WATER QUALITY COMMITTEE CHAIR: TIM COLE
Contact information: (email) pmtrw78@gmail.com
Members include: Tim Cole (Chair)
Dennis Grossenbacher Rich Pugsley
Joe Primozich Tom Walter
Kelie Bond Steve Hamilton
Mike Smith Carol Feltes
Pat Hooyman Rob Landis
Water Quality is the main focus of the PLA.
The Pentwater Lake Association (PLA) has collected water quality data since the 1990’s through the effort of numerous volunteers. Two programs are carried out each season – one as a member of the MiCorps’ Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP) and another sampling program directed by the PLA using the Grand Valley State University Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI) Lab in Muskegon.
The AWRI lab charges are funded by the Pentwater Lake Improvement Board. The measurements made for the CLMP are based on samples only taken at the deepest point in Pentwater Lake. The measurements made for AWRI analysis are taken at the deepest point in Pentwater Lake, in the Village Creek and in both the North and South Branches of the Pentwater River. Collecting all of these measurements tells us a lot about our water quality.
The following are measured as part of MiCorps’ Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP): Secchi disk readings for water clarity, Chlorophyll-a for algae levels, Total Phosphorus for nutrient levels and Dissolved Oxygen & Temperature profiles for the lake’s habitat health.
May 2025: Please see the links below with the latest reports regarding Pentwater Lake and Watershed water quality. The samples are collected by trained volunteers from the PLA, sent to labs for analysis and the information sent to the Pentwater Lake Improvement Board as they are in charge of any treatments needed. It is posted here because it is important for PLA members and the community to have information about the health of our lake.
Understanding Water Quality Measurements