Upcoming Arkansas Water Webinar to Highlight Muskegon Lake Restoration Success

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The Arkansas Water Resources Center is set to host the next installment of the Arkansas Water Webinar Series from noon to 1 p.m. June 27. This presentation will spotlight the restoration of Muskegon Lake and its wetlands in Michigan, focusing on water quality, ecosystem restoration and socioeconomics.

Muskegon Lake, a coastal river mouth lake, has a long history of environmental issues. However, extensive restoration efforts, including reconnecting wetlands, have significantly improved water quality and lake habitat. One notable wetland restoration project successfully reduced phosphorus concentrations from over 0.8 ppm (mg/L) to just 0.03 ppm (mg/L). Research efforts have provided a sound basis for restoration design and implementation, highlighting the effectiveness of these initiatives.

The economic benefits of the restoration are equally impressive, with a reported 5.8:1 return on investment and a $1 billion increase in shoreline development. However, the region also faced unexpected challenges regarding public access and "blue gentrification," adding further depth to the lessons learned from this endeavor.

Alan Steinman, the Allen and Helen Hunting Research Professor at the Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan, will be the speaker for this informative webinar. The title of his talk is "Ruination to Restoration Revitalization: The Story of a Great Lakes Area of Concern."

This success story from Muskegon Lake offers valuable insights that can be applied not only in Arkansas but across the USA. We are excited to invite you to register for the webinar at the link here.