Milfoil Question

Onshore · 10-04-2004, 04:04 PM

I believe the 'cure' that folks are referencing is the chemical treatment of milfoil in Lower Suncook Lake in Barnstead. The lake was treated with 2,4-D, a systemic herbicide, in early spring 2004.

This particular chemical has been used in NH for several years, and does not have a track record of eradicating milfoil...nothing does at this point.

The significance of the Suncook Lake study was the level of detail that went into the planning, mapping, and treatment of the lake. Lake association residents mapped nearly every square inch of the lower lake, and using those data, the herbicide applicators did a very thorough treatment that effectively killed back the milfoil this summer.

It is important to note that milfoil root crowns may still be intact in the sediment (which means regrowth next season), even though the chemical is supposed to kill off the rooting systems. This is going to be a wait and see type of scenario. We are hopeful that the treatment eradicated the milfoil, but to date, success stories of full eradication are few and far between in New Hampshire and elsewhere.

Thanks to the fact that this lake has an active lake association, if milfoil regrowth does occur, it is likely that any new re-growth will be hand-pulled by trained divers so as to prevent the liklihood of a re-infestation.

Milfoil 'eradication' is still something that the State is trying to acheive. If this study should prove successful, then more detailed mapping and more directed and intensive treatments will be performed in the future, but time will tell.

As a note, it is ILLEGAL for anyone but licensed applicators to apply ANY herbicide into and adjacent to a waterbody or wetland in New Hampshire. A contractor that was licensed was hired to do the chemical treatment in Suncook Lake. Illegal use of chemicals within a waterbody is subject to a hefty fine, plus there is a strong liklihood that there could also be human or ecological health impacts if a treatment is done by an untrained, unlicensed individual.

For more information on exotic species, Suncook Lake updates, or other items, please visit the Exotic Species Program website at www.des.state.nh.us/wmb/exoticspecies.

For those interested in learning more about the Suncook Lake treatment, the Department of Environmental Services will be hosting a meeting on October 21st at 7pm in the Auditorium at the Department of Environmental Services, 29 Hazen Drive, where the lead contact from Suncook Lake will be making a presentation on their efforts at the lake.

madrasahs · 10-04-2004, 09:30 PM

1) Why is milfoil "such a problem?"

Winnipesaukee is a relatively cold lake -- and deep. There's little chance milfoil can grow to be the problem it is on Southern lakes, (where some lakes have a consistency of an oatmeal of chlorophyll). But those lakes are warm and shallow.

2) Why isn't mechanical harvesting a viable consideration?

Harvesting is done elsewhere, and since milfoil sequesters nitrogen and phosphorus, those compounds -- as well as the milfoil -- can be removed and used as mulch/fertilizer. (And create jobs).

Is there a better "milfoil-fragmenter" than a Jet-Ski's waterjet propulsion?

3) What are the long-term prospects of milfoil, anyway?

The acreage of forests surrounding Winnipesaukee is being reduced one hillside home after another: siltation, runoff, and fertilizers from hillside development will aid, not hinder milfoil spread.

Not only are more homes being converted to year-round use, a second tier of homes is being built behind the shorefront homes. Those existing homes (and acres) that are forest-friendly are being bulldozed upon their fiftieth anniversary -- and replaced by homes that put more "net organic load" on the lake.

Developers in the Winnipesaukee Basin should be assessed an environmental impact fee.

The long-term effect of "ridge development" is known.

The long-term effect of perpetual 2,4-D isn't known.

IMO

SIKSUKR · 10-05-2004, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madrasahs

1)

Is there a better "milfoil-fragmenter" than a Jet-Ski's waterjet propulsion?

