Lake Bancroft facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Bancroft |
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 Lake Bancroft
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Ishpeming, Marquette County, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 46°29′37″N 87°40′26″W / 46.49361°N 87.67389°W |
| Type | Lake |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 1,000 ft (300 m) |
| Max. width | 500 ft (150 m) |
| Surface elevation | 1,407 ft (429 m) |
Lake Bancroft is a lake located in the city of Ishpeming in the U.S. state of Michigan. This lake has faced some big problems. It has become unhealthy over time because of too many nutrients in its water.
This problem, called eutrophication, has led to low oxygen levels. This makes it hard for fish and other water creatures to live there. To help the lake, a special group called the Lake Bancroft Project is working to clean it up. They use a safe, food-grade material to remove the extra nutrients.
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About Lake Bancroft
Lake Bancroft is found in Ishpeming, a city in Michigan. It is about 1,000 feet (300 meters) long and 500 feet (150 meters) wide. The lake sits at an elevation of about 1,407 feet (429 meters) above sea level. It is an important natural area for the local community.
Why the Lake Got Sick
Lake Bancroft has suffered from a problem called eutrophication. This happens when too many nutrients, like phosphorus and nitrogen, get into the water. These nutrients often come from things like fertilizers used on lawns or farms. They can also come from sewage or other human activities.
How Eutrophication Harms a Lake
When there are too many nutrients, tiny water plants called algae grow very fast. This causes what is known as an "algal bloom." These blooms can make the water look green and murky. They also block sunlight from reaching other plants deeper in the lake.
When the algae die, they sink to the bottom. Bacteria then eat the dead algae. This process uses up a lot of the oxygen in the water. When oxygen levels become very low, it is called hypoxia. Fish and other animals in the lake need oxygen to breathe. Without enough oxygen, they cannot survive. This disrupts the lake's natural balance.
The Lake Bancroft Project
To fix these problems, the Ishpeming City Council started the Lake Bancroft Project. This project aims to bring the lake back to health. Their main goal is to reduce the amount of nutrients in the water. This will help stop the harmful algal blooms.
How the Project Works
The project uses a special method to clean the lake. They add a safe, food-grade polymer to the water. A polymer is a type of chemical compound made of many small units. This polymer acts like a magnet for the extra nutrients and other tiny particles floating in the water.
Once the polymer binds to these particles, they become heavier. This causes them to sink to the bottom of the lake. By removing these nutrients from the water, the project helps to prevent new algal blooms. This allows the lake to get more oxygen and become a healthier home for its plants and animals.
The project is an important step in protecting Lake Bancroft for future generations.
