PROJECTS
ProcellaCOR 2024: Comprehensive Aquatic Management Initiative
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The Lake District is advancing its commitment to preserving our aquatic environment by implementing a two-pronged approach: mechanical harvesting and a new chemical treatment strategy to address the pervasive issue of Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM).
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Selecting ProcellaCOR: A Strategic Decision
Following thorough evaluation and expert consultations with Solitude Lake Management and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), the district board has opted for Florpyrauxifen-benzyl, commercially known as ProcellaCOR. This herbicide is distinguished by its high selectivity, effectively targeting only EWM by simulating one of its essential growth hormones. This targeted approach ensures minimal impact on native flora, which play a crucial role in nutrient absorption and algae reduction. Furthermore, these native plants are vital in preventing the spread of Starry Stonewort, another invasive species.
Key Milestones:
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2024-Jan - Appointment of Solitude Lake Management as the official chemical applicator.
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2024-Mar - Submission of the necessary permit application to the WDNR by the board.
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2024-Apr - Approval of the permit by the WDNR.
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2024-Jun - Application of ProcellaCOR in late June.
Mechanical Harvesting
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Using paddle-wheeled cutter barges, aquatic plants are cut and removed to a deposit site. This method of nuisance plant management is recommended by the SEWPRC report and has an advantage over chemical herbicides in that it removes nutrients from the lake. The primary target species are Curly Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water Milfoil.
A Five-year permit has been issued by the WDNR covering 2023 - 2027.
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Activities:
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2024: 1 round of harvesting with Midwest Aquatics
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​5/20 - 5/31, 192 cubic yards of weeds were removed from the lake. Weeds Harvested- E.Milfoil (90%), Curly Leaf Pondweed (40%), Common Pondweed (6%), Chara (2%), Pondweed (1%) and other weeds (1%).
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2023: 2 rounds of harvesting with Midwest Aquatics:
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6/12 -6/17, 12 dump truck loads, 95 cubic yards. 40% CLP & 40% EWM
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8/10 – 8/15, 16 dump truck loads, 128 cubic yards. 80% EWM
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We learned that harvesting is messy as some material escapes the harvester
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Removing shoreline floaters is very helpful and appreciated
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On the last day of each harvest, weeds will be collected from the end of piers
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Starry Stonewort
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Starry Stonewort is an invasive, non-native, aquatic algae belonging to the order Charales (includes all Chara and Stonewort species). SSW forms dense mats of vegetation that can reduce the diversity of native aquatic plants, impede the movement of fish and may impact spawning of some fish. Mats of SSW growing on the surface can reduce water flow and make recreational activities difficult. There are no effective chemical treatments available to treat SSW.
Starry Stonewort (SSW) was found in Lake Denoon during an aquatic plant survey performed in August 2022. The finding was confirmed by the WDNR in September. The LDLD board of commissioners created a subcommittee which worked with the WDNR to create a multi-step project plan to address SSW in our lake. The project plan includes monitoring, via additional partial and full aquatic plant surveys, actions to be taken based on these surveys and other actions to prevent further spread or infestations. An “AIS Rapid Response” grant application to fund this project was submitted and approved by the WDNR in March 2023. The timeframe for the project and the grant started in March 2023 and will end on December 31, 2026.
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Alum
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The district is pursuing a whole-lake treatment of aluminum sulfate (Alum) to reduce the internal lake loading of phosphorus. Alum binds to phosphorous making it bio-unavailable to plants and algae. This project was selected based on the advice of the SEWRPC Management Plan, and industry experts, as having the highest priority and return-on-investment. The district is seeking financing from a 75% reimbursement WDNR Surface Water Grant and a loan from BCPL to be repaid through normal district member special assessment revenue.
Excess phosphorus is the leading cause of water quality problems in Lake Denoon and the sediment phosphorus has accumulated over decades. Lake Denoon is unique in that it has a relatively small watershed with no continuous outflow which means that inbound nutrients remain and don't easily flush out. These characteristics make Lake Denoon particularly well suited for Alum and the benefits of this project are expected to last for 10-20 years. This is the first action taken, in the the lake's history, to address the nutrient pollution already in the lake.
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Update - Spring 2023:
Our 2022 grant submission was not selected for funding in 2023. The board plans to strengthen the grant application and will resubmit for future consideration.
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Clean Boats Clean Waters (CBCW)
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This is a program where trained inspectors work at the boat launches, inspecting visiting trailers and boats as they enter our lake to reduce spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). The inspectors interview visiting boaters and educate them about AIS and best practices when moving from lake to lake.
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This program has been determined to be highly effective in slowing the spread of AIS including Starry-Stonewort.
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The LDLD Board of Commissioners applied for, and was awarded a 75% matching grant to fund this program. This means that we can pay individuals to work the launches. We are currently looking for help in administering and working the program. Please consider helping by contacting any Commissioner or sending an email to cbcw@ldld.org.
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Monitoring - Lake & Tributaries
A few dedicated volunteers are monitoring the water quality in the lake and its tributaries through the CLMN and WAV programs. We measure temperature, clarity, and chlorophyll-A in the lake and dissolved oxygen, clarity, volume, and macroinvertebrates in the tributaries. These data are uploaded into the SWIMS database to track our lake's changes over time which helps us target measures to mitigate eutrophication.
Please email monitors@ldld.org if you are interested in learning more.
Sonar Treatment - This project has concluded.
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A whole-lake treatment with Sonar (Fluridone) has been completed in 2019/2020. This material was determined by the LDAA and LDLD to be the best option for controlling the two most prominent invasive weed species Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) and Curly Leaf Pondweed (CLP). The project consisted of a primary application conducted in June 2019 with a booster application in mid summer and a spring 2020 booster. The selected vendor was Marine Biochemists. The project was financed through a loan which was repaid with normal LDLD special assessment revenues. Financing was secured through the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL). The DNR approved our request and issued our permit. The initial product application was conducted on 6/3/19. The treatment worked as expected with good control of EWM growth. In the first year, control of EWM was very successful with no plants visible above the water surface. We were able to maintain the Sonar product in-lake level at or above 2 parts per billion (ppb) after the initial application as recommended. As called for in the plan, we took a series of residual measurements and the Sonar product levels had fallen below 2ppb so our vendor conducted booster applications on 8/14/19 & 11/4/19.
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Update 2020
After approval of our 2020 permit, the final booster Sonar application was conducted on 6/9/20. Although the EWM has successfully been controlled, the CLP has taken advantage of the available nutrients and space in the absence of EWM and is as rampant as the EWM prior to treatment. Hopefully, the boost of Sonar will slow the CLP spread. CLP will naturally die off in mid-summer.
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As a final step in the project, our vendor has conducted an aquatic plant survey. The survey report can be found here and has been submitted to the DNR. The report will inform the DNR as to what abatement remedies will be recommended / permitted in subsequent years.
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