For the fifth year the CLWA treated invasive Eurasian Watermilfoil in Crystal Lake. Once again aerial drone guidance assisted the application of the product, a procedure that precisely targets the plants and insures that the minimal amount of chemical is used.
Windy conditions necessitated a second day of treatment to cover the infested areas. A persistent section off Third St in Beulah received multiple doses of the herbicide 2,4D, which seems to have been highly effective in reducing the healthy plants there. The original large infestations at the Beulah boat launch and Cold Creek are now quite well controlled, although several small new colonies have appeared along the south shore.
The treatment was preceded by an aerial drone survey of the areas known for EWM presence. The plant’s extent is now about 2 acres with a significantly reduced biomass. DNA testing of samples from Crystal carried out by Montana State University found no examples of hybrid species – good news, since hybrids can be more difficult to control CLWA’s success is largely due to its proactive plant survey (2016-2018) that enabled us to jump start treatment of EWM before the aggressive plant could reach a critical state, as it has on many other Michigan lakes.
Invasive species, once established, never completely go away. However, CLWA is now maintaining control with a single treatment a year, accompanied by continued monitoring and evaluation. This is consistent with CLWA’s goal of the absolute minimal amount of intervention.
This work is authorized by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy under Aquatic Nuisance Control Permit No. ANC9805924.
If you have questions, see FAQs about Eurasian Watermilfoil.
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