An Upper Peninsula lake south of Ishpeming turned red this week, but state officials say it’s nothing unnatural and residents shouldn’t worry.
The red tainted water in Lake Angeline, officials at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) say, was caused by a breached beaver dam.
The beaver pond upstream of Lake Angeline drained early Thursday, July 17, causing reddish sediment to empty into the water, according to a news release from the DNR.
Officials say recent rain may have contributed to high water levels, causing the breach of the aging beaver dam.
Ishpeming officials were aware of the lake conditions and met with DNR and EGLE staff on site July 17. There are no known safety concerns preventing public access to the lake, the news release says.
“No dead fish were observed by personnel during the investigation,” the DNR said in a news release. “However, the public is encouraged to report any observations of fish kills at Michigan.gov/EyesInTheField.”
The beaver pond is currently stable and water levels on Lake Angeline are not expected to rise higher and residents may continue to access the lake to boat and fish.
Additional assistance in the investigation was provided by the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office and the Superior Watershed Partnership.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: A red lake in Michigan? Here’s what the DNR says turned Lake Angeline red
Reporting by Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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