White Lake
White Lake, a natural wonder in northwest Muskegon County, spanning 5.1 miles from the White River to Lake Michigan, is renowned for its beauty and recreational appeal. However, it faced severe environmental challenges due to chemical manufacturing and sewage discharges in the mid-20th century.
Keeping White Lake Water Clean Project
All art on this page is from Montague Middle School Science Program students
For more details, reach out to Tanya Cabala, Lakeshore Outreach Organizer, at tcabala@wmeac.org or (231) 798-5196.
Video Presentations
Septic System Failures in Muskegon County
Climate Change and the Great Lakes
Utilizing Green Stormwater Infrastructure to Improve Surface Water
All art on this page is from Montague Middle School Science Program students
Recovery Journey
In 1992, the White Lake Public Advisory Council (PAC) was formed, working tirelessly alongside local, state, and federal partners, for over two decades to restore White Lake. In 2014, the U.S. EPA officially declared White Lake’s recovery, marking a significant milestone.
New Challenges
Although White Lake is cleaner, there are concerns for how emerging issues such as E.coli and toxic algae, stormwater runoff, and climate change will impact its water quality. In addition, a 2015 Michigan State University study uncovered previously unknown pollution from septic systems. Michigan’s lack of a statewide septic code and inadequate monitoring raised concerns about water quality. Some townships bordering White Lake lack sewer infrastructure, raising worries about septic system maintenance and its impact on water quality.
Past Troubles
The prosperity brought by chemical manufacturing in the 1950s-1980s came at the price of pollution, earning White Lake a “toxic hotspot” label in 1985 and a place among the Great Lakes Areas of Concern.
Year 1 Partners (2021-2022)
Public Health Muskegon County, Montague and Whitehall Townships. Supported by the White Lake Community Fund, an Advised Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County.
Year 2 Partners (2023)
Public Health Muskegon County, Montague, and Whitehall Townships. Supported by the White Lake Community Fund. An Advised Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County.
All art on this page is from Montague Middle School Science Program students
