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Incorporated in 1974, Reynolds Lakes Corporation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit governed by voluntary board members who own property on or near Lower Reynolds Lake and Upper Reynolds Lake in Lawrence Michigan. The purpose is for the preservation and the protection of the ecology of Reynolds Lakes and for the beautification and mutual enjoyment of Reynolds Lakes on behalf of all persons living on or near Reynolds Lakes and to promote the territory by proper use of the lakes, waters and adjacent land.
Stop Fertilizing Lakefront Lawns
Stop Fertilizing Lakefront Lawns
Why Stop Fertilizing Lakefront Lawns?
Algae Fuel: Phosphorus and nitrogen are primary nutrients that feed algae, causing rapid growth (blooms).
Dead Zones: When algae die and decompose, they consume oxygen in the water, which can kill fish and other aquatic life.
One Pound Rule: Just one pound of phosphorus can create up to 500 pounds of wet algae, severely impacting water quality.
Often Unnecessary: Many established soils already contain sufficient phosphorus, making fertilizer applications unnecessary
Critical Guidelines for Lakefront Lawns
Skip Fertilizer Entirely: Maintain a natural, organic lawn to keep the lake healthy.
Phosphorus-Free: Use only phosphorus-free products. Phosphorus is the primary nutrient causing algae blooms and can be restricted by local ordinance.
No-Fertilize Buffer Zone: Maintain a 15-to-30-foot, unfertilized buffer strip along the shoreline to act as a filter.
Skip Summer: Avoid fertilizing from June 1 to September 30. Summer rains frequently wash nutrients directly into waterways, and grass does not need it during this period.
Slow-Release Only: Select fertilizers with slow-release (water-insoluble) nitrogen to ensure nutrients are absorbed by the grass rather than leaching into the lake.
Soil Test First: Conduct a soil test to confirm if nutrients are actually needed before applying.
Stop Before Rain: Never apply fertilizer right before a rainstorm, as it will wash directly into the lake.
Natural Alternatives to Fertilizer
Grasscycling: Leave grass clippings on the lawn. They break down and return essential nutrients (nitrogen) back to the soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilizer by up to 25%.
Mow High: Keep grass at 3 to 3.5 inches, which allows for deeper root systems and keeps the lawn healthier.
Create a Buffer Strip: Leave a 5-to-10-foot, or ideally up to 25-foot, unmanicured buffer zone of native plants, shrubs, and grasses between your lawn and the water's edge. This acts as a filter for runoff.
Simple things YOU can do to keep our lakes clean and healthy!
Simple things YOU can do to keep our lakes clean and healthy!
- Pump your septic system every 3-5 years
- Leave trees and natural vegetation at the shoreline (or plant the area with native plants)
- Don't use fertilizers near the edge of the lake
- Clean up pet waste
- Don't mow near the edge of the lake
- Reduce hard surfaces (driveways, patios, buildings)
- Plant bare areas of your yard so soil won't erode into the lake
- Replace lawn grass with native wildflowers and grasses
- Don't dump leaves or grass clippings into the lake
- If you have a boat that you move between different bodies of water, clean it between uses to prevent the spread of invasive species
Lake Living Tips (Keep Our Lakes and Rivers Clean) Van Buren Conservation District
Basics: Erosion at the Shoreline
Basics: Erosion at the Shoreline
Natural Erosion vs. Accelerated Erosion
Shorelines change naturally over time because the shoreline is constantly being bombarded by waves or ice movement. In natural conditions this is typically a very slow process over a long period of time.
However, human activities have changed this balance which accelerates the natural erosion processes - this is called accelerated erosion.
An eroding shoreline can be the result of natural or human elements, can be site-specific or widespread, and may have more than one cause. In addition the causes of shoreline erosion may differ because of a property's location on the lake, water level changes and season.
There are many causes of accelerated erosion but the two most destructive causes are:
1) Native vegetation removal - land and aquatic.
2) Hardening of the shoreline (example: seawalls).
Learn more at Shoreline Partnership
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