Ecosystem Health

The Ecosystem of Mullett Lake ecompasses the entire Watershed area including:

Water Quality of the Lake, Rivers and Streams
Fishery Management

Mullett Lake appears to have become more oligotrophic: clearer, fewer nutrients, but maintaining high dissolved oxygen levels.

Excerpt:

TSI values do not measure water quality, but simply place the lake on a scale of biological productivity. Oligotrophic lakes are characteristically deep, clear, nutrient poor, and with abundant oxygen. On the other end of the spectrum, eutrophic lakes are shallow, nutrient rich and full of productivity, which when excessive can lead to oxygen depletion. Mesotropic lakes lie somewhere in between and are moderately productive.

Trophic status index numbers show that Mullett Lake is in the oligotrophic category (low productivity). Recently, since 2000, TSI scores have dropped considerably and now fall consistently in the 25 to 30 range. Mullett Lake appears to have become more oligotrophic: clearer, fewer nutrients, but maintaining high dissolved oxygen levels.

Overall, data show that Mullett Lake has exceptionally high quality waters. Without dedicated volunteers, we would have less data, so we would like to send out a big “thank you” to all those that have helped with the program. We would also like to encourage others to become involved with our volunteer program to help us monitor and protect the aquatic treasures of Northern Michigan.

If you would like to get involved, please contact the program coordinator, Kevin Cronk, at (231) 347-1181 ext. 109 or by e-mailing kevin@watershedcouncil.org.