IMO

There sure is.YOUR propeller driven outdrives!Think about it.My PWC has a very shallow 6 inch draft.I am pretty sure yours or anybody elses outdrives are a foot or more into the water and when proceeding through the milfoil,most certainly chop up a much bigger amount than I ever will,and you don't even know that what damage you have done.I almost never have milfoil in the intake.If I get even the slightest amount on the intake grate,I can't get any speed because of the cavitation so I take care to avoid it at all costs.This appears to be another baseless accusation to further someones cause against an activity one disagrees with. SS

Joe Kerr · 10-05-2004, 12:35 PM

Scientists are looking for ways to eradicate the exotic milfoil. They look for chemicals to kill it or stop it from growing. They look for ways to remove it. They look for insects or other creatures that might feed on the plant but not harm the lake. I suggest they examine non-traditional methods to rid the lake of the weed. Find some use for this stuff or make it a desirable product. Can you eat it or cook with it? Make tea? Weave it? Smoke it?

A non-traditional idea, for instance, would be plant grafting. If they could cross milfoil with cannabis sativa their problem would be solved. There would be so many people hand pulling the stuff from the lake that there wouldn't be any left. It would eventually become extinct at best or certainly under control at worst. People will dry it and smoke it and/or sell it. It might even be more pleasant to have around while we wait for this now hybrid weed to become extinct

.

Cleaning the boat when you take it out of the water and before you launch it (if you trailer the boat) is a help. Other than that and obviously not chopping the milfoil in the water, WHAT else can we do to help with the milfoil situationl?

Skipper · 10-05-2004, 10:07 PM

The milfoil needs light to grow. What if large, light blocking sheets were placed over milfoil infestations. Early in the growing season a few weeks of no light should kill the milfoil in those light blocked areas, roots and all.

Plant experts, does this have a chance of working?

mcdude · 10-06-2004, 07:32 AM

The approach of using "light blocker sheets" called bottom barriers is being utilized with some success on Squam Lake. click for more information This link also provides some information on proposed legislative action and, as Joe Kerr has asked, suggests some things you can do to help.
For an informative video (Windows Media Player) click on the link below.
Milfoil video: NH's Lakes Under Attack!
High speed Connection (ie 772 kbps DSL, cable modem, satellite) - 33.1 MB file
(approximately 7 minute download time)
Slower Connection (ie 56 kbps modem) - 12.9 MB file
(approximately 44 minute download time)
If the link above doesn't work it can be found below
click for milfoil video
For a list of New Hampshire Conservation organizations working to combat invasive species click here

Photo of a bottom barrier on Squam Lake.

10-04-2004, 04:04 PM	#1
Onshore Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 503 Thanks: 12 Thanked 425 Times in 146 Posts	New milfoil 'cure' I believe the 'cure' that folks are referencing is the chemical treatment of milfoil in Lower Suncook Lake in Barnstead. The lake was treated with 2,4-D, a systemic herbicide, in early spring 2004. This particular chemical has been used in NH for several years, and does not have a track record of eradicating milfoil...nothing does at this point. The significance of the Suncook Lake study was the level of detail that went into the planning, mapping, and treatment of the lake. Lake association residents mapped nearly every square inch of the lower lake, and using those data, the herbicide applicators did a very thorough treatment that effectively killed back the milfoil this summer. It is important to note that milfoil root crowns may still be intact in the sediment (which means regrowth next season), even though the chemical is supposed to kill off the rooting systems. This is going to be a wait and see type of scenario. We are hopeful that the treatment eradicated the milfoil, but to date, success stories of full eradication are few and far between in New Hampshire and elsewhere. Thanks to the fact that this lake has an active lake association, if milfoil regrowth does occur, it is likely that any new re-growth will be hand-pulled by trained divers so as to prevent the liklihood of a re-infestation. Milfoil 'eradication' is still something that the State is trying to acheive. If this study should prove successful, then more detailed mapping and more directed and intensive treatments will be performed in the future, but time will tell. As a note, it is ILLEGAL for anyone but licensed applicators to apply ANY herbicide into and adjacent to a waterbody or wetland in New Hampshire. A contractor that was licensed was hired to do the chemical treatment in Suncook Lake. Illegal use of chemicals within a waterbody is subject to a hefty fine, plus there is a strong liklihood that there could also be human or ecological health impacts if a treatment is done by an untrained, unlicensed individual. For more information on exotic species, Suncook Lake updates, or other items, please visit the Exotic Species Program website at www.des.state.nh.us/wmb/exoticspecies. For those interested in learning more about the Suncook Lake treatment, the Department of Environmental Services will be hosting a meeting on October 21st at 7pm in the Auditorium at the Department of Environmental Services, 29 Hazen Drive, where the lead contact from Suncook Lake will be making a presentation on their efforts at the lake.

