May 2026
- Apr 22
- 3 min read
Writer Mark H. Stowers in this issue takes a look at how a 1907 invention of plastic has become a major environmental problem in general and more specifically for inland lakes as microplastic particles make there way into the waterways in Oakland County.
The Alliance for the Great Lakes reports that 22 million pounds of plastic are dumped into the Great Lakes annually. Of that amount, 86 percent is plastic that breaks down into microplastics, which find their way into aquatic life, other wildlife, and eventually humans.
Further, groups like the Friends of the Rouge consider microplastics a major threat for the watersheds of Oakland. Researchers at Wayne State University published a paper last year, looking at the Huron and Clinton watersheds, which showed that stormwater drainage, infrastructure and land use have a major influence when it comes to microplastics entering the environment, including the inland lakes.
Stowers also takes a look at world of frogs and toads that are a critical part of the aquatic ecosystem of the lakes in Oakland County.
World-wide, there are some 8,000 species of frogs and toads, 14 of which can be found in Michigan.
It seems timely to look at this topic as these species contribute to the symphony of sounds we all hear as spring arrives in the lake community. They are also an important part of the lake environment, responsible for controlling the insect population and they have their own predators who look at them as a food source.
This longform piece also raises the concern that the overall population of frogs, on a world-wide basis, is in decline. As one of our sources told Stowers, “Frogs are definitely an indicator species. When something goes bad in the environment, amphibians such as frogs and salamanders are going to be the first things that start dying. Their skin is very semipermeable, making them susceptible to any type of environmental change that affects pH, or that affects the environment. If there is some sort of environmental contamination, the first things that go are the frogs.”
Looking forward at issues coming up, next month we will be introducing a new feature, the Islands of Oakland, a look each month at the many islands that exist in our inland lakes. We are excited to add this to the issues of LAKE that we bring to 17,000 homes by direct mail.
Our June issue will also contain an editorial piece on the lakefront and lake-view restaurants in Oakland County, a timely piece to be sure.
We are also looking forward to expanding our editorial coverage to include home design topics in coming months so stay tuned as we broaden our coverage.
As always, we are focused first on critical environmental issues that impact the quality of our local inland lakes. But we look forward to exploring other lake-related topics in coming months.
FRONT COVER: The front cover photo this month of a hot air balloon over Manitou Lake in Lake Orion was provided by Frank Rye. We are still encouraging lake residents to send us possible covers for our magazine. As lakefront residents know, there is a variety of activity that takes place on local lakes and if you think your photo would make a good cover, please send a jpeg to lakephotos@downtownpublications.com. We ask that the photo be high resolution so it reproduces well. Vertical photos work best for the magazine’s cover. When you send in your photos, please include your home mail address so, if your photo is selected, we can send you a check for $100 and some extra copies of the magazine to share with friends. We already have selected a Fourth of July cover and a cover for October that fits with the Halloween theme but a few months (June, August, September) are still open.
David Hohendorf
Publisher
