Lake Management Plan Goal and Action Steps for AIS
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Managing invasives is a complex task. There are many factors that must be considered. Many experts to talk to and many opinions to evaluate.
The Clearwater Lake Conservancy Lake Management Plan has set the following goals for Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS).
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2024 Actions
Eurasian MilFoil
Clearwater Lake was surveyed on July 10, 2024. We also requested genetic sampling to determine if we have hybrid milfoil. This may help us next year to select the most appropriate treatment.
Freshwater Scientific Surveys and PLM Lake and Land Management were consulted for the best treatment plan for this year. Hand pulling was not recommended and it has not been successful on our lake. Both strongly recommended ProcellaCOR as the best herbicide. This is treatment is on the approved list from the DNR.
There was a concern that our Eurasian Water Milfoil has become immune to this herbicide. We were told by the experts that this takes many years and it should not be a concern for us.
The Board has chosen to use ProcellaCOR.
Be sure to review the 2024 treatment notice if you wish to opt out of chemical treatment.
There was a concern that our Eurasian Water Milfoil has become immune to this herbicide. We were told by the experts that this takes many years and it should not be a concern for us.
The Board has chosen to use ProcellaCOR.
Be sure to review the 2024 treatment notice if you wish to opt out of chemical treatment.
The board approved a 2 phase treatment plan. Phase 1 will treat high boat traffic areas in August (plots 3-5, 7, 10-12, 17-19 - 11.25 acres) to decrease fragmentation and spread. Phase 2 will treat areas adjacent to bulrush/lily pads in September (plots 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 13-16 - 7.85 acres) after the native vegetation has stopped growing to limit herbicide impact.
- The plan has been submitted to the DNR for approval on 8/1/2024.
- The MN DNR granted our request for treatment permit on 8/13/2024.
- Phase 1 Treatment (high traffic / non-lilly pad areas) is scheduled for early the week of 8/19. Successful treatment is dependent on the weather. Forecast the week of 8/13 looks unfavorable. Treatment will wait until the following week when the weather will be reevaluated.
This plan is estimated to cost $38,614. Clearwater Lake did receive a grant for $3500. However, this treatment will leave our funds very low. Please consider an invasive fund donation.
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Curly Leaf Pondweed
We were unable to do an spring aquatic vegetation survey this year. RMB that has done our surveys in 2018 and 2021 was unavailable this year. We are using a new vendor Limnopro. They suggest a spring and late summer survey. It was too late in the year to do a spring survey when Curly Leaf Pondweed is best surveyed. The board will determine, based upon finances if a spring survey will be conducted in 2025 to quantify this invasive.
Curly Leaf Pondweed has only been seen in the SW bay. Roughly plot 7 on the 2024 Eurasian Watermilfoil Delineation Survey map above.
Rusty Crayfish
The general impression of lake owners is that the Rusty Crayfish problem is in decline. It is very hard to quantify the infestation without a large number of volunteers systematically collecting and counting the crayfish.
Clearwater Lake Conservancy board member Kevin Smith took a baseline survey in 2023. He will repeat the timing and location in 2024 to establish a trend line.
If anyone has been trapping crayfish, please let Kevin know your counts or impression of the problem.
Zebra Mussels and Spiny Water Flees
The board has approved the annual testing for Zebra Mussels and Spiny Flee.
Monitoring The Boat Landing
Clearwater Lake Conservancy requested addition Friday and Holidays hours. Total Planned 423 for 2024; as of June 29 total filled 135.
Funding
The lake association asked for member donations and has pursued state, county and DNR grants to support our treatment plan.
Treatments Signatures
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Chemical treatment requires the consent of the lake shore homeowner. The DNR no longer requires an annual signature authorization for chemical treating. An implied consent is understood if guidelines are followed.
The DNR has confirmed we can notify owners by email, newsletter, flyers etc. of pending chemical treatment. Those that do not want chemical treatment should inform us of their preference for non-treatment. This is process we have followed for the last few years. According to the DNR, permission is not required for hand-pulling and chemical treatment greater than 150 feet from shore. |
If you want to let us know you will allow or deny
chemical treatment please contact. |
