The first watercraft wash station in Southwest Michigan is in operation at Prairieville Township's Upper Crooked Lake launch site, constructed by volunteers from the lake community.

 

"Our lake has five aquatic invasive species," said Mic Mutschler, president of the Delton Crooked Lake Association.  Eurasian Water Milfoil, Curlyleaf Pondweed, Starry Stonewort, Cabomba and Phragmites. “That's more than any other lake in this area and we needed to do something to at least slow down the introduction of new non-natives."

 

Recreational boaters are the primary carriers of invasive species from one lake to another.  "And, the research consistently verifies, that the most effective control we have right now is to power wash possibly contaminated boats prior to their launching," said project volunteer John Hoek.

 

A study at the launch site last summer found about 12 percent of the watercraft launched were not properly cleaned, drained and dried.  "That's about seventy boats per year," lake resident Kathy Mutschler said. "And, the scary part is that it only takes one to introduce the next invasive."

 

Prairieville Township supported the study financially and also the subsequent findings that clearly showed the best way to control further introduction of harmful plants and animals was to build a watercraft wash station.

 

"It just made environmental, recreational and economic sense to do so," said Supervisor of Prairieville Township Jim Stoneburner. "Then my board went on to adopt one of the strongest aquatic invasive species prevention ordinances in the state.  We hope to be a model for other townships."

 

Under the ordinance, when the wash station is staffed, all boats entering the launch site must be visually inspected for the presence of possible contamination.  Self-wash equipment is available during non-manned hours. //

The boats must also wash before exiting the launch site.  "This is just being a good neighbor,” Jim Minich said. "We don't want to send our invasives to our neighbors."

 

Mary Meagher, also a lakefront volunteer, said the response of launch site users has been very positive. "We use a variety of awareness and educational materials to help folks better understand what we are doing and why.  It's amazing how a little information can have such an immediate impact."

 

"We're very pleased that our lake residents took the initiative to deal with the aquatic invasive species problem," township Clerk Ted DeVries said.  "We look forward to continuing our support of their prevention efforts." 

 

Hoek said the estimated annual operational amount isn’t available since some factors, such as staffing hours, aren’t known yet. They intend to apply for a Michigan DEQ grant during the next funding cycle to help determine the effectiveness of the wash station.       

Funding was provided by the Prairieville Township Parks and Recreation Commission, the Delton Crooked Lake Association, and private donors, as well as the township board.