Herbicide Treatment update

CURLY LEAF PONDWEED HERBICIDE TREATEMENT UPDATE

Dear Friends of the Lake,

On May 17^th, 2011, 168 acres of the invasive weed species Curly Leaf Pondweed (CLP) was chemically treated by Lake Management, Inc. This represents an increase of 13 acres from last year. The treatment materials and process was done under DNR approval and protocol. A map of the treated areas (in green) in Lakes 1, 2 and 3 follows:

WHY

Curly Leaf Pondweed (CLP) is a nuisance invasive weed  species in Forest Lake. It grows rapidly in less than 15 ft of water to form a mat like structure near the surface.  This formation restricts boating, water skiing, swimming and jet skiing. It chokes out native weed species. It dies in early July and floats to shore just in time for your 4^th of July parties! The dead CLP  releases  phosphorus that supports summer algae blooms. Its turions( seeds) can germinate up to three years later.
 

COST

The cost of the treatment was $35,020. The City provided $25,000 and the FLLA provided $10,020.
 

PLAN

2011 represents the third year of DNR approved large area treatment on Forest Lake to control CLP (100,155, and 168 acres). The current plan is to maintain treatment at the 170 acre level. After three years of treatment in one area, we hope to start to move treatment to other CLP beds as approved by the DNR. To help us decide when and where to switch future treatments, the CLFL Watershed District (Doug Thomas, Administrator) has allocated a budget to hire consultant Steve McComas of Blue Water Science Inc. Steve will evaluate the treated areas for CLP stem densities and determine if and when treatment can  be moved to new CLP beds. The evaluations will be completed in the spring and fall of 2011 to provide direction for the 2012 CLP control program.
 

THANKS

Special thanks to Doug Thomas and the CLFL Watershed District Board for their support of our lake improvement efforts and to the City for partnering with us to maintain this valuable community asset.  None of the programs, however, could be implemented without the financial backing of you our Lake Association members. Thank you for your continuing support.

The FLLA Board
Steve Schmaltz, President