs in 35 Michigan counties were reported to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
"Before going in the water, we recommend Michiganders look for visible algal blooms or scums on any lake, and that people and pets stay out of water in areas that look affected," said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health for Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. "If you may have had contact with or swallowed water with a HAB and feel sick, call your doctor or Poison Control at 800-222-1222. If symptoms are severe, seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible."
What does a HAB look like?
HABs can look like algal scums or mats, spilled paint or pea soup, or colored streaks on the water's surface. Visit the HAB Picture Guide for examples of HABs and other algae and plants.
Blooms may last for days or sometimes weeks. Blooms can change in size, toxicity and location within the same day. They also may disappear on a waterbody, but then form at a later time.
What should people do if they think they have found a HAB?
Consult the HAB Picture Guide for examples of HABs and compare your sighting to other algae and plants found in lakes.
If you suspect you have found a HAB or have any suspicion:

• Do not let people, pets or livestock in the water or near the shore in affected areas.
• Unless the bloom covers a large part of the lake, you can still use any part of the lake that is not affected.
• Always rinse off people and pets after contact with any lake water.
• If there is a posted HAB advisory or closing, follow its instructions.
• Report suspected HABs to EGLE by e-mailing AlgaeBloom@Michigan.gov or calling 800-662-9278. If possible, include pictures of the suspected HAB.

What are the symptoms of HAB exposure?
Breathing in or swallowing water containing HABs and their toxins may cause the following symptoms: runny eyes or nose, asthma-like symptoms, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, numbness, headaches, dizziness or difficulty breathing. Skin contact can cause rashes, blisters and hives.
Should residents be concerned about threats to animal health?
Animals, especially dogs, can become ill or die after contact with HABs. Signs of illness can include vomiting, diarrhea, staggered walking and convulsions. Preventative measures for dogs include keeping them out of the water wherever surface scums or discolored water are visible, bringing along clean, fresh water for them to drink and rinsing them off after contact with any lake water. If a pet or livestock animal becomes sick after contact with water that may have a HAB, contact a veterinarian right away.
Illness in an animal due to exposure to a HAB is reportable to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). Cases can be reported by submitting a Reportable Disease Form, located at Michigan.gov/dvmresources under "Reportable Diseases," or by calling 800-292-3939 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What can people do to help prevent HABs from occurring?
Michigan residents should learn about nutrient pollution, such as excess nitrogen and phosphorus, to reduce and prevent HABs. Excess nutrients may come from detergents, sewers, fertilizers and malfunctioned septic systems.
Michiganders can decrease nutrients getting into the water by:

• Using phosphate-free detergents.
• Disposing of pet waste properly.
• Applying fertilizer only when necessary and applying the recommended amount according to label instructions. A buffer should be left when applying fertilizer near a lake or stream.
• Promoting the use of natural shoreline (as opposed to hardened shoreline) including growing native vegetation along the water's edge.
• Joining a local organization or like-minded residents to develop or update a watershed management plan (WMP) if one does not already exist or is out-of-date. A WMP identifies pollutants that are causing water quality problems, the sources of those pollutants and recommends actions that can be taken to reduce pollutant inputs into surface waters.  

Contacts for HAB questions

• More information on health effects, causes, and reports on the occurrence of HABs in Michigan lakes can be found at Michigan.gov/habs.
• For more information on HABs and your health, contact MDHHS at 800-648-6942.
• For more information on HABs and pets and livestock, contact MDARD at 800-292-3939.
• For more information on HABs and the environment, contact EGLE at 800-662-9278.

Unfortunately Red Woolfe park where our member meeting and picnic is tomorrow is pretty well flooded with all the rain.  And more coming tonight through tomorrow.  We will now be at the VFW pavilion in town like two and three years ago.  
LOWIA

A reminder that our annual member meeting with picnic will be Saturday July 17th at Red Woolfe park at the public beach in town. Start time is noon.  Also this year the board has decided to support businesses in town because of covid last year.  So, Hard Times restaurant in town will be catering our picnic this year.  We will need a head count for ordering food by Wed July 14th.  So please respond by email or call us.  Also there are 5 board positions open this year as some board members are leaving.  Consider a board position if you can.  We can surely use new people on our board.  At the member meeting there will be nominations for these positions and then voting.  Call or email any board member if you have questions about these board positions and what is required of them.  
LOWIA

WE DID IT!!!
First some thanks.  Thanks to the Lake of the Woods Association for sponsoring the parade, Jim Rau at Apollo Marine in Lawton MI for the prizes to be awarded, the Richter family for being Grand Marshal and leading the boats around the Lake before all the houses and the 5 judges, and the judges.  Virgillio family, Jeff Neubauer family, Dominic and Laurel Panico, Iwan family, and the Mahlberg family.  THANKS JUDGES.
Another successful boat parade, and here is the run down and final results.
We had 10 boats in the parade around the Lake, great themes this year and participation. 
First place, Reynolds family with a USA and paddle wheel theme. Uncle Sam and Statue of Liberty.  The decorating was very creative and all participants on the boat were awesome.
Second place, Boonstra family with a SWANTOON, who, by the way, we believe may have been attempting to sway the judges’ decisions by supplying, via air toss, to judge locations and other locations where large numbers of people were gathered to watch the parade, perfectly packaged Jello shots.  Being the registration/Grand Marshal boat, we were supplied with a taste as well.  And buoy were they tasty.
Third place, YOUNKERS with a theme that we all got used to last year during Covid.  The popular ZOOM meeting forum, the now well known “working from home”
Fourth place, Kasha and her Pirates who were looking for someone to give up the BOOTY  Wonder if they found anyone? Pretty sure we saw one BOOTY on a white Zodiac boat…
Fifth place, Schultz place with SUPERHEROES.  Marvel comics rule.
​And more. . . 
Tiffany and family with Kiddie Pool
Morgan family, wore their shower caps around the whole lake and not one fell off.
Bill Neubauer family with Pirates of Lake of the Woods theme
Howard family and the Shark Attack.
John Neubauer with Blue Lives Matter. 
THANKS EVERYONE, and see you all next year or at the member picnic July 17th
Check our pictures below of this extremely successful event!!!

​The Lake of the Woods Improvement Association will again sponsor the July 4 decorated boat parade around Lake of the Woods.  Beginning promptly at 6:00 pm for a 6:30 start.
 
Lake residents and other boaters are encouraged to decorate their pontoon boat or other watercraft for an evening of fun prior to the fireworks display that will be presented later that same evening.  There is no particular theme and the parade is open to anyone.  Use your skill and creative talent to come up with a prize winning entry or just participate for the fun of it.  Remember, we are honoring American independence, so get the creative juices flowing.  Some things that have special appeal to the judges include:  costumes, music, lights, animation and special effects.
 
Parade participants are requested to muster and register at the north side of the lake.  Look for the boat with the Grand Marshal banner to receive your registration number and instructions at 6:00 pm, but NO LATER THAN 6:15 FOR A PROMPT 6:30 BOAT PARADE START.  
 
Merchandise certificates courtesy of High’s Marine, Apollo Marine and the Lake of the Woods Improvement Association will be awarded to the top 4 boats.  We look forward to your participation in making this the best Boat Parade EVER.  Please join us.  Let’s try and make this the year that will top 2009, when we had 20 boats participate!
 
PLEASE JOIN US THIS YEAR !!!!!!