Aquatic Plant Management (APM)
How we manage weeds throughout the year - WE RECOGNIZE THERE HAS BEEN AN EXPLOSION OF WEED GROWTH THIS YEAR. WE HAVE A PLAN AND WILL BE EXECUTING THAT PLAN WITH THE DNR IN THE COMING WEEKS.
April - May 2021
Initial Weed Treatments
This year weed treatments have been delayed due to new harvesting techniques set to begin in June. In collaboration with the DNR we have been asked to hold off on weed treatments until we can test and demo the EcoHarvester and need treatment methods.
Navigation Treatment Map
Wednesday, June 2, 2021
EcoHarvester Demo Day
Please avoid these areas during the demonstration to help reduce water and soil turbidity. Facebook Live sessions and drone footage will be provided.
Week of June 7
Herbicide Treatments Begin
Treatments to begin including pilot project to treat Eurasian Milfoil growth in Buena Lake.
Week of June 14
Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (D.A.S.H.)
Additional D.A.S.H. services to begin in select areas of navigational channels with specific challenges.
Week of June 21
Mechanical Harvesting Begins
We will be leasing a mechanical harvester to supplement weed cutting until the EcoHarvester is approved and delivered. This is a 30 day lease.
Late June - Early July
EcoHarvester Begins its Work
Pending approval from the DNR and delivery from the manufacturer we plan to have the EcoHarvester in action by this time.
Aquatic Plant Managment
Managing weeds
We are acutely aware of the explosive growth of weeds throughout the waterway. Here is an update on our plan of action and what we currently know. First, we are not alone with seeing this early season growth of weeds. Similar situations have been reported on many southeastern Wisconsin lakes. Despite heavy snow and ice coverage this winter, an early ice-off, and abundant sunshine have led to this rapid growth. Secondly, the DNR requested we not treat weeds until after the EcoHarvester demo as they want to see it in operation on healthy weeds (they will get that for sure).
Below is the plan of action:
Wednesday, June 2nd - EcoHarvester Demo
We ask that riparian owners avoid these areas during the demo as we do not want to increase soil and water turbidity. Turbidity is the primary concern for the DNR. Check out Facebook for live updates we provided. We are still awaiting DNR approval.
Week of June 7 - Initial herbicide treatments.
(This includes the pilot project to target Eurasian Milfoil blooms in Buena Lake). Treatments should be completed by 6/10/21
Week of June 14 - Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (D.A.S.H.) treatments approved for specific areas of concern. Note: this is an added mitigation strategy we did not anticipate having to utilize this year, but the weeds didn't really cooperate this spring.
RIGHT NOW - Mechanical Cutting across the waterway. We are leasing a mechanical cutter for 30 days to tackle as much as we can in navigational channels. Note: this was not anticipated, but absolutely necessary this year.
Pending approval from the DNR, which may take 7-14 days to render a decision on the EcoHarvester will begin operation once it is delivered from the manufacturer and approved for operation by the DNR.
We recognize this is a complex plan of action, but we are looking at all options available to us to mitigate weeds in navigational channels. If you have an access point on the waterway where the conveyer trailer could get to the water please let us know as the more locations we have, the more efficient we can be in our approach this year. Be sure to sign-up for our newsletter to stay up to date on plans, strategies, and dredging updates. Also, encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same.