Letters to the editor may be sent to [email protected]. All opinions stated in letters to the editor and guest columns are those of the author and should not be construed as an endorsement by Lowell’s First Look.
To the Editor of First Look,
Lowell is a gem on the Flat River in Michigan and has a rich, historic legacy.
It is a destination for dining at its distinctive and culturally varied restaurants.
It is a destination for using the water of the Flat River north of the dam for Showboat stage concerts, the annual Riverwalk Festival, boating, kayaking, or just strolling along the riverwalk and enjoying the view and wildlife.
Nonetheless, these activities are being made more difficult and unpleasant.
2 years ago (2022 the river and the east channel of the river began to gradually change.
The summer of 2022, the north bend of the river by the Scout Camp became carpeted by a thick river moss. This resolved itself by late summer.
Then last summer (2023) the east channel north of the Showboat and boat launch became clogged by weeds, water lilies, algae, and scum to the extent that it became almost impassable. The area by the kayak and boat launch and Showboat were obstructed by this vegetation causing it to be nearly unusable, destructive to watercraft, and became unsightly.
Nothing was done to address or solve this problem. We are now entering the summer of 2024 and the vegetation is exploding already mid to late May.
This is an ugly and ever growing blemish on our attractive and vibrant downtown and viewed by all that use our shoreline.
Solutions can be found to control this invasion and this community deserves to “put its best foot forward”.
Diane Smith
City of Lowell resident since 2002
Editor’s Note: The photos below accompanied the letter.
Here we have a sign of the impending collapse of civilization represented in a letter to the editor submitted by a recreational boater. The fertilizer-rich environment in the midwestern agricultural belt has been causing these excess algal blooms every summer, especially in the Great Lakes and associated waterways. On the other hand, lily pads and other aquatic plants, which cause problems for boaters and used to be routinely cut, are now allowed to thrive in our waterways, which is a step toward better stewardship. But inconvenient for people who expect the right to unimpeded internal combustion motorized recreation.
This person is demanding weed and algae control measures, which means adding chemicals to the waterways and cutting the lily pads out. These measures would add decomposing organic waste to an already overloaded system for the convenience of recreation and some stark riparian aesthetic.
It is related to collapse because this is an excellent example of the petty concerns of the people who are unwittingly and overwhelmingly killing us all.
“I don’t understand how ecology works and I’m big mad. Let me speak to this river’s manager! Don’t you who I am?? and now I’ve been out here for hours unclogging my boat motor!? The world exists to cater to my whim!!”
I am in the same boat (sorry, I had to) with Bruce on this. Does the author have any kind of action plan. With all due respect to Bruce, bringing this to the attention of the City Council would not be a direction I would take with this. As Morgan noted in her letter above, she contacted the State of Michigan (MDEQ). They are the controlling body that would have the final word, and probably the initial word and every word in between, on anything that is to be done with a river in MI.
Diane- The problem you identify is one we face upriver of the Fallasburg dam on the Flat as well. It also can be seen on the Thornapple River near Cascade Road, and on rivers all over our region. My husband and I live on the river, and last summer I took photos like you did and contacted the MDEQ for advice. Their response was that the growth shows a healthy river for what lives in it. Chemical treatments are extremely problematic, very costly and not recommended (especially for those of us with wells), and trimming or pulling from the roots only helps spread the problem. I’m disappointed too: it can be smelly as the season progresses and the weeds clog boat propellers. It’s unfortunate for humans, but like other effects of our warming water, ground and air, calls for us to adapt. I’ve taken up tubing and will likely buy kayaks.
Diane, you state “Solutions can be found to control this invasion,” yet you share no ideas. What do you think are some solutions, and what do you feel is most appropriate? How best to implement? Pay for it?
As an avid river user I agree the algae and weed issues are discouraging. I’m very interested in sustainable, affordable, long-term solutions. I appreciate you starting a dialog that might lead there. Perhaps addressing City Council could be a start?