LPLA Restorative Lake Sciences Reports

As on land, controlling aquatic invasives will be a responsibility of everyone who relies on and enjoys natural waterways. This means YOU! 

For Little Platte Lake, the effort is spearheaded by the Little Platte Lake Association members and other parties that deeply understand the importance of water being one of the elements that makes our planet the magical place it is in the UNIVERSE! 

If we can help you with your efforts to keep Michigan's waterways—and especially Little Platte Lake(s) and river—healthy and enjoyable, reach out via our contact page. Or, start here to learn how we've managed to keep an edge on the invasives that try to damage our waters and environment ... we'd love to see you at the next Landing Blitz!

Continuing for a second year, Mary Ann T. has scheduled the next Little Platte Lake "Landing Blitz" event for June 27, 2025. Check the EVENTS page to stay current.

Continual education and eradication are required. Eradication efforts are costly. Education can be free, and can reduce the costs of eradication. Improvements are happening. You can help keep the momentum going!

Can you give even one hour to spread the word on how to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species? 

As promised, the full 2024 RLS report is now available ... click here to download

​A June 2024 update from RLS informs LPLA that the EWM (Eurasian Watermilfoil) has formed a new hotspot and in total has grown, now up to 14 acres. The estimate for treatment this year will be around $20,000.00, which is included in the 2024-25 budget as presented during the annual meeting last Saturday ... click here to download

Please check back later this year for the full report.

2022 Summary: ​Wherever possible, it is preferred to use a systemic aquatic herbicide for longer-lasting plant control. There are often restrictions with usage of some systemic herbicides around shoreline areas that contain shallow drinking wells (such as with 2,4-D). Systemic herbicides such as Triclopyr should be used to control EWM in Little Platte Lake and continued spot-treatments with this herbicide would be recommended for any EWM that may return. A DASH boat could also be used to remove the EWM without the use of herbicides in the future or very small patches such as those observed in 2022, could be manually removed by SCUBA divers or snorkelers. Invasive emergent Phragmites have been treated by the local CISMA late during the seasons with great success and this will be evaluated again in future years if requested. There were new stolons arising in the treatment areas and thus more treatment may be needed in 2023 ... click here to download

​2021 Summary: Wherever possible, it is preferred to use a systemic aquatic herbicide for longer-lasting plant control. There are often restrictions with usage of some systemic herbicides around shoreline areas that contain shallow drinking wells (such as with 2,4-D). Systemic herbicides such as Triclopyr should be used to control EWM in Little Platte Lake and continued spot-treatments with this herbicide would be recommended for any EWM that may return. A DASH boat could also be used to remove the EWM without the use of herbicides in the future or very small patches such as those observed in 2021, could be manually removed by SCUBA divers or snorkelers. Invasive emergent Phragmites were treated by the local CISMA in late September 2019 with great success and this will be evaluated again in future years if requested. There were new stolons arising in the treatment areas and thus more treatment may be needed in 2022 ... click here to download

​2020 Summary: Invasive Species Report Jerry Rupley reported very good news.  In 2019 about 5 acres of Milfoil was found and treated.   Restorative Lake Sciences (RLS) surveyed Little Platte again this week and found only 2 Milfoil plants in the lake.  Treatment for Milfoil will not be needed this year.  A small patch of Phragmites was still observed at the east end of the lake.  A large area of Phragmites was treated last year by the Grand Traverse Conservation District using money from state grants.   Jerry contacted the Conservation District and there is no grant money available this year.  He is following up on a quote for treatment but it is unlikely that the small patch of Phragmites will be treated this year.  Maps were shared showing the 2019 infestation of the Milfoil and Phragmites and the 2020 map showing the significant reduction of both ... click here to download

​2019 Summary: Wherever possible, it is preferred to use a systemic aquatic herbicide for longer-lasting plant control. There are often restrictions with usage of some systemic herbicides around shoreline areas that contain shallow drinking wells (such as with 2,4-D). Systemic herbicides such as Triclopyr should be used to control EWM in Little Platte Lake and continued spot-treatments with this herbicide would be recommended for any EWM that may return. A DASH boat could also be used to remove the EWM without the use of herbicides in the future. Invasive emergent Phragmites were treated by the local CISMA in late September 2019 with great success and this will be evaluated again in 2020 ... click here to download

​2017 Summary: 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 ... click here to download