Eurasian Watermilfoil Update

 

                                                                    June 28, 2015

 Dear Lake Association Members  

The FLLA board wanted to communicate to you that Eurasian Watermilfoil was found in Forest Lake on June 10^th. It was discovered during the routine inspection of the effectiveness of the spraying of the Curlyleaf pondweed by Steve McComas with Blue Water Sciences. 

It has been determined that as of today there are 20 sites. Nineteen (19) of those sites were in 1^st lake and one (1) in 2 ^nd lake. None was discovered in 3^rd  at this time. These patches of Watermilfoil were found in 7-10 feet of water and consisted of small patches of 50 -100 stems. 

The Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District notified the Minnesota DNR about this discovery.   On June 15 ^th the DNR officially designated Forest Lake as Eurasian Watermilfoil infested. 
Based on the abundant of sites of Eurasian Watermilfoil found  the DNR is of the opinion that this is at least the 2 ^nd year that it has been in the lake. On June 26 ^th the Comfort Lake Watershed District, FLLA, DNR and the City of Forest Lake meet for 2 hours to discuss the strategy and the plan going forward to control the Eurasian Watermilfoil. 

It is important to understand that Forest Lake also has a native milfoil species called Northern Watermilfoil and sometimes Eurasian and Northern are mistaken for the same.  Northern Milfoil is a native species and is not invasive.   

Please refer to the cards below which show and describe the difference.  The key difference is the number of leaflets.  Eurasian has 12-21 leaflets per leaf and Northern has 5 -10 leaflets per leaf.
With the discovery of Eurasian Watermilfoil along with Flowering Rush and Curly Pondweed the Forest Lake Lake Association in conjunction with the City of Forest Lake and the Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District have  a significant undertaking in eradicating and controlling these invasive species.    

We need your support in this effort.  If you have not paid your 2015 dues to the FLLA we ask that you do that at your earliest convenience.  It will take significant monies to eradicate and control all of these invasive species.   

We remain committed to Forest Lake being one of the premier lakes in the region.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to Contact Jerry Grundtner at JAGrundtner@msn.com or 612-751-4666.   

Thank You
Forest Lake Lake Association.