Aggressive Milfoil Treatment Planned in Wolfeboro

ike · 05-13-2005, 04:59 PM

Suncook Lakes Association with UNH and DES tried a program last year to eradicate Milfoil from the lakes. It appears the program was a success. They used divers with GPS to relay the spots to personnel on aboard pontoon boats. The information was entered on to laptop computers. The information was reviewed and about a week later the treatment began. There was no swimming for 5 days last summer.

Zee · 05-14-2005, 04:50 PM

Pier 19 also has a significant milfoil problem. Lots of boats are launched there. Is the problem associated with the 19-mile river. If so why doesn't Twenty mile bay have any since it also has a similar river.

mcdude · 06-02-2005, 07:36 AM

The treatment will begin on June 8 when Aquatic Control Technology of Sutton, MA will treat the entire bay with a chemical known as 2,4-D, a systematic herbicide. "The chemical will be embedded into clay-like pellets that will be spread from an airboat, using a rotary spreader." The pellets sink to the bottom where they are absorbed into the root of the milfoil plant. It is spread at a ratio of 100 pounds per acre. Too little or too much and it doesn't work properly. If too much is spread it burns the plant and is NOT taken up into the root and the plant responds by rapidly increasing its growth rate and developing a resistance to the herbicide. The chemical works by interfering with the plant's photosynthetic process. The Crescent Lake dam will be closed to "make things pretty quiet in order to ensure good penetration." It was reported on (Lower) Suncook Lake (in Barnstead) that a native plant called Bladderwort, that looks like milfoil but doesn't have its' aggressive qualities, was seen shortly after treatment growing up through the dying milfoil plants. Ed Neister, Chairman of Barnstead's Suncook Lake Association's Milfoil Committee, said that the fish, bird, mussel and native plant populations were unharmed by the treatment. The mussels are thought to be the most sensitive animals in the lake environment. Neister reported that after treatment the mussels were "fat, dumb and happy. The treatment didn't bother them at all." No wells were affected. It generally takes water about two years to migrate to well sites and the 2,4-D breaks down within a month. The Back Bay project will cost about $10,000 of which $3,500 will be reimbursed by grants.

mcdude · 06-13-2005, 11:47 AM

Here is the final report submitted to the N.H. Department of Environmental Services declaring success in the fight against milfoil on Lower Suncook Lake. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

CLICK HERE FOR REPORT

Let's hope they meet with as much success in Wolfeboro.

05-13-2005, 04:59 PM	#1
ike Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 15 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Milfoil Suncook Lakes Association with UNH and DES tried a program last year to eradicate Milfoil from the lakes. It appears the program was a success. They used divers with GPS to relay the spots to personnel on aboard pontoon boats. The information was entered on to laptop computers. The information was reviewed and about a week later the treatment began. There was no swimming for 5 days last summer.

05-14-2005, 04:50 PM	#2
Zee Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Union Wharf, Tuftonboro Posts: 173 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 1 Post	Pier 19 Pier 19 also has a significant milfoil problem. Lots of boats are launched there. Is the problem associated with the 19-mile river. If so why doesn't Twenty mile bay have any since it also has a similar river.

06-02-2005, 07:36 AM	#3
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,367 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,057 Times in 495 Posts	More on Milfoil The treatment will begin on June 8 when Aquatic Control Technology of Sutton, MA will treat the entire bay with a chemical known as 2,4-D, a systematic herbicide. "The chemical will be embedded into clay-like pellets that will be spread from an airboat, using a rotary spreader." The pellets sink to the bottom where they are absorbed into the root of the milfoil plant. It is spread at a ratio of 100 pounds per acre. Too little or too much and it doesn't work properly. If too much is spread it burns the plant and is NOT taken up into the root and the plant responds by rapidly increasing its growth rate and developing a resistance to the herbicide. The chemical works by interfering with the plant's photosynthetic process. The Crescent Lake dam will be closed to "make things pretty quiet in order to ensure good penetration." It was reported on (Lower) Suncook Lake (in Barnstead) that a native plant called Bladderwort, that looks like milfoil but doesn't have its' aggressive qualities, was seen shortly after treatment growing up through the dying milfoil plants. Ed Neister, Chairman of Barnstead's Suncook Lake Association's Milfoil Committee, said that the fish, bird, mussel and native plant populations were unharmed by the treatment. The mussels are thought to be the most sensitive animals in the lake environment. Neister reported that after treatment the mussels were "fat, dumb and happy. The treatment didn't bother them at all." No wells were affected. It generally takes water about two years to migrate to well sites and the 2,4-D breaks down within a month. The Back Bay project will cost about $10,000 of which $3,500 will be reimbursed by grants.

06-13-2005, 11:47 AM	#4
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,367 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,057 Times in 495 Posts	Winning the fight with Milfoil Here is the final report submitted to the N.H. Department of Environmental Services declaring success in the fight against milfoil on Lower Suncook Lake. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.) CLICK HERE FOR REPORT Let's hope they meet with as much success in Wolfeboro.