The White Lake Association hosted a buoy launch party this week to celebrate the upcoming deployment of White Lake’s first-ever smart buoy. Local residents, volunteers, and environmental advocates gathered to learn about the buoy’s capabilities and how it will transform the way the community monitors the lake’s health.
“This cutting-edge technology will deliver continuous, real-time data to help us better understand and care for the lake we cherish,” said Robert Smart, President of the White Lake Association. “White Lake is the heart of our community, supporting businesses, recreation, and cultural heritage.”
About the Smart Buoy
Once installed in White Lake, the smart buoy will operate 24/7, automatically collecting water quality and weather data every 10 minutes. Key data points include:
Water temperature (from surface to depths of up to 70 feet)
Dissolved oxygen levels
Algae indicators, including chlorophyll and phycocyanin
Air temperature, wind speed, and humidity
“In the past, we’ve manually collected this information—every couple of weeks, by boat,” said Jim DeBoer, Chief Science Officer for the White Lake Association. “Now, we’ll get updates continuously, and in real time. That’s a huge leap forward for water quality monitoring.”
A thermistor string will track temperature changes at five-foot intervals throughout the water column. The buoy’s data will help inform fishing conditions, harmful algae alerts, and environmental trends.
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The buoy project was funded through a $40,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), part of their Nonpoint Source Watershed Grant Program.
“This project wouldn’t be possible without the support of EGLE, our donors, and community partners,” Smart said. “Our mission is to protect and enhance White Lake’s health for people, fish, and wildlife through monitoring and education.”
Data collected by the buoy will initially be available through a secure platform and shared on a weekly basis via the White Lake Association website. The Association hopes to make data publicly accessible via a 24/7 online portal in the near future, pending funding.
Get Involved
While the smart buoy will automate much of the lake’s monitoring, the Association still welcomes volunteers for water sampling and shoreline observations. They’re also seeking support from community members to help cover ongoing data access costs and expansion.
“We’re looking for people to help us spread the word,” DeBoer added. “Let your neighbors know what this yellow buoy does—it’s not just floating out there, it’s protecting the future of our lake.”
Membership to the White Lake Association starts at $35/year and helps support continued lake monitoring, environmental education, and community outreach.
Amy Yonkman is the Product Lead for the CatchMark Community platform, bringing extensive experience in project management, WordPress administration, and digital content creation. She excels at coordinating projects, supporting cross-functional teams, and delivering engaging digital experiences. Amy is skilled in content strategy, workflow optimization, and multimedia editing across web and social platforms. With a strong background in task organization, technical writing, and customer service, she plays a key role in driving the growth and impact of CatchMark’s community-focused digital initiatives.
