We just got off the lake tonight and it was a beautiful and quiet evening on the water. There was a rainstorm and it cleared up quickly. As a result, there were no big boats or waves to disturb us. There was no wind to push us around. We were just enjoying the setting sun and relaxing. The temperature was perfect. Just awesome and no one else figured it out! (except a few fisherman).
"If you're lucky enough to live on a lake, you're lucky enough."
Earlier this week, I saw some pictures of Purple Loosestrife (PLS), which is a beautiful purple flow that grows on in marshes. The problem is that it replaces the cattails and prevents wildlife from entering. It is an invasive plant introduce from Europe and threatens our marshes. It is now in full bloom and it has a significant footing on the north end of the lake. I have also seen it at the end of Bald Eagle Point, near the boat launch and on the south shore of the Benson Bay neighborhood.
I am in communications with the DNR to determine the best course of action to control the plant. They will be out on the lake this week to get a better picture of the infestation.
There are three approaches and we may use all three. We can control with weed killer (variant of Roundup), manual removal and beetles that eat the plants and keep it under control (not eliminate it).
If you see the plant in your vicinity and can remove it, that would be great. They recommend not even composting it. It is best to throw it in the garbage.
I checked the water clarity this weekend. It was 5.5 ft. Still pretty awesome
Sunset tonight
Take care,
Jim Moore
This comment is not about the purple loosestrife but about the incredible amount of weeds in the lake this year. We live on the North end of the lake. The weeds are thicker than I have ever seen in my 28 years living here. Perhaps the result of the new water clarity? The weeds are about half way across the lake and make it very difficult to get the pontoon boat out.
ReplyDeleteI agree. It's really bad in front of my house on the south side. Basically, all water a few feet either side of 6 ft deep is thick with weeds. RCWD did a survey of the lake last month and I expect to hear about it soon.
DeletePerhaps while you are talking with the DNR you could find out the best way to keep the cattails from disappearing from the east bay. I am concerned that they "grass island" is shrinking little by little. I enjoy the birds that stay there.
ReplyDelete