About Us

The North Chain Lake Association (NCLA) is a non-profit organization located in Coldwater, Michigan.  The north chain of lakes is a series of seven interconnected lakes: Craig, Morrison, Randall, North, Cemetery, Messenger and South.


The association is run by four elected officers, three elected directors, and the past president, all of which are volunteers.


Mission
The mission of the NCLA is to educate, conserve, extend and perpetuate the interests of the members of the Association.  These include: preservation of the lakes and streams, reduction of pollution, prevention of shoreline loss, weed control, and promotion of the lakes for all forms of lake sports and recreation.


History

Formed during the Wisconsin glacial stage (10,000 - 75,000 years ago), the lakes were increased in size and depth by historical marl mining operations and the construction of a nine foot high dam on the Coldwater River between Union City and Coldwater in 1847. Collectively, the lake chain and connecting channels cover approximately 1100 acres.

Public access to the lakes is provided and maintained by two state-owned launches. The results of the 2000 fishery surveys documented that this chain of lakes continue to support relatively diverse fish communities.



MLA WATER QUALITY TESTING PROGRAM

The North Chain Lake Association has an ongoing water testing program.

The key measurement is with a Secchi Disk. This tool is a circular disk about 17 inches in diameter with four alternate pies in black and white. It was first used in Italy starting in 1818. It has been a standard for measuring water clarity since. The disk is lowered into the water at eight equally spaced locations each week for about 18 weeks, from mid-May through mid-September. The depth at which the disk disappears is registered. These readings are then compiled along with the following information.

The Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen readings help determine the quality of the water. There are a host of complex chemical interactions, which are temperature and dissolved oxygen dependent.

The Total Phosphorus, measured in parts per billion, is an important indicator of the water quality of a lake.  Chlorophyll A is also measured in parts per billion and is generally used to estimate the amount of algae growing in the water.  This European, Asian and North African native is a submersed plant, usually growing in less than fifteen feet of water. EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL has feather-like leaves arranged in circles of four on the stem, and tiny flowers that poke into the air. Each leaf usually has more than twelve pairs of leaflets, and when out of water the plant is limp. Branching is abundant in water three to ten feet deep.