Storm water management, originally a practice designed to control local flooding, has actually increased the water quality problem by increasing water flow and quantity to our lake and streams at levels that exceed the natural capacity of the system. Storm water runoff has becomes a concern in Ruddiman, Ryerson and Bear Creeks because hydrologic flows are becoming unstable. Unstable hydrology can occur when impervious surfaces are developed or when natural stream beds are channelized. These changes increase the rate at which water enters the system, and scours out stream bed habitats and causes stream bank erosion. Both the amount of water entering a system and what is in the water can impact water quality, wildlife and even human health. Most of our historically significant sources of pollution from “point” sources (usually industrial discharge pipes) have been identified. However, pollution from “non-point” sources like residential and urban areas that include oil, gas, and grease from streets and parking lots can decrease water quality and contribute to contamination of sediments in Muskegon Lake. Increased flow also diminishes the natural filtering ability of the landscape since the water does not have time to seep into the ground. This movement into the soil (rather than over it) would normally allow for groundwater recharge; natural filtering of water; and a decrease in flooding, erosion, and sedimentation.

Another factor largely impacting the quality of water in storm water systems is the misuse of storm water sewers. Many people are unaware that street drains are not connected to treatment facilities. Anything that goes down the drain is directed to the nearest natural water body. What goes down the drain empties into your local stream, and eventually into Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan. Muskegon Lake also faces a seasonal loading of salt during the winter because of road maintenance.

Although no direct measurements were made as of the 1994 Muskegon Lake RAP, phytoplankton and zooplankton populations (free-swimming or free-floating algae and animals) in Muskegon Lake were likely impaired in the past from 1) discharges of toxic chemicals that reduced survival and growth of certain planktonic organisms and 2) excessive nutrient inputs that stimulated and supported growth of certain nuisance blue-green algae.

Since 1994, residents around Muskegon Lake and Bear Lake have noticed an increasing presence of localized algal blooms. An over abundance of aquatic plant growth (eutrophication) can become unsightly for people and restrict recreational uses. It also means an over abundance of plants that decompose. Decomposition uses oxygen available for fish and other living organisms. Deep areas in Muskegon Lake have low oxygen levels and limited life. In addition, human contact with degraded surface water can become a public health concern during certain conditions.

Wetlands are increasingly considered for their use as stormwater filters, but like open water, they too can become degraded and lose their capacity to function when unnaturally high levels of polluted stormwater enters them. Wetlands are characterized by plant and soil types. They are often (but not always) adjacent to lakes and streams and usually have wet conditions during at least part of the year. Wetlands are recognized as important natural systems that filter, absorb, and clean water. They are extremely important in preventing flooding and in maintaining hydrologic stability as they soak up, hold, and slow down the release water before it enters Muskegon Lake. Areas along the lake also buffer the energy transported through wave action and shoreline vegetation prevents nearshore sedimentation. Manufactured stormwater filtration systems containing activated charcoal. They can be installed right into storm drain collection pipes to capture oil, grease, gasoline constituents, organically bound metals, and other pollutants.

In 1995, the Muskegon Conservation District contracted a watershed study to Grand Valley State University in order to measure inputs of nutrients, heavy metals, oil and grease to Muskegon Lake. Among other findings, the 1995 study revealed that zooplankton and bottom dwelling insect populations near storm water outfalls were locally impaired.