August 2011 Boater cited at Lower Hay access for transport of vegetation CLICK HERE
No invasive Eurasian watermilfoil was found in the Whitefish Chain in the most recent checks in July and August 2011.
This September 2011 message from Marv Erdman,WAPOA director for invasive species:
"I have good news to report! I recently received PLM's (Professional Lakes Management) report of the lake vegetation assessments that they performed at 28 sites around the Whitefish area lakes in July and August 2011.
Neither Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) nor zebra mussels were found around these public accesses.
PLM also conducted a full lake assessment for WAPOA on Lower Hay Lake and found it to be clear of the invasives. I would like to attribute a good share of the success in keeping these invasives out of our lakes to our volunteering efforts."
Ed.Note: WAPOA pays for professional testing for Eurasian milfoil at 28 sites in the Whitefish Area, examining the areas most likely to become infected. It is thought that discovering a milfoil infestation when it is just getting started might make it easier to control. It is known that curly-leaf pondweed is in the Whitefish Chain in a few spots and has been here for many years. It s not as aggressive as Eurasian watermilfoil but can be somewhat of a nuisance to boat traffic if it does get thick.
See Marv Erdman's complete report of Summer 2011 activities CLICK HERE.
Lakes in Crow Wing county with Eurasian watermilfoil
- Ossawinnamakee
- Bay
- Kimball
- several others less well known.
Lakes in Crow Wing county with zebra mussels
- Gull Lake
- Ossawinnamakee
- several others less well known.
Ossawinnamakee, with both zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil, is only about 2 miles from the Whitefish Chain!
LINKS to Invasive Species Information
1. Brochure with information about protecting your lake from invasive species
CLICK HERE will take a few seconds to load
3. A color map of the lake sites that WAPOA inspects for invasive plant species.
CLICK HERE
4. Minnesota DNR Invasive Species Program page, Includes Designated Infested Waters list and other program information CLICK HERE
WAPOA's Invasive Species Efforts
May 25, 2011 Marv Erdman's article appearing in PineandLakes.com CLICK HERE
September 2011 Marv Erdman's recaps a very active summer for invasive species prevention by WAPOA CLICK HERE
- WAPOA pays to support 2 DNR watercraft inspectors
- WAPOA pays to support 2 Crow Wing County/WAPOA watercraft inspectors
- WAPOA organizes 45 volunteer inspectors
- WAPOA/LARA passes out 6,500+ informational invasive species packets at boat acesses to boaters
- WAPOA investigates possible milfoil on Rush lake (fortunately it was not)
- WAPOA inspector discovers boater attempting to launch on chain with invasive plant (it was invasive milfoil!)
- WAPOA works with other organizations on promoting training for area professional lake installers (lifts, etc.)