Michigan’s ‘slice of the Caribbean’ Torch Lake suffering algae outbreak

Torch Lake

Torch Lake sandbar without any boats, June 30, 2020. (Garret Ellison | MLive).Garret Ellison | MLive

CENTRAL LAKE, MI – An outbreak of brown algae is tainting the otherwise incredibly clear – and cold – blue-green waters of Torch Lake, a glacier-carved gem set into the lush land of northwest lower Michigan.

The Antrim County lake is often compared to the Caribbean for its crystal-clear, jewel-like shades of blue and green. The brown algae outbreak is tainting that picturesque beauty and covering the lake’s sugar-sand bottom with thick mushy, squishy mats, The Associated Press reports.

RELATED: Torch Lake is Michigan’s own slice of the Caribbean

The “golden-brown algae” was first noticed about a decade ago, said Rick Welsh, a part-time lakeshore resident and member of the Torch Lake Protection Alliance.

“It’s oozy, yucky and mucky,” Welsh said. “It easily comes up when disturbed.”

Results are due in the fall from the alliance’s recent investigations into the algae, he said.

The algae appears to be non-harmful, according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

Torch Lake is part of a 75-mile string of northwest lower Michigan lakes, streams and rivers called the Chain of Lakes that flows into Lake Michigan’s East Grand Traverse Bay. The Chain includes Elk Lake, Lake Bellaire, Lake Skegemog, Clam Lake, Intermediate Lake and others.

During an outbreak in 2015, the brown algae was also spotted by air in Lake Charlevoix, Lake Bellaire, Elk Lake, Walloon Lake and Grand Traverse Bay.

Torch Lake is Michigan’s largest inland lake by water volume; it has a surface area of more than 18,000 acres and a maximum depth of nearly 300 feet. There are 48 public access points scattered along 41 miles of shoreline.

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