Welcome to the Mona Lake Improvement Association
The MLIA is a non-profit, volunteer organization with the mission of enhancing Mona Lake and the Mona Lake Channel.
Weed-Control Spray
Safe annual weed control spray helps to keep Mona Lake weeds at bay.
Channel Dredging
We regularly dredge the channel connecting Mona Lake to Lake Michigan
100% Volunteer Led
All funding and staffing is from volunteer citizens and residents on Mona Lake.
About Us
The Mona Lake Improvement Association, or MLIA, is a non-profit, volunteer organization with the mission of enhancing Mona Lake and the Mona Lake Channel. Regularly required projects include spraying to control weeds and dredging the channel to Lake Michigan. Funding is from voluntary contributions, primarily from lakeshore property owners and also from the City. Staffing is from volunteer citizens / residents. The MLIA works closely with the Mona Lake Watershed Council. MLIA concentrates on activities within Mona Lake while the Watershed Council concentrates on upstream remediation efforts.
Annual use of funds for weed treatment has been between $14,000 and $18,000 per year. We anticipate slightly higher expenses for treatment as the water levels drop, working with the Watershed Council on the inbound water flow and a proactive approach to weed control have helped improve water quality greatly.
The MLIA would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all local organizations, companies and individuals that support the MLIA.
Board Members
President:
Tom Hillstrom
Vice President:
John Workman
Treasurer:
Ken Harris
Secretary:
Carol Mogdis
Members:
Wes Eklund
Jim Kanaar
Steve Laham
Dan Olson
Don Trygstad
Annual Contribution Letter to Lake Residents
A sincere thank you to all local organizations, companies, and individuals that support the MLIA.
Contributions can be made to:
Mona Lake Improvement Association
P.O. Box No. 4143
Muskegon, MI 49444
Mona Lake Channel
In 1977, MLIA funded construction of the present steel channel walls. But low water levels can create a situation where it is not viable to clear the outlet with simple dredging. The channel arms do not extend far enough at low levels, and sand fills the mouth of the channel. Also, the exit from the channel places boats in the surf zone and waves can force them sideways. Annual use of funds for channel dredging and cleanup has been between $25,000 and $50,000, based on abnormally high or low water levels.
Windblown migration of beach sand is becoming a perennial problem. This Fall we installed snow fencing on both sides of the channel to reduce the deposition into the channel. The photo above shows the fences being installed. We will continue to monitor the situation
Bylaws
OF MONA LAKE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
(A Michigan Tax-Exempt Foundation)
Through active management and community stewardship, Mona Lake continues to thrive as a vibrant, productive, and enjoyable lake for all who use it.
Watershed & Water Quality
The Mona Lake Watershed spans over 45,500 acres and covers 2,400 acres of lake and pond area. The majority of the Watershed lies within Muskegon County, with the exception of a small section of the northeast corner located in Newaygo County. It contains almost 23 miles of natural streams and creeks, with almost 40 miles of maintained drains. In the watershed, 23,600 acres is undeveloped consisting of forest, open fields, wetland, water, or dunes (roughly 52% of the watershed), 7,500 acres are used for agricultural development, and 14,500 acres are used for residential, commercial, and industrial use.
Mona Lake Watershed Council was formed in 2002 with the simple goal to improve water quality within the watershed. The largest and most recent project was to apply a three year Alum treatment to cap the bottom phosphorus from releasing into the water column. This proved to be a significant benefit to the quality of Mona Lake and preventing harmful algae blooms. MLWC continues to sample/monitor the lake each year.
More information can be found on the website www.monalakewatershed.org
Please consider a contribution
Mona Lake Improvement Association
P.O. Box No. 4143
Muskegon, MI 49444
Learn More About Improvements to Mona Lake & How You Can Help.