STATUS
The flowering stalks shown in the header image of this page may look somewhat pretty, but the plant (Myriophyllum spicatum) can turn a lake into a quagmire of seaweed. At our association meeting in June 2017, we received confirmation that this species had invaded Little Platte Lake. Left unchecked, the milfoil could make boating, fishing, and all sorts of water recreation impossible in a shallow lake as shallow as ours.
In response the Board of LPLA acted quickly, appointing an Invasive Species Committee and hiring Restorative Lake Sciences, LLC to do a comprehensive assessment and recommendation.
Based on that report the Board adopted a plan to begin treating the lake to clear Eurasian watermilfoil in 2018. Since then, the education and eradication efforts continue ...
In response the Board of LPLA acted quickly, appointing an Invasive Species Committee and hiring Restorative Lake Sciences, LLC to do a comprehensive assessment and recommendation.
Based on that report the Board adopted a plan to begin treating the lake to clear Eurasian watermilfoil in 2018. Since then, the education and eradication efforts continue ...
WHY LPLA IS FIGHTING EWMEurasian Aquatic Milfoil is an invasive species that has entered many lakes in Michigan and caused severe problems. Little Platte Lake currently has about 6 (as of 2017; in 2024: fourteen) acres of this plant.
What are the potential problems this can cause as it grows in our lake?
|
|
WHAT IS OUR ACTION PLAN?
After the preliminary survey from the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network (was) discussed at our June (2017) Annual Members Meeting, we hired Restorative Lake Sciences, LLC to do a comprehensive survey to show the amount and exact location of the invasive milfoil in our lake.
Based on that survey and recommendations from Restorative Lake Sciences we intend to seek bids for herbicide treatment of the invasive milfoil in the spring or early summer of 2018. The use of herbicides was determined appropriate after careful consideration of the characteristics of our lake and evaluation of other treatment methods.
Restorative Lake Sciences does not believe that the use of herbicides in the amounts necessary for treatment of invasive milfoil on our lake will be harmful to other plants, animals or people.
The cost in 2018 of treatment and ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of the treatment and consideration of necessary future actions will be approximately $9,500 to $10,500. We will be exploring and considering various possible sources of funding for these activities, including grants from governmental and private entities, fundraising activities, contributions from property owners and businesses along our lake and use of existing cash reserves.
We will provide further information as are plans are more fully developed. Invasive milfoil, like other invasive plants, are primarily introduced into lakes through movement of boats, including pontoons, fishing boats, canoes and kayaks, from one lake to another without draining and washing those boats. We will be putting into place signage and conducting educational activities about this and will also consider installing washing facilities at some point in the future.
Based on that survey and recommendations from Restorative Lake Sciences we intend to seek bids for herbicide treatment of the invasive milfoil in the spring or early summer of 2018. The use of herbicides was determined appropriate after careful consideration of the characteristics of our lake and evaluation of other treatment methods.
Restorative Lake Sciences does not believe that the use of herbicides in the amounts necessary for treatment of invasive milfoil on our lake will be harmful to other plants, animals or people.
The cost in 2018 of treatment and ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of the treatment and consideration of necessary future actions will be approximately $9,500 to $10,500. We will be exploring and considering various possible sources of funding for these activities, including grants from governmental and private entities, fundraising activities, contributions from property owners and businesses along our lake and use of existing cash reserves.
We will provide further information as are plans are more fully developed. Invasive milfoil, like other invasive plants, are primarily introduced into lakes through movement of boats, including pontoons, fishing boats, canoes and kayaks, from one lake to another without draining and washing those boats. We will be putting into place signage and conducting educational activities about this and will also consider installing washing facilities at some point in the future.
2017 LPLA Meeting Minutes (snippet)
"Emily Cook spoke to the association regarding the health of our lake in relation to invasive species. A team from NMISN kayaked our lake earlier this week to identify and map areas with various invasive species. She passed out copies of the map depicting where non-native invasive species were observed along the shoreline. It was noted that the swamp area showed nothing invasive. Emily explained one reason might have been that it was too shallow to kayak and stated that a couple of lakes had recently used drones to help in similar situations. The good news is that our lake is fairly healthy as far as invasive species and that although Eurasian Water Milfoil was found, the clumps are not alarming in size. A few other invasive species spotted include Purple Loosestrife, Reed Canary Grass (near the boat launch), White Sweet Clover, Periwinkle and Autumn Olive. Books were available to explain and identify various types of invasive species. Emily was very informative and will work with us to formulate a plan to rid our lake of some of these invasive plants, especially the Milfoil. She suggested we also contact other lakes in the area that have been successful in removing invasive species."