Milfoil

[Tighe]

From: Tim W.
Date: 07/18/02

Here's what I've heard on the weeds.

Milfoil is a Eurasian plant that thrives in shallow (<19ft) of warmer water, but needs lots of nutrient to thrive. Since the plant was brought here by mistake, and has no natural predators in our environment, it can over-run any shallow lake and kill most or all life in the lake in a matter of 7-10 years.

Any lake infected can expect infestation to grow each year in all shallow areas of the lake with stagnant water flow, and good nutrient content. Eventually clogging the lake surface, disrupting oxygen levels, causing fish kill, and generally killing much of the lake. Then the cycle repeats after the lake recovers, in 1-5 yrs.

The local lake weeds also thrive with good nutrient levels on the lake floor. With the runoff of yard/farm fertilizer into the lakes and streams providing the fertile 'ground' for our weed crop, we only need add the plants. The local stuff spreads and grows larger than previous years, and even a 1-inch chunk of milfoil can sprout an infestation in a new lake. Hence the signs to remove the stuff from watercraft when you leave the lake.

To kill the stuff with chemicals, you also kill all helpful local vegetation, making a re-infestation of milfoil easier, with no local competition. This also disrupts the food chain for fish, not killing 'em directly, but starving them after the local plants die, taking the food with 'em. Another option is to harvest with underwater 'combines'. Then spread the harvested weeds onto farm fields for fertilizer. This also damages any local plants and system biology, along with breaking up the existing milfoil into nice little new sprouts. These drift until they land and start another plant.

The spread started in the southern states first, and has killed several lakes on its way here. Texas has been battling the stuff for 20+ years.

The simple facts are right now there isn't much that can be done to exterminate the plant. Only control it a bit. Watercraft users are key to help contain the spread of the plant into virgin lakes, and re-investing lakes that have been killed off. Homeowners/Farmers can help by reducing their use of fertilizers on the yard/field. The DNR and others are looking into bugs that kill the plant, but the local fish really like the new bugs when released for tests in the local lakes! The battle continues·.

Watercraft users are key to help contain the spread of the Milfoil plant into virgin lakes, and re-investing lakes that have been killed off. Homeowners/Farmers can help by reducing their use of fertilizers on the yard/field, less food for the Lil'-buggers.

A good weed fin is the only option for now.