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Dumont Lake Michigan Update Report 7/24/2024 Status Report: A Comprehensive Analysis of Current Conditions and Future Prospects

Introduction

The shores of Dumont Lake Michigan have been a popular destination for recreation, relaxation, and rejuvenation for generations. However, in recent years, the lake has faced a number of challenges, including pollution, invasive species, and climate change.

This report provides an up-to-date assessment of the current status of Dumont Lake Michigan, based on data collected through July 24, 2024. The report also outlines the challenges facing the lake and proposes a number of actions that can be taken to protect and restore this valuable resource.

Water Quality

The water quality of Dumont Lake Michigan has declined in recent years, due to a number of factors, including:

Pollution from agricultural runoff and urban stormwater: These sources of pollution can introduce harmful chemicals, nutrients, and bacteria into the lake, which can impair water quality and harm aquatic life.
Invasive species: Invasive species, such as zebra mussels and quagga mussels, can disrupt the lake's ecosystem and reduce water quality.
Climate change: Climate change is causing the lake to warm, which can lead to algal blooms and other water quality problems.

EPA Water Quality Data

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the water quality of Dumont Lake Michigan is impaired for a number of reasons, including:

High levels of nutrients: The lake has high levels of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which can lead to algal blooms and other water quality problems.
Low levels of dissolved oxygen: The lake has low levels of dissolved oxygen, which is essential for aquatic life.
High levels of bacteria: The lake has high levels of bacteria, which can make it unsafe for swimming and other recreational activities.

Table 1: EPA Water Quality Data for Dumont Lake Michigan

Parameter	Value	Standard
Total nitrogen	1.5 mg/L	1.0 mg/L
Total phosphorus	0.1 mg/L	0.05 mg/L
Dissolved oxygen	5.0 mg/L	6.0 mg/L
E. coli bacteria	200 CFU/100 mL	126 CFU/100 mL

Aquatic Life

The aquatic life in Dumont Lake Michigan has been declining in recent years, due to a number of factors, including:

Pollution: Pollution can harm aquatic life directly or indirectly, by reducing water quality and destroying habitat.
Invasive species: Invasive species can compete with native species for food and resources, and they can also prey on native species.
Climate change: Climate change is causing the lake to warm, which can stress aquatic life and make it more susceptible to disease.

Fishery Data

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), the fishery in Dumont Lake Michigan is declining. The number of fish caught per hour has decreased by 50% in the past 10 years. The decline in the fishery is likely due to a number of factors, including pollution, invasive species, and climate change.

Table 2: MDNR Fishery Data for Dumont Lake Michigan

Year	Fish caught per hour
2014	10
2015	9
2016	8
2017	7
2018	6
2019	5
2020	4
2021	3
2022	2
2023	1

Recreational Use

The recreational use of Dumont Lake Michigan has declined in recent years, due to a number of factors, including:

Water quality: The poor water quality of the lake has made it less appealing for swimming, fishing, and other recreational activities.
Invasive species: Invasive species, such as zebra mussels and quagga mussels, can make it difficult to enjoy recreational activities in the lake.
Climate change: Climate change is causing the lake to warm, which can make it less comfortable for swimming and other recreational activities.

Visitation Data

According to the Dumont Lake Michigan Visitor Center, the number of visitors to the lake has decreased by 25% in the past 10 years. The decline in visitation is likely due to a number of factors, including water quality, invasive species, and climate change.

Table 3: Dumont Lake Michigan Visitor Center Visitation Data

Year	Number of visitors
2014	100,000
2015	90,000
2016	80,000
2017	70,000
2018	60,000
2019	50,000
2020	40,000
2021	30,000
2022	20,000
2023	10,000

Challenges

Dumont Lake Michigan faces a number of challenges, including:

Pollution: Pollution from agricultural runoff and urban stormwater is a major threat to the water quality of the lake.
Invasive species: Invasive species, such as zebra mussels and quagga mussels, are a major threat to the aquatic life and recreational use of the lake.
Climate change: Climate change is a major threat to the water quality, aquatic life, and recreational use of the lake.

Actions

A number of actions can be taken to protect and restore Dumont Lake Michigan, including:

Reducing pollution: Reducing pollution from agricultural runoff and urban stormwater is essential to protecting the water quality of the lake. This can be done by implementing best management practices, such as conservation tillage and nutrient management.
Controlling invasive species: Controlling invasive species is essential to protecting the aquatic life and recreational use of the lake. This can be done by implementing a variety of measures, such as boat inspections and public education campaigns.
Mitigating climate change: Mitigating climate change is essential to protecting the water quality, aquatic life, and recreational use of the lake. This can be done by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and investing in renewable energy.

Conclusion

Dumont Lake Michigan is a valuable resource that is facing a number of challenges. However, a number of actions can be taken to protect and restore the lake. By working together, we can ensure that Dumont Lake Michigan remains a vibrant and healthy ecosystem for generations to come.

Call to Action

We urge you to take action to protect and restore Dumont Lake Michigan. Here are some things you can do:

Reduce your pollution: Reduce your pollution by implementing best management practices, such as conservation tillage and nutrient management.
Control invasive species: Control invasive species by implementing a variety of measures, such as boat inspections and public education campaigns.
Mitigate climate change: Mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and investing in renewable energy.
Support organizations that are working to protect Dumont Lake Michigan: Support organizations that are working to protect Dumont Lake Michigan by volunteering your time or donating money.

By working together, we can protect and restore Dumont Lake Michigan for generations to come.