EWM Update – July 2024
Fellow Lake Minocqua & Kawaga Enthusiasts –
Hope this finds you well and enjoying the Summer of 2024.
As fellow lake enthusiasