One common problem shared by all lake shore owners is weed management. Not only can aquatic weeds clog up and potentially damage a boat’s motor, but quite frequently they are an unpleasant sight and a nuisance in swimming areas. Also, the build-up of algae (i.e. “pond scum”) can lead to a foul smelling environment and render a swimming area unusable. Some lake weeds can even create such dense mats on the surface of a lake that boating through them becomes impossible.
A few common species of invasive weeds that have become a nuisance across North America are Curly-leaf Pondweed, Hydrilla, and Eurasian Watermilfoil. These invasive plants are capable of rapidly taking over entire lakes and choking out native species necessary to the lake’s health. One particularly detrimental situation caused by such weeds is that they create poor spawning conditions for native fish, leading to a weakened and suboptimal fishing experience within the lake. It is very important to be aware of such invasive weed species, and if one makes an appearance, it’s critical you take appropriate measures to preserve the health of your lake.
Invasive weed species need to be taken seriously; therefore weed management and awareness is a necessity for all lake users. Many lake weeds can seriously inhibit recreational lake activities such as boating, fishing, and swimming. The most important thing boaters must do to prevent the spread of these plants is to ALWAYS drain their boat’s live well and check to make sure their boat is not carrying any weeds from one lake to another.
For lake shore owners, there are a couple of ways to manage lake weeds:
· Professional Service. If you are part a lake association, you can contact them to find out if your lake is being treated by professional herbicide applicators. If not, it may be a good idea to recommend to your association that they find a professional service to do so.
· Do-it-yourself Herbicides. Lake shore owners with a do-it-yourself attitude can obtain aquatic herbicides and may use them as directed on the packaging. These herbicides are often sold in easy, ready to use kits.
· Mechanical Removal. Lake shore owners that are hesitant to use chemicals in their waters may find comfort in obtaining a mechanical weed-removal tool. These can range from something as simple as a rake all the way up to an innovative product called the LakeMaid, a rake-dragging arm that attaches to a dock’s post and automatically clears an entire area of weeds as well as restoring a lake shore’s bottom to a smooth and pleasant texture.
No matter which solution you choose to manage the weeds in your lake shore, you should take pride in the fact that with doing so you are preserving the overall health of your lake and its ability to serve as a source of many recreational activities.
Article courtesy of Lake Restoration Inc. Visit them at www.lakerestoration.com for all your lake weed management needs.
