During the summer of 2024, Three Lakes Association found high levels of E.coli in Wilkinson and Eastport Creeks during routine sampling of these tributaries that enter the north end of Torch Lake.  We also found human sourced E.coli in both of those water samples using a newly available laboratory test.  We have since expanded our monitoring activities in 2025 to routinely test for E.coli at 8 different locations on 5 different tributaries that enter Torch Lake or Lake Bellaire.  

During our most recent water sampling on August 2^nd, we were accompanied by Austin Rowlader, a journalist from Interlochen Public Radio, who has published a brief podcast/article about Three Lakes Association’s E.coli monitoring program.  To listen to this podcast or view the article, please click on the picture or the link below.

Volunteers search a Torch Lake tributary for E. coli, and find it | Interlochen Public Radio