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Treatment History
There are 2 ways to attack Eurasian Milfoil; with chemicals and hand pulling.
When treatment for Clearwater Lake was first started in 2011, the amount of milfoil present was too large to consider hand pulling it all. In 2011 and 2012 several individual home owners treated their own areas. However, it became clear that a whole lake approach was necessary. In 2013 Clearwater Lake Association Board (Now Clearwater Lake Conservancy) took over treatment of Eurasian Milfoil. The Board evaluated the the options, talked with the DNR and discussed treatment approaches and success rates with other lakes in the area fighting Eurasian Milfoil. The Board recommended a containment approach through chemical treatment using a professional to the Lake Association. 
A DNR permit is required every year that defines the area to be treated.
The DNR may limit the treatment request based upon the a lake's littoral zone, the areas of infection, and the time of year of treatment. The littoral zone is the near shore area where sunlight penetrates all the way to the sediment and allows aquatic plants (macrophytes) to grow. Clearwater Lake's littoral zone is in yellow. Clearwater Lake the treatment area is restricted to a maximum treatment area of 37 acres. They have also restricted treatment in areas does not affect owner use. For example, along the shore of Clearwater Forest Camp that are not actively used. Depending on the treatment, areas of rushes or lilly pads must be treated in the fall, after the native species of died off for the year.
MN DNR must approve the chemical being used for chemical treatment.
Original chemical treatment was a DNR approved 2-4-D based product. In 2019, a test area was designated using a highly recommended DNR approved product called ProcellaCORp. The test results were very impressive and in 2020 we treated all 37 acres with ProcellaCORp. The following year, 2021 the results were stunning. We treated only .67 acres with chemicals and hired a professional dive team to hand pull the remaining acres. 2022 we hand pulled all identified areas.
The Board remains vigilant in monitoring the lake, working with a consultant and keeping the Lake Associations Members aware of the status and treatment plans each year.
Maps of InfectionFundingThe lake association asked for member donations and has pursued state, county and DNR grants to support our treatment plan. There has also been a large donor, our Friends of the Lake that has been very generous.
Eurasian Milfoil Management Summary
Treatments Signatures
2023 MILFOIL IS BACK
Eurasian MilFoil
Boating around the lake, you can see this is a horrible Eurasian Milfoil year. It appeared to explode everywhere. Our lake is not unique, many lakes have experienced a bad year for this invasive.
The Clearwater Lake Conservancy ordered an early survey and a fall survey - you can see the maps on the Invasive Maps. Based upon the first survey, The Dive Guys were hired for an 8 hour day to clear the patches in heavy traffic areas. On July 12 five to six bobcat loads of milfoil were removed from 3 - 5 patches. This cleared the higher risk areas but left the majority of the lake untreated. The Clearwater Lake Conservancy voted to do a chemical treatment with Procellacor on 11.33 acres This will treat areas approved for mid-summer treatment by the DNR. The remaining areas will be treated in the fall when the native plants such as bullrush and lily pads have died off. The summer treatment was done on 8/24/2023. A 2nd survey was performed on 9/8/2023. Based upon this survey, the board requested a permit to treat an additional 10.95 acres with Procellacor once the natives have gone dormant in the fall.
Chemical treatment requires landowner approval within 150 feet of shore. As in previous years, the DNR is allowing us to use the "opt out" method, which mean approval is assumed with notification. Land owners are required to notify the Clearwater Lake Conservancy if they do not want herbicide treatment. To do this please contact Charlie Lick as soon as possible. The first wave of chemical treatment is roughly the week of 8/21.
Patches of milfoil in front of property whose owner has "opted out" of chemical treatment may be hand pulled.
See the formal chemical notice here.
Monitoring The Boat Landing
Clearwater Conservancy Board approved additional Boat Landing Monitoring for 2023. We added Friday coverage and additional hours over Memorial Day Weekend. This coverage added 144 hours of coverage over the summer.
2022 Great Milfoil Report
Eurasian MilFoil
Our Eurasian Milfoil survey showed very little Milfoil in our lake this year. Thirty-nine (39) sites were identified in the survey. Twenty-six (26) sites / 4.8 areas was recommended eligible for chemical treatment. The rest were all recommended as hand pulling. Due to the limited infestation, the board decided to use Hand Pulling as a treatment for all 39 sites. No Chemical treatments were done in 2022.
You can see the maps on the Invasive Maps page and the full report on the Lake Reports page. Curly Leaf Pondweed
Curly Leaf Pondweed did come back this Spring. Due to it's limited area and that it arrives early and fades early, the Board decided not to treat this invasive this year. We will continue to monitor the patch and review treatment next year.
Zebra Mussels and Spiny Water Flees
Once again we came back as "Absent" for Zebra Mussels and Spiny Water Fleas. See the full report on the Lake Reports page. Clearwater lakes report card is on page 6.
Monitoring The Boat Landing.
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