News

1. What is GBA? It stands for Golden Brown Algae. In “everyday” language, it is a 1-to-2 inch thick mat of brown algae that lies on the bottom of the lake, generally in water 5 to 20 feet deep. Technically, GBA is photosynthetic benthic diatoms.  Although they look the same to us, the GBA is actually hundreds of different diatom species.
2. Is it toxic? It is not known to be toxic or harmful to humans, and the effects on the overall ecosystem are simply not known. Small changes to ecosystems often have devastating consequences, however. For this reason, fishermen on Torch are very concerned.
3. Is GBA only in Torch? No, GBA is in many lakes in Michigan and around the world. We especially notice it because our lake is (was?) so crystal clear.
4. Why is/was Torch Lake so clear? Torch is what scientist’s call  a phosphorus limiting lake, which they say is what makes it so clear. What it means is that the bottom sediments normally absorb what little phosphorus enters the lake. Algae need both nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients to proliferate.
5. What causes GBA? Nitrogen and phosphorus are generally considered contributing culprits. Torch Lake’s shoreline is now almost full of homes with septic systems and fertilized lawns. Large sand bar crowds have also added unfiltered “pollutants” (read feces and urine). While we can’t prevent people from enjoying our lake, we can certainly do our part to minimize its desecration. And we’ve seen much of this development having occurred in the past 20 to 30 years.
6. So, are we responsible for putting nitrogen and phosphorus into the lake? Yes, we are a significant contributor. Nitrogen and phosphorus are found in urine and feces, dishwasher and laundry detergents, and other household products (let’s use natural cleaners, people.). Septic systems break down sewage, but you are still left with these two elements that discharge from your septic field into shallow groundwater and eventually flow into the lake. In addition, nitrogen and phosphorus are found in lawn and agricultural fertilizers. When it rains, they sink down through the sandy soils into the groundwater or flow directly to the lake from surface runoff.
7. If we stop phosphorus from going into the lake will the algae go away? Scientists can’t say for sure. There may be a number of things causing the lake to change. Certainly, though, scientists believe phosphorus is a large part of the problem, as it’s a key nutrient for GBA.
8. What is TLPA doing about the GBA issue? TLPA started a first-of-its-kind, large-scale, shallow water study in 2020. We hired both water chemistry and algae experts to collect and test water and algae samples.
9. What is different about this new study? This study sampled a number of shallow water locations around the lake, including locations where creeks and streams enter Torch. The sampling was conducted last year in spring, summer and fall. Studies will need to be conducted  for several more years so we can paint an accurate picture of the lake’s chemistry.
10. How much does this new study cost? It is expensive but so worth it to determine more precisely what we can do to Keep Torch Lake Blue. Last year, TLPA spent well over $35,000 in 2020. Future studies will cost considerably more. We will need contributions in the coming years to ensure we are making the right decisions and spearheading the right efforts to protect the natural beauty and cleanliness of Torch.
11. Tell us about the experts. Environmental Consulting & Technology, Inc., (ECT) of Traverse City did the water sampling. Great Lakes Environmental did the water Chemistry analysis,  Phyco Tech Inc., of St. Joseph, MI,  analyzed the GBA. Dr. Ann St. Amand of PhycoTech is one of the most respected algae experts in the country.
12. Why aren’t government agencies doing anything? There is no known immediate human health threat, so the EPA, EGLE, and DNR are not currently involved, and local county and townships do not address these types of algae issues. Although the EPA & EGLE are also tasked with protecting the environment, their budgets have been cut. So, common sense says it is unlikely that there will be help on the horizon.

PLUS, Antrim County only assures septic systems are -INSTALLED correctly, but does not regulate the breakdown of sewage to nitrogen and phosphorus. AND, Michigan is the only state in the country with no laws regarding septic systems maintenance. Some communities have or are considering installing municipal sewer systems, thus eliminating the need for septic systems. Some communities in Michigan have also banned the use of lawn fertilizers.

IN SUMMARY: The experts do not know enough about the “chemistry” of Torch Lake nor do they know enough about GBA.  In 2020, TLPA started this large-scale study to come up with a “picture” of the nutrients entering Torch Lake. The testing needs to continue in order to see how the lake is changing. We are excited about this program and will let you know any results as we receive them. The 164 page report from the 2020 testing is available and will be posted on our website: torchlakeprotectectionalliance.org.

WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW? STOP FERTILIZING your lawns, have your SEPTIC SYSTEM PUMPED AND CHECKED EVERY 3 TO 5 YEARS, PLANT a BUFFER ZONE near the lake. SUPPORT and HELP FUND the testing study that TLPA has begun in order to KEEP TORCH LAKE BLUE!