Please do not blow or rake your leaves into Manistee Lake. Although not illegal, it is a form of littering that is discourteous to neighbors and it is harmful to the lake’s ecosystem.
Leaves blown into the lake rarely settle at the shoreline of origin. They are carried by wind and current to other locations before they reach bottom. In coves, it is usually the few lots at the back of the cove that receive the leaf debris. They are unsightly and over time, sedimentation buildup will cause loss of water depth and will leave a squishy, mucky bottom.
Decaying leaves release nutrients, primarily carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous. These nutrients are great for soil but excess nutrients are a pollutant to lakes.. These nutrients, especially phosphorous, are a fertilizer for milfoil and algae, promoting their growth.
Similarly, excessive nutrient levels can contribute to low dissolved oxygen levels by causing abundant growths of phytoplankton (microscopic plants and algae). Living phytoplankton may deplete oxygen levels during the night and as the phytoplankton die; decomposition of the organic material by bacteria consumes oxygen.
Let’s all be good neighbors and good stewards of our lake’s ecosystem by not blowing leaves into the lake. Instead, please consider collecting and finely mulching your leaves and then spreading them across your yard so that their nutrients can be returned to your soil. Mulched leaves are great for your lawn, just not for our lake
