Aquatic Plant Managment

Managing weeds

The WWMD is turning the corner on innovation in how we go forward with maintaining and improving the navigational and recreational use of our waterway system. As most riparian owners are aware, the standard treatment of navigational lanes and invasive species has been a two-fold approach for many years. These included Mechanical Harvesting known as DASH and Herbicide Treatment. Two seasons ago, with the help of Gary Bluemel, we introduced Mechanical Harvesting/Weed Cutting on Tichigan Lake in an attempt to take the first step in reducing the need for herbicides with great success.

This season we are attempting to take another major step to reduce herbicides by introducing an Eco-Harvester into the mix of processes in improving the waterway system. Should we be successful in the DNR permitting process this spring, we will begin harvesting in the shallow bays of the river and lake her-to-for reserved for herbicide treatment. The use of the Eco-Harvester in the first season or two will be measured, as we will be determining the breadth and depth of its capabilities on our waterway. Factors such as types of weeds, their thickness, etc. enter into how much per hour/acre the equipment can handle. We will also have to measure effectiveness over time and seasons that affect how often we will have to re-do areas.

All the predictors, including history and data from other lake associations, point to fewer herbicides and longer-lasting results using this mechanical harvesting device. It is also a goal to replace DASH in the shallow areas since an Eco-Harvester pulls weeds and will reduce costs due to its efficiency vs hand pulling. Patience will be a key to our success as we use this latest piece of technology. The goal is to reduce our dependency on herbicides and possibly eliminate it altogether in accessible areas. As an example, the Eco-Harvester will not be able to reach Waterford Lake thus herbicides may be our only alternative and/or DASH. Steve  

One of the most important projects the WWMD heads up each year is the control, treatment, and removal of aquatic weeds with a special emphasis on invasive species such as Eurasian Water Milfoil in the lake. It is important to remember that the measures employed by the WWMD are designed to ensure that the lake remains navigable for all of the users of the lake, not to remove all of the weeds (which play an important role in the ecosystem) or to remove all of the weeds from sight. Further, based on limited resources and DNR regulations, the WWMD prioritizes weed control activities that will allow continuing navigation for use of the waterway. Weed control and removal are not oriented toward enhancing scenic beauty but rather to make sure the lake is not overrun by weeds thereby limiting access to the lake’s users. We are currently doing EVERYTHING the DNR will allow us to legally do to control the weeds. We are strictly limited to those areas and activities authorized by the DNR.