10-04-2004, 09:30 PM	#2
madrasahs Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 381 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	No Problemo 1) Why is milfoil "such a problem?" Winnipesaukee is a relatively cold lake -- and deep. There's little chance milfoil can grow to be the problem it is on Southern lakes, (where some lakes have a consistency of an oatmeal of chlorophyll). But those lakes are warm and shallow. 2) Why isn't mechanical harvesting a viable consideration? Harvesting is done elsewhere, and since milfoil sequesters nitrogen and phosphorus, those compounds -- as well as the milfoil -- can be removed and used as mulch/fertilizer. (And create jobs). Is there a better "milfoil-fragmenter" than a Jet-Ski's waterjet propulsion? 3) What are the long-term prospects of milfoil, anyway? The acreage of forests surrounding Winnipesaukee is being reduced one hillside home after another: siltation, runoff, and fertilizers from hillside development will aid, not hinder milfoil spread. Not only are more homes being converted to year-round use, a second tier of homes is being built behind the shorefront homes. Those existing homes (and acres) that are forest-friendly are being bulldozed upon their fiftieth anniversary -- and replaced by homes that put more "net organic load" on the lake. Developers in the Winnipesaukee Basin should be assessed an environmental impact fee. The long-term effect of "ridge development" is known. The long-term effect of perpetual 2,4-D isn't known. IMO

10-05-2004, 12:35 PM	#4
Joe Kerr Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 92 Thanks: 23 Thanked 16 Times in 5 Posts	Milfoil - think out of the box Scientists are looking for ways to eradicate the exotic milfoil. They look for chemicals to kill it or stop it from growing. They look for ways to remove it. They look for insects or other creatures that might feed on the plant but not harm the lake. I suggest they examine non-traditional methods to rid the lake of the weed. Find some use for this stuff or make it a desirable product. Can you eat it or cook with it? Make tea? Weave it? Smoke it? A non-traditional idea, for instance, would be plant grafting. If they could cross milfoil with cannabis sativa their problem would be solved. There would be so many people hand pulling the stuff from the lake that there wouldn't be any left. It would eventually become extinct at best or certainly under control at worst. People will dry it and smoke it and/or sell it. It might even be more pleasant to have around while we wait for this now hybrid weed to become extinct . Cleaning the boat when you take it out of the water and before you launch it (if you trailer the boat) is a help. Other than that and obviously not chopping the milfoil in the water, WHAT else can we do to help with the milfoil situationl? __________________ ~ Joe Kerr

10-05-2004, 10:07 PM	#5
Skipper Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 35 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Milfoil question The milfoil needs light to grow. What if large, light blocking sheets were placed over milfoil infestations. Early in the growing season a few weeks of no light should kill the milfoil in those light blocked areas, roots and all. Plant experts, does this have a chance of working? __________________ Skipper Learn to be a real Skipper, click HERE and learn more.

10-06-2004, 07:32 AM	#6
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	Bottom Barriers The approach of using "light blocker sheets" called bottom barriers is being utilized with some success on Squam Lake. click for more information This link also provides some information on proposed legislative action and, as Joe Kerr has asked, suggests some things you can do to help. For an informative video (Windows Media Player) click on the link below. Milfoil video: NH's Lakes Under Attack! High speed Connection (ie 772 kbps DSL, cable modem, satellite) - 33.1 MB file (approximately 7 minute download time) Slower Connection (ie 56 kbps modem) - 12.9 MB file (approximately 44 minute download time) If the link above doesn't work it can be found below click for milfoil video For a list of New Hampshire Conservation organizations working to combat invasive species click here Photo of a bottom barrier on Squam Lake.