A closer look at how Eurasian milfoil and chemical treatments are harming aquatic life Flint Lake on Valparaiso’s north side is in trouble. Invasive aquatic weeds, especially Eurasian milfoil, have become so overgrown that they’re even interfering with fish population surveys. During a recent Department of Natural Resources (DNR) survey, biologists had to stop two
While water chestnut would literally take over the river from shore to shore, the Mystic River Watershed Association and many partners battled the invasive plant with the help of mechanical harvesters and by organizing volunteer hand-pulling events. Water chestnut (Trapa natans) is native to Asia, Europe and Africa. It was introduced in 1897 by a
Invasive curlyleaf pondweed has been choking East Okoboji Lake, snarling boat propellers, burning up motors and shutting down swimming, tubing and other water sports in an area that depends on recreation. The weed’s invasion is driving heated debates about how to control it — from using mechanical removal to administering herbicides that raise concerns about
According to Nick Brown, DNR invasive species specialist, herbicides used to treat curly-leaf pondweed on Minnesota lakes may not lead to improvements in water quality. Curly-leaf pondweed is an invasive plant found throughout much of Minnesota. The plant grows slowly throughout the winter under the ice, but once the ice has left the lake the
The Lake Wausau Association is hoping to remove several hundred pounds of Curly-leaf Pondweed from the water and they’re working non-stop to make sure it happens as soon as possible. Curly leaf pondweed grows under the ice during the winter, but in the summer months it dies off after it reproduces. As it dies and
The annual weed pull calling volunteers to Bare Hill Pond in Harvard, Massachusetts; to yank invading water chestnut weeds from the pond’s depths wasn’t held this year. Why? Volunteer Rick Dickson said, “because we finally don’t need it.” The plant is injurious with its four-headed needle-sharp seeds typically making it to shore and cutting the
According to Nick Brown, DNR invasive species specialist, herbicides used to treat curly-leaf pondweed on Minnesota lakes may not lead to improvements in water quality. Curly-leaf pondweed is an invasive plant found throughout much of Minnesota. The plant grows slowly throughout the winter under the ice, but once the ice has left the lake the
The Bakersfield big blue mechanical monster in the lake is pretty intimidating up close. The aquatic weed harvester acts like an underwater lawn mower. It moves about 5 mph and has cutter blades underneath it with an adjustable swath of about 8 feet wide and 6 feet deep. The blades cut the weeds as they
In the 1970’s, Lake Minnewawa was so choked with weeds that residents could no longer enjoy the lake. Boating was impossible and water clarity and phosphorous levels were awful. A group of concerned residents decided they needed to do something to save the lake and on December 15, 1977 as association was formed calling itself
By Rochelle Feil Wednesday, August 1, 2007 This harvest feeds no hunger, just a compost pile. The benefit from the harvest is safety and convenience for users of parks along the Columbia River in Washington: no tangled feet and easier launching for boaters. Ben Mendoza and Randy Smith, Chelan County PUD park maintenance personnel, spend