2010 Weed Treatment Update from Spalding De-Decker

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From Brian McKissen, Spalding DeDecker:

Marc,

I just wanted to follow up on the visit to Eagle Lake with Aqua-Weed
Control and about our findings and plan of action.

As you are aware we visited the Lake on May 14, 2010 so that Aqua-Weed
Control can become familiar with Eagle Lake, its plant species, and
the plants' current growth status for developing a treatment plan.
Also, we discussed the Lake Board's goals and concerns as far as the
treatments go as we traveled around the Lake.

What we found is that the weed growth is still in the early stages.
Aqua-Weed also conducted rake pulls to identify the plant species
throughout the Lake. The most significant finding is that we found
Starry Stonewort growing within the Lake. Starry Stonewort is a
particularly noxious invasive species. The following is an excerpt
from an article Dr. Doug Pullman prepared for the nearby Williams Lake
in regards to their Starry Stonewort problem:

"One of the biggest obstacles to the protection of biodiversity in
Williams Lake is to deal with the starry stonewort problem. The exotic
and invasive aquatic plant species, starry stonewort, was first
discovered in a Michigan inland lake in Lobdell Lake, Genesee County
in February 2006. Starry stonewort looks just like chara, which is a
very desirable Michigan plant. Both chara and starry stonewort look
like a green, bushy, “brillo pad”. Chara is a highly desired plant
because it forms low-growing meadows that keep the water clear and
slow down the invasion of weed species like milfoil. Starry stonewort
also forms dense mats, but unlike chara, it can grow from 5 to 7 feet
tall. No plant can stop a boat faster than starry stonewort. It
destroys fish spawning habitats and is so aggressive that it will
crowd out all other aquatic plants - including milfoil."

We found the Starry Stonewort growing in and amongst the Chara within
the Lake. This is most likely the plant that created the problems
that some residents were complaining about last year and not the
Chara. The weed treatment industry is still trying to develop
effective means to combat this plant. Currently the best approach
appears to be to suppress its growth with algecides. I've included an
article about Starry Stonewort, which includes some pictures of both
the Starry Stonewort and the more beneficial Chara.

Aqua-Weed will work to control the Starry Stonewort as part of their
treatment plan. Since the weed growth in Eagle Lake is still in the
early stages Aqua-Weed would like to conduct a second visit the week
following Memorial Day and conduct an initial treatment immediately
following the visit. We'll continue to monitor the Lake's progress
from that point to determine the needs for the subsequent
treatment(s).

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you,


Brian McKissen, PE, CFM
Project Engineer

Spalding DeDecker Associates, Inc.
905 South Boulevard East
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
(248) 844-5400 - (Phone)
(248) 844-5404 - (Fax)

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