Vegetative growth:
After decades of zero in-water vegetation, we finally have plant life within the lake – this is a very positive and healthy attribute and is a result of better water clarity which allows sunlight to reach the lakebed. I took samples of the vegetation and submitted it to Aquatic Control for identification to make sure the plants are not invasive. The plant has been identified as coontail (ceratophyllum demersum). It is a native species that in general is regarded as beneficial as fish habitat. It also can be very effective filter of water, trapping sediments and out competing algae growth when populations are established. It can, however, grow in dense strands. The growth does not always become problematic on lakes and can just be contained to certain areas. Spot treatment utilizes contact herbicides. Since the lake is a drinking water supply, herbicidal use is limited and would require approval by IDEM drinking water division. Mechanical removal (i.e. rake) is viable for this species as it does not have a true root system and is not an overly prolific fragment spreader. At this point, the best recommendation from Aquatic Control is to leave it alone as it is beneficial to the health of our lake and ecosystem. Gina Julien