TimberChar (formerly BioChar) Filters – Were first introduced into Silver Lake in 2023 as part of the Silver Lake Improvement Board‘s (SLIB) lake management plan recommended by Restorative Lake Sciences (RLS). The effort involves lakefront property owners (riparians) suspending the TimberChar filter bags from their docks and boat lifts each Spring and removing them with their docks and lifts at season’s end. The filters have a three-year life-cycle, so 1/3 of the total filters are collected/replaced each Fall, so that the when the filters go back on the lake the next Spring they remain as effective as possible.

The filters were purchased by the SLIB across time and each year’s purchase had a different color Zip Tie. In fall 2026 all filters with BLACK or WHITE Zip Ties should be placed along the waterfront roadways to be collected by SLIB representatives for testing and replacement filters will be left for installation in Spring 2027.

Here’s some background info on proper TimberChar filter installation provided by the SLIB –
* TimberChar installation instructions – flyer / video
* sample photos of preferred installation configuration are here – Photo 1, Photo 2 and Photo 3.

And a basic TimberChar fact sheet compiled by FoSL is here.

Thanks to all the community members who participated in placing the TimberChar filter bags on their dock(s) and lift(s) each year!

If you need more info or want filters this year, drop a note to friendssilverlake@gmail.com,