Aquatic Committee Report
We are in the midst of the initial planning requirements for our aquatic plant management plan for the coming summer season. The plan begins with the published public notice advising that the WWMD will be providing riparian owners with waterway plant management services, to be contracted with a biological service provider, qualified by the WI Dept. of Natural Resources.
Our guidelines for aquatic plant management are based on historical data which has benchmarked past waterway treatment results, with established empirical information. It is then analyzed and compared to assess results, with physical sampling during an annual pre-treatment survey that guides the biologists and the WIDNR to determine the current corrective action plans.
Even as our last year’s summer season saw unique high water and flooding, our biologists final results report for Tichigan Lake water quality found most values within a normal range, to even reduced levels from the previous two years, as they expected more significant impacts from the flooding. Indications show that during the flooding, phosphorus had a greater value than normal and this elevated level may still lead to increases in algae production during this coming season. The lake is used as a benchmark area due to the volume of this basin.
These past records indicate our aquatic plant management is providing a positive transition in the waterway, from almost out-of-control choked solid from the Eurasian water milfoil (EWM) invasive plant, to now seeing and recording four new native plant species not seen in previous years that were unable to establish themselves due to the heavy growth of EWM. Given space to grow, these new species can provide a more balanced habitat for aquatic life.
IMPORTANT! At this writing, our State Senate has announced the introduction of 2009 Senate Bill 5 to prohibit to sell or use phosphorus in lawn fertilizer. This bill will be discussed on Feb. 11th and we request you write our Assembly Representative Scott Gunderson to request his support in favor of this bill.
Note that all tests indicate we have too much phosphorus in our waterway that feeds your plants too much food! This season use only phosphorus-free fertilizer – that’s the middle number in the three primary contents of the product. Should you contract with an applicator, please help our waterway by accepting only phosphorus-free applications. Any responsible applicator has this mix available at no extra cost. Reminder – the Town of Waterford also prohibits use.
Want to know more about Wisconsin Aquatic Plant Management (APM)? Visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource Website to view information about the APM (click on the link).
Safe and Careful Waterway Use…Summer is just around the corner!