Containment Approach

At the 2015 annual meeting, the Clearwater Lake Association Board presented a comparison of plans for invasive species management.   Optimal treatments require a lot of money and our goal was to be as aggressive as we could afford.   An invasive species fund was started and a more was asked of our members.  Thanks to all of you, we have been able to raise enough money to make a difference.   So thank you all.

Bay Lake has been fighting Milfoil for 20+ years.  We wanted to learn form their hard work, so our milfoil volunteers talked to their milfoil volunteers.   Bay Lake follows a containment strategy with two targeted treatments per year.   Since milfoil is almost impossible to eradicate from a lake once it is infected, we adopted the same plan.  Our treatment strategy is
prioritized containment, and expanded treatment when funds are available.

Maps of Infection

See the progression and regression of our Milfoil Infestation Maps here.  2020 Map Now Available!

Treatments Signatures

The DNR no longer requires signature authorization for treating the lake in front of a homeowners lot. 

However, Clearwater Lake Association has decided it is best to acquire, in writing, permission from all owners where treatment is being considered.   We will update the web with treatment plans and initiate contact with all affected lake owners prior to treatment.
If you want to let us know you will allow or deny
treatment please contact.
Charlie Lick
Charleslick@me.com
612-508-3514

Funding

The 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.

Treatment Summary


2020

PictureMilfoil Mat in SE corner July 28, 2020

  • Milfoil Treatment was completed on 10/7/2020.  
  • Milfoil survey was performed in July.   See the full Report on the Lake Reports page or here to access directly.  The survey map is also on the Invasive Maps page.
    • It showed our Milfoil is back up to 2015 levels.   (note that we changed surveyors this year and products last year)
    • The worst progressing areas are in the SE shore of the lake (Ladyslipper Lane and Crocked Lake Road access)
    • The 2 trial areas show:
      • The untreated area along the NE shore of Clearwater Camp is still there.
      • The Procellacor area in the SW corner (NW corner of the south most bay) improved dramatically, with only a few small density sites.
  • The report recommends treating 37.7 acres, with most areas recommended with a fall treatment.
  • The following plan has been decided upon.
    • The board has decided to pursue treating all areas recommended by the 2020 Eurasian Watermilfoil Delineation report hired by the board in the July.  See the full Report on the Lake Reports page or here to access directly.
    • 3 quotes were solicited with 2 responding vendors.  Clarke was selected and is scheduled to do treatment in Late-Sept to October 2020.  *note the survey and the treatment contractor are separate, unrelated companies
    • The board reached out to Tim Plude from the DNR to review our report and recommend a treatment approach. THE DNR HAS APPROVED OUR PLAN.
    • Tim Plude, Brainerd, DNR has confirmed we can do alternative landowner notification as we have done in years past.  
    • Treatment was completed on 10/17/2020.
  • How to Pay for the Treatment
    • The approximate cost is $34,000.  
    • Clearwater Lake will receive $5,000 -$6,000 in country and DNR grants.
    • The rest of the cost will be covered with current allocated Environmental Funds and donations from our members.   Thanks to all who already made donations to our Environment Fund to cover these costs!  The “ask” we made this year was for $350 (tax-deductible), with additional amounts much appreciated.
Picture

You can send any donations to

Barb Schmitz
2643 New Century Place east
Maplewood, MN 55119


Use our on-line donation option

Formal Alternative Notification

Pest to be targeted:   Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM)
Pesticide to be used:  ProcellaCOR
Proposed dates for treatment:  Mid-Sept to Oct 2020
Landowner decision: 
  • If you DO NOT want EWM treated on your shoreline send an email that you “Opt out of treatment in 2020,” including your property address, to charleslick@me.com.
  • If you approve treatment by your property no other action is required.

Copy of the e-mail distributed to all known e-mails associated with Clearwater Lake: here.

Eurasian Milfoil Management Summary

  • 2019: 
    • The DNR inspected our lake for the appropriate permits and approved 17 acres.  
    • Switched product to 2-4-D GRANULAR for a more direct application.  Results were very poor.   Could be our milfoil has become resistant to this treatment, or that the application failed for some reason.
    • Several undeveloped areas were left untreated as a control group to monitor. 
    • Permission to treat in front of a property was required.
    • Notified Lake Members with Treatment Plan Newsletter.  Read the Newsletter.
    • Did a test area with a new highly recommended product Procellacor. - Results were very good.
    • Did water testing after treatment to determine concentrations of chemicals.   See Water Testing Results.
    • Hired a Limnologist to review the treatment and water testing.   See his report Analysis of 2,4-D Treatment
2019 Treatment Newsletter
File Size: 14593 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
WaterTreatmentLabResults.pdf
File Size: 713 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
TreatmentAnalysis.pdf
File Size: 5998 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
  • 2018: No Treatment was done to allow the Board to do research on lake members concerns.
  • 2017:  Central Minnesota Aquatics has done an initial lake survey that shows great success; Letter from Central Minnesota Aquatics.   It is early in the year and another survey will be performed with the spring treatment.   It is estimated there will be 14 acres treated at a cost of roughly $15,000.
  • 2016: We did both a spring and fall treatment covering 23 acres.   The total cost was $20,600.   The state grants have been removed from the state budget. 
  • 2015:  A spring treatment of 37 acres was done in June, 2015.  State and county grants of $8,700 helped cover the treatment cost of $30,000.   The spring treatment was so successful, that the fall treatment was canceled.
  • 2014:  A fall treatment of 37 acres was done in 2014.  State and county grants of $8,700 helped cover the treatment cost of $26,400.
  • 2013:  One fall treatment of 10 acres was done in 2013.  A state grant of $1,500 received to help cover the treatment cost $8,000.  The treated area showed 70% reduction in milfoil.  Unfortunately, the treatment process revealed that we have many more acres of infection then previously thought.
  • 2011 & 2012:  Homeowner treatments.  Minimal success.