Projects

77-Acre Farm

PPLF purchased the 77-acre farm and is now carrying out the revegetation process!

In September 2024, PPLF planted oats and radishes as a cover crop for the fall and winter.

In February 2025, PPLF and the US Fish and Wildlife Service scattered seed across the farm with wildflower mix.

Why Wildflowers?

Improving soil health: Wildflowers help to hold nutrients in the soil, prevent erosion, and improve water quality.

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Two-Level Drain

A Two-Level Drain has Been Installed at the Branch and Derby Intercountry Drain!

What is a Two-Level Drain?

Two-level drains (or flood shelves) improve runoff by forming flood benches that reduce erosion and trap sediment.

Naturally occurring or constructed, they involve reshaping streambanks and vegetation to create benches just above normal water levels but below the surrounding land.

What Does This Mean for Paw Paw Lake?

By giving runoff a place to slow and spread, the redesigned Branch and Derby drain reduces erosion and captures sediment before it reaches the lake.

Flood benches also create stable, plant-rich habitats that filter stormwater and reinforce streambanks—resulting in a healthier ecosystem and cleaner, clearer water flowing into Paw Paw Lake.

The Bottom Line

This drain will help stop the main contributor of runoff into Paw Paw Lake.

Special Thanks

This project was made possible through a co-funding partnership between the PPLF, Paw Paw Lake Association, the Coloma and Watervliet SAD, and the support of generous donors.

Settling Pond Maintainence

We Completed Maintenance Settling Pond Located at the NE of M-140 and Hagar Shore Road !

This project facilitated the removal of a significant amount of detritus material. It also will reduce the water flow speed and give sediment from the Branch and Derby Drain a place to settle in the future.

Why It Matters:

The Settling Pond is crucial in keeping Paw Paw Lake clean by capturing sediment, harmful nutrients, and agricultural runoff, and reducing them from entering the lake.

Special Thanks

Thank you to the SAD who contributed 50% of the cost, Trident for carrying out this project, and to all of our donors, supporters, and fellow lake lovers for your ongoing support!

In the videos posted below, you can see the dramatic difference between the water quality last spring, and recently after 1.9 inches of rain over 30 hours. What once was muddy, discolored runoff now appears clean and clear.

BEFORE

AFTER

For additional project information, view our full presentation:

Click here for the By-Laws of PPLF:

Download

OVERVIEW

Improvement of Water Quality

Goal 1: Continuous Measurement Program

Form committee and hire experts (e.g., Wally Fusilier, CLMP, LaMotte).
Define key metrics, test sites, and schedule.
Standardize annual reporting.
Present plan to Board by June 5, 2005.

Goal 2: Reduce Nutrients

Install sediment basins on Branch-Derby Drain.
Identify high-nutrient sources and apply targeted reductions.
Promote anti-fertilizer use among homeowners.

Goal 3: Reduce Bottom Sediment

Map lakebed and sample sediment.
Assess and fund spot removal.
Implement removal plan.

Goal 4: Define Watershed

Map watershed and storm drains.
Quantify inputs from drains and streams.
Calculate flush rate.

Preservation and improvement of wetlands

Goal 1: Map & Evaluate Wetlands

Map all PPL wetlands; assess health through site visits.
Use findings to recommend restoration or enhancement.

Goal 2: Restore Key Wetlands

Research methods, prioritize top 20 sites, estimate costs.
Reactivate or restore wetlands to natural state.

Goal 3: Create Wetlands

Identify feasible sites and costs.
Convert upland areas to wetlands.

Protection against infestation

Goal 1: Reduce Eurasian Milfoil

Develop and measure a long-term control program.
Inform and engage the lake community.

Goal 2: Prevent Zebra Mussels

Test annually and expand public awareness.
Post signage, share info, involve agencies.

Goal 3: Eliminate Purple Loosestrife

Raise awareness, map sites, and run annual eradication.
Monitor progress.

Goal 4: Reduce Seagulls

Research sources and solutions.
Develop and implement a control plan.

Build a Broad Community of Financial Support

Goal 1: Community Communications

Promote PPLF’s mission and achievements through annual reports, media, and brochures.

Goal 2: Increase Lakeside Contributions

Form committee and set success metrics.
Track lakefront owners and contributors.
Conduct annual fundraising with personal outreach and events.

Goal 3: Boost Recreational Support

Engage users at boat launches, fishing clubs, tournaments, marinas, and public sites.
Develop outreach and fundraising plans.

Goal 4: Grow Business Support

Create merchant lists, supporter IDs, and logos.
Market to and involve businesses benefiting from Paw Paw Lake.

Goal 5: Secure Organizational & Government Support

Form committee and pursue grants.
Engage agencies including U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Explore land prep solutions like valleys, berms, and ponds to slow, filter, store, and recharge water before it enters Paw Paw Lake.

Water Fowl Management

Geese add tremendous amounts of nutrients and bacteria to the lake. Geese can defecate as many as 92 times a day. Just 50 geese can produce two and a half tons of excrement in a year. Every dropping contains nitrogen and phosphorus, the major contributors to accelerated weed growth in Paw Paw Lake.

DNR / Paw Paw Lake Lake Foundation Goose Round-Up

The Foundation working with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), will conduct a “round-up” of the over population of geese on Paw Paw Lake. The permitted event is conducted in June by a contractor licensed by the state of Michigan. After the geese have been rounded up, they are relocated by the DNR.

Paw Paw Lake Catch Basin Clean-Out Pilot Project

Abstract of Report Prepared by the Spicer Group on May 17, 2022

Problem Statement:

Weeds, leaves, road water, garbage and other debris collect in the street catch basins (drain wells). This sediment is very nutrient-rich. Rainwater flows through the drain waste and into the lake carrying the unwanted nutrients with it.

Pilot Project Goals:

The Paw Paw Lake Foundation funded a $25,000 catch basin identification program and pilot structure clean-out project.

The goals of this pilot project were to:

Identify the catch basins draining into the lake and select a subset of these catch basins for inclusion in the pilot project.

Develop an understanding of the condition of the pilot project catch basins.

Clean out the sediment from the pilot project catch basins.

Use the information from the catch basin clean-out pilot project to determine a more accurate estimate of the cost of cleaning out the remaining catch basins.

Pilot Project Summary

Scope:

A pilot project area was selected which included township/road commission catch basins (90) and catch basins on established county drains (74).

Results:

164 catch basins were evaluated and cleaned out.

Data on pipe size, direction, material and manhole conditions was collected by a Spicer Group Engineer.

Approximately 75 cubic yards of waste was removed by B & Z Construction from the 164 pilot project catch basins and disposed of at Trident Dock & Dredge’s borrow pit.

An average of 33 structures were cleaned-out per day resulting in a 5 day project.

Catch basin evaluations revealed that 4 catch basins needed immediate attention and 12 others need attention in the immediate future.

Recommendations/Next Steps:

The Special Assessment Project Advisory Board (SAPAC) for the Paw Paw Lake Special Assessment District (SAD) will recommend:

Continuing the catch basin identification and mapping effort started by the Paw Paw Lake Foundation.

Funding to evaluate and clean-out the remaining catch basins (approximately 330) for a cost of approximately $54,500.

Evaluating 5 to 10 locations for installation of water quality cleaning units.

Obtain commitment from Berrien County Drain Commissioner, Christopher Quattrin, to assist with future maintenance of the catch basins and system.