About Us
It’s All About the Water
The HRCOLA mission is to preserve, protect and enhance the health and safety of our lakes and the surrounding watershed for current and future generations.
Who We Are
We are lakefront and lake access property owners on the Huron River Chain of Lakes from Zukey to Little Portage. We are committed to addressing our common concerns for healthy and safe waters.
HRCOLA was founded in 1940 to primarily address the issues of extreme changes in the water levels in Big and Little Portage Lake. Over the years the organization has expanded to cover the full Huron River Chain of Lakes – a total of nine lakes linked by the Huron River – and to address issues of water quality and safety that impact the health and enjoyment of all our beloved lakes.
What We Do
HRCOLA supports activities and programs that protect the quality of our water. Over the years we have focused on the issues that are of the greatest concern to our members.
To better understand what we do, it is helpful to reflect on what we have done. The lake association was initially formed to address concerns about the fluctuating water levels on Portage and Little Portage lakes, which eventually resulted in the establishment of lake levels and construction of the John Flook Dam. The next major project was establishing the sewer systems that have resulted in improved water quality. The most recent major project was the establishment of a Special Assessment District to implement a Lake Improvement Plan to address the management of invasive and nuisance plants.
All of these projects involved working with local and state governmental agencies; gathering, sharing and disseminating information to our community and members; monitoring the programs that affect our waters and providing resources for education and outreach projects.
Flook Dam
HRCOLA worked with Washtenaw County to have the Flook Dam installed to control the water levels of the Lower Huron River Chain of Lakes. We continue to monitor the County’s management of the dam and offer occasional dam tours.
Information on the 2023-24 dam repair project is available here.
Community Waste Water Systems
HRCOLA advocated for the creation of the Portage Base Sewer Authority to address failing septic systems to both protect water quality and to assure that our homes would qualify for mortgages. The Huron River Chain of Lakes is now served by two waste water systems. Portage, Little Portage, Baseline and Tamarack Lakes are served by the Portage Base Lakes Area Water & Sewer Authority. Whitewood, Gallagher, Strawberry and Zukey Lakes are served by the Hamburg Township Sewer Sewer System Services. Both water systems are managed by Hamburg Township.
Information concerning management of the sewer systems that serve our lakes is here: Portage Base Line Lakes – Sewer Authority and Hamburg Township Sewer System Services.
Aquatic Invasive Weed Control
HRCOLA initiated the invasive species studies that resulted in the creation of the Lake Improvement Projects managed by Washtenaw County and Hamburg Township to address invasive species in our waters.
Link to the program covering Portage, Little Portage, Base, Tamarack and Whitewood Lakes is here.
Link to the program covering Gallagher, Strawberry and Zukey Lakes is here.
Boater Safety Class
Since 2002, the lake association has sponsored boater safety classes, held at the Portage Yacht Club. The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Marine Division provides an instructor for the day long class. Anyone born after 7-1-1996 MUST be certified to legally operate a boat on Michigan waters. This one day class meets that requirement. There is no registration fee. The classes are generally held on a Saturday in late April or early May.
Check out our Current Events Page for information about this year’s boater safety classes.
Water Quality Monitoring
Photo Credit: Mark Teicher
The lake Association provides volunteers to monitor water quality in Our Lakes in coordination with the State of Michigan CLMP program.
We are looking for volunteers on Gallagher, Strawberry and Zukey Lakes. It’s easy. We’ll train you. You just need a boat to get to the monitoring spots. Go to our Current Events Page to volunteer.
Shoreline Gardens
Photo Credit: Martin Thorburn
The loss of natural shorelines is the greatest threat to the quality of our Michigan inland lakes. HRCOLA encourages planting of natural shorelines and the installation of fish sticks.
If we can keep the water healthy, clear and blue, we can continue to enjoy the lakes for generations to come! You can Make a Difference!