Decoding your 2026 Shoreline Survey Results

By Laura Morris
Director of Outreach and Community Engagement

This summer, the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council (TOMWC) and Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy (WLAC) staff will be conducting a comprehensive shoreline survey of the entire Walloon Lake shoreline. Shoreline surveys have been conducted every five years or so since 1998. Walloon Lake is one of the most altered lakes in Northern Michigan, with 81% of its shoreline modified and 44% of parcels showing Cladophora algae, according to the 2020 survey. These levels place Walloon among the highest?risk lakes in the region. Because shoreline conditions directly influence erosion, water clarity, nutrient loading, and fish and wildlife habitat, understanding your individual results is essential to protecting the lake’s long?term health.

When your 2026 shoreline survey results arrive later this year, you’ll receive a personalized snapshot of how your property interacts with Walloon Lake and how small choices on land can ripple into big impacts on water quality. The survey is not an inspection, and it’s not a pass?fail test. It’s a tool for understanding, learning, and taking meaningful steps toward stewardship.

This guide will help you interpret your score and understand what each part of the assessment means so you can see where your property is already supporting lake health and where small improvements can make a meaningful difference.

What the Survey Measures

Every shoreline parcel is evaluated from the water by trained TOMWC and WLAC staff following a standardized scientific protocol. Surveyors will travel in kayaks as close to the shoreline as possible (usually within 20 feet) and document features that influence water quality, habitat, and erosion risk.

Your results will include several key indicators:

• Greenbelt quality
• Cladophora (algae) presence and density
• Erosion signs and severity
• Shoreline alterations such as seawalls, riprap, or beach sanding

These categories mirror the same parameters used in previous surveys, allowing WLAC and TOMWC to track changes over time.

Greenbelt

A greenbelt is the strip of natural vegetation between lawn and lake. It is one of the most important factors in shoreline health. This vegetation filters runoff, stabilizes soil, and supports wildlife. Surveyors measure both length (how much of your shoreline has vegetation) and depth (how far that vegetation extends inland). Each is scored separately and then combined into a total score from 0 to 7.

• 0–2: Poor
• 3–4: Moderate
• 5–6: Good
• 7: Excellent

If your score is lower than you expected, don’t worry! Greenbelts are one of the easiest shoreline features to improve. Even adding a 10–15 foot buffer of native plants can dramatically reduce nutrient runoff and erosion.

Cladophora (Algae)

Cladophora is a filamentous green algae that grows on hard surfaces like rocks, wood, or gravel. Its presence can indicate elevated nutrients entering the lake from shoreline sources. Surveyors categorize growth from Very Light (VL) to Very Heavy (VH).

A small amount of algae is normal. Consistent or heavy growth, however, may suggest nutrient inputs from fertilizers, septic systems, or stormwater runoff. Your report will note both the density and length of shoreline affected.

Erosion

Erosion is assessed by looking for bare soil, exposed roots, undercut banks, slumping sod, or sediment deposits. These signs help identify where wave energy, runoff, or shoreline alterations may be destabilizing the bank. Erosion is recorded with estimates of its extent and relative severity, along with notes on possible causes.

If your parcel shows erosion, solutions may include:

• Expanding your greenbelt
• Replacing hardened structures with naturalized shoreline practices
• Reducing foot traffic or mowing near the water
• Installing bioengineering features like coir logs or native plantings

Shoreline Alterations

Alterations include seawalls, riprap, beach sanding, permanent docks, groins, and other hardened structures. These features are documented using standardized abbreviations (SB for steel bulkhead or seawall, RR for rock riprap, etc.).

Alterations don’t automatically mean your shoreline is unhealthy, but they do influence how water moves, how sediment settles, and how habitat functions. Natural shorelines consistently outperform hardened ones in protecting water quality.

How to Use Your Results

Your shoreline survey score is a starting point, not a judgment. It’s an invitation to understand your property’s role in the lake ecosystem and to make informed decisions that support long?term lake health.

Here’s how to get the most out of your results:

• Compare your 2026 score to past surveys if you can
• Identify one or two areas for improvement
• Reach out to WLAC or TOMWC with questions or for guidance on restoration options
• Celebrate your strengths! Many shoreline owners have made meaningful improvements since 2016 and 2020

As you review your results later this year, remember: the shoreline is Walloon Lake’s first line of defense. Understanding your survey is the first step toward protecting the lake we all love.