Lone Star Lake to be closed for treatment of Eurasian Watermilfoil

06/14/2012
Douglas County plans to treat the infestation of Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) at Lone Star Lake on June 25 & June 26, weather permitting. This exotic, invasive plant will be treated with Aquathol-K, an herbicide approved by the EPA for water application. If treatment occurs as planned on June 25, Lone Star Lake will be closed to all water activities, i.e. fishing and swimming, from June 25 through June 28. In addition to staying out of the water and not fishing on those dates, it is recommended residents and park visitors keep dogs or other pets from drinking the treated lake water. If weather or other issues prevent treatment on June 25, alternate treatment dates are July 16 & 17, which would require the lake to be closed July 16 through July 19. The treated areas will be inspected 2 - 3 weeks after treatment. If deemed necessary, some areas may be retreated at that time. We anticipate these will be spot locations, and we do not anticipate closing the lake for retreatment. Richard Sanders, Fisheries Biologist for the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks, will apply the herbicide and provided the following information concerning Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM): Unlike curlyleaf pondweed, EWM does not die off early in the summer, rather it continues to grow throughout the growing season. EWM is a submersed plant rooted to the bottom and growing up to the surface. It commonly occupies water down to 15 feet deep, but has been reported down to 30 feet in very clear water. A dense canopy often forms at the suface of the water, which interferes with recreational uses of water such as boating, fishing, and swimming. Excessive growth of the species may alter aquatic ecosystems by decreasing native plant and animal diversity and abundance and by affecting the predator/prey relationships of fish. A healthy lake is damaged because heavy infestations of EWM lower dissolved oxygen under the canopy, increase daily pH shifts, reduce water movement and wave action, increase sedimentation rates and reduce turbidity.

Related Links:
Douglas County Website - http://www.douglas-county.com

Media Contact:
Keith Browning, Public Works Director
Public Works Department
785-832-5293
kbrowning@douglas-county.com