AQUATIC PLANT CONTROL
May 8, 2024 - Pinecrest sprayed an early season herbicide treatment. This included spraying for algae, milfoil and curly leaf pondweed. Contact Debbie Palmer for a list of herbicides used and what they target or check out the Aquatic Plants page on this website.
​
You are safe to swim and fish but refrain from using lake water to water your plants for five days post treatment. Contact Wendy Holloway if you have any questions.
​
The second round will be the week of June 17, 2024.
Keep in mind, DNR controls what plants can be targeted and what percentage of the lake can be treated. We are also limited by the total amount of funds collected each year.
​
Late summer will be the final treatment targeting the Lily Pads. This is also controlled by DNR and funds are collected separately.
While aggressively removing aquatic plants may provide short-term recreational benefits, it can negatively impact the lake’s ecology and the long-term health of the lake.
The Indiana Division of Fish & Wildlife is required under authorities IC 14-22-9-10 and 312 IAC 9-10-3 to assure that any chemical, mechanical, physical or biological control of aquatic vegetation does not have significant adverse ecological impacts on fish and wildlife, threaten human health, or unreasonably restrict public access to public waters.
Pinecrest Industries, Inc. out of Galien, Michigan has been our chosen applicator for many years for two main reasons - fair price and great service.
Plan of Attack
Controlling plants in the lake to EVERYONE'S satisfaction is a difficult task. We must consider what the DNR allows, individual preferences and changing weather conditions. With that said, this is our current plan:
​
-
Early Spring Submersed Algae Treatment.
We are not talking about surface algae. Submersed algae is especially bad Spring 2024 due to another mild winter, which resulted in limited ice cover and early plant growth. Killing off this algae allows subsequent herbicide treatments to work better. -
1st Herbicide Treatment targeting Curly Leaf Pondweed & Eurasian watermilfoil.
This contact herbicide treatment is water temperature dependent and is typically in late April/early May. The curly leaf and milfoil are early emerging and invasive so this spray targets these two species specifically. This spray is NOT for chara or other broadleaf plants, but specific to curly leaf and milfoil ONLY. -
Broadleaf Herbicide Treatment.
This contact herbicide is typically applied in early June and is tightly controlled by DNR. It is targeting the native broadleaf plants like the pondweeds and eel grass. At this time, DNR only allows us to control these plants for a TOTAL of five (5) acres in our 96 acre lake. -
Follow-up Herbicide Treatment for Curly Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian watermilfoil.
This is a late-season spray targeted at ONLY the Curly Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian watermilfoil - IF NEEEDED.
Please Note:
Lilly Pad spray is a separate issue. It is controlled differently by the DNR.
Lilly pad spray is a late-season spray and funds are collected separately.
Chemical prices go up every year. Typically we receive an updated price list in January. At that time, we evaluate the previous season and make adjustments in pricing for the upcoming season.
​
The goal is to get the best possible control for what is collected each year and not have to dip into the reserve funds.
Why Don't We Get Grant Funds for Weed Control
LARE, Lakes and River Enhancement, is funded through boat registration fees. Several surrounding lakes receive LARE funds for weed control. We have looked in to this and have decided not to pursue a LARE grant for several reasons:
-
Prior to receiving LARE funds for weed control, we must have an approved Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan (AVMP) in place. The cost for such a plan is approximately $4,500.
-
Once we pay to have an AVMP created, there is no guarantee that we would get LARE funding.
-
We would not be able to continue using Pinecrest as our applicator because they are a Michigan company. LARE is funded with Indiana state funds so we would be required to use an Indiana company.
​