| By PATRICK L. SULLIVAN April, 16, 2009 |
At the annual meeting in October we discussed the possibility of trying a weevil program to reduce the Eurasian water milfoil beds. They are native to Connecticut and could provide a safe biological control alternative. We received a proposal from EnviroScience, a company starting the fourth year of a weevil treatment program on Indian Lake in Millerton.
The proposal for our lake would start with one bed to be expanded in each of the next two years with a final survey done in the fourth year. Although the cost for the first year would be $10,713, it appears we would have to follow through with the whole program at a cost of $51,498 to make any real determination of its impact.
Our proposal called for 6,000 weevils in the first year. EnviroScience says a 1,600-acre lake in Michigan showed dramatic results in the first year, but they used 60,000 to 70,000 weevils.
We decided at the board meeting April 4 to put off a weevil program for another year. One reason was that we would have to stop harvesting and hydro-raking anywhere near the area where the weevils were installed. We thought we should have more time to discuss the project with neighboring property owners.
NOTE: If hydro-raking and harvesting would have to stop, what impact would there be with Bass Fisherman powering in a out of the coves?
Although Joe Stineman at Indian Lake is satisfied with the program so far it is difficult for the casual observer to see a dramatic improvement after three years. Chuck Lee at the state DEP Lake Management Bureau doesn’t believe the weevils will work in our lake and points to the program tried one year at Twin Lakes. Greg Bugbee at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station is also skeptical because our lake is open with lots of deep water.
Although Joe Stineman at Indian Lake is satisfied with the program so far it is difficult for the casual observer to see a dramatic improvement after three years. Chuck Lee at the state DEP Lake Management Bureau doesn’t believe the weevils will work in our lake and points to the program tried one year at Twin Lakes. Greg Bugbee at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station is also skeptical because our lake is open with lots of deep water.
NOTE: Candlewood Lake has approximately 60 miles plus of shore line, would the weevils be distributed along the shore line and coves? If the answer is yes, then would the bass fishing be compromised? Would the use of power boats be impacted?
And Michelle Marko, who has done post-doctoral work on weevils in Connecticut lakes over the past couple of years, says weevils do best in small lakes or sheltered bays and coves. She found only a small number of weevils around our lake, which raises the question of why they don’t thrive here. The whole idea is the stocked weevils will thrive, procreate enthusiastically, and survive the winter to attack the milfoil the next year in larger and larger numbers.
Fishing season opens Saturday, April 18. Please join us at 5:15 a.m. to greet the fisherfolk at the Town Grove. The idea is to make sure everyone knows how important it is to keep zebra mussels out of the lake. Boats have to be dry or hot washed before launching. It only takes about an hour or two to greet them. The trailers can be lined up all the way down to the firehouse before the gate opens. Two or three really enthusiastic fishermen get in line by sundown Friday night to be first on the lake for a new season.
And Michelle Marko, who has done post-doctoral work on weevils in Connecticut lakes over the past couple of years, says weevils do best in small lakes or sheltered bays and coves. She found only a small number of weevils around our lake, which raises the question of why they don’t thrive here. The whole idea is the stocked weevils will thrive, procreate enthusiastically, and survive the winter to attack the milfoil the next year in larger and larger numbers.
Fishing season opens Saturday, April 18. Please join us at 5:15 a.m. to greet the fisherfolk at the Town Grove. The idea is to make sure everyone knows how important it is to keep zebra mussels out of the lake. Boats have to be dry or hot washed before launching. It only takes about an hour or two to greet them. The trailers can be lined up all the way down to the firehouse before the gate opens. Two or three really enthusiastic fishermen get in line by sundown Friday night to be first on the lake for a new season.
NOTE: What effect would such a program have on Candlewood Lake to aid in protecting the health of the lake?
Our Lake Keeper program is underway, led by Don Mayland, who is taking water measurements and samples this week to start our regular system of data collection. Much of the testing will be done at Hotchkiss and Don is encouraging participation of students from Hotchkiss and other area schools in the collection, testing and analysis of data and developments in the watershed.
Bruce Shearer prepared an update on the survey circulated last fall to help monitor the impact of using two weed harvesters last summer. Two-hundred forms were mailed and 45 responses have been received. The survey found that 85 percent of those who used the lake last summer for swimming, sailing, boating or fishing found access to be as good or better than the previous summer; 16 percent found access to be poor. All but one of those respondents gained access from a private home, which indicates our harvesting may need improvement in certain areas.
The Lake Association in brief
Q: Who pays for the weed harvesting?
A: The town does not provide funds to the association at all, but does support the Town Grove and pays for one round of milfoil harvesting. The town owns the harvester, which was purchased by the association and turned over to the town some 20 years ago. The cost to the town (including trucking) is between $35,000 and $40,000, according to First Selectman Curtis Rand.
The association pays for the second round of harvesting each summer (about $10,000.) The Hotchkiss School provides financial and technical assistance as well.
Q: What else does the association do at the lake?
A: The association uses its dues and contributions to pay for a guard at the Grove launch site in spring and fall (when the office is closed, to help with zebra mussel prevention) and pays for the benthic barrier mats at the Grove swimming area to eliminate the milfoil problem.
The association also funds various studies on lake vegetation, water quality and nutrient content.
© Copyright 2009 by TCExtra.com
Our Lake Keeper program is underway, led by Don Mayland, who is taking water measurements and samples this week to start our regular system of data collection. Much of the testing will be done at Hotchkiss and Don is encouraging participation of students from Hotchkiss and other area schools in the collection, testing and analysis of data and developments in the watershed.
Bruce Shearer prepared an update on the survey circulated last fall to help monitor the impact of using two weed harvesters last summer. Two-hundred forms were mailed and 45 responses have been received. The survey found that 85 percent of those who used the lake last summer for swimming, sailing, boating or fishing found access to be as good or better than the previous summer; 16 percent found access to be poor. All but one of those respondents gained access from a private home, which indicates our harvesting may need improvement in certain areas.
The Lake Association in brief
Q: Who pays for the weed harvesting?
A: The town does not provide funds to the association at all, but does support the Town Grove and pays for one round of milfoil harvesting. The town owns the harvester, which was purchased by the association and turned over to the town some 20 years ago. The cost to the town (including trucking) is between $35,000 and $40,000, according to First Selectman Curtis Rand.
The association pays for the second round of harvesting each summer (about $10,000.) The Hotchkiss School provides financial and technical assistance as well.
Q: What else does the association do at the lake?
A: The association uses its dues and contributions to pay for a guard at the Grove launch site in spring and fall (when the office is closed, to help with zebra mussel prevention) and pays for the benthic barrier mats at the Grove swimming area to eliminate the milfoil problem.
The association also funds various studies on lake vegetation, water quality and nutrient content.
© Copyright 2009 by TCExtra.com
