Lake Charlevoix Boat Count 2011
This is the tabulation of the boat count of Lake Charlevoix and Round Lake accomplished on 8-06-11. Corresponding figures for the previous 12 years are also shown.
Method: Boats on moorings, lifts, at slips, at anchor, on the beach, and dinghies on board or alongside larger craft were counted by volunteers aboard small boats early in the morning before there was traffic on the lakes. Boats in the larger marinas were counted by walking the docks. Launching ramps and campgrounds were surveyed sequentially that same afternoon between 1PM and 4PM. At the ramps, boats seen launching, being retrieved, and empty trailers were all counted. The general principle was to count every boat that could be/is used on the Lake Charlevoix that day.
The count is always done in late July or early August, except 2007, when it was done on the third weekend in August. We think that weekend may not be comparable to the other dates. The weather has been fine AM and PM for all years except 1999 when it was overcast in AM and threatening to rain in PM, 2003 when forecast was for possible thunderstorms [didn't happen] in PM, and 2009 when it rained in PM [launching ramps were counted Sunday 8-2-09].
Included in the totals, but broken out for display, are launching ramp, and camp-ground boats. The approximate percentage distribution of boats at the launching ramps and camp-grounds is 75% power under 26', 10% power over 26" and 10% PWC. This distribution is roughly the same, year after year.
Dinghies/tenders accompanying larger boats are broken out for display but have been included in the power, 26 ft. and under, or oars/paddle categories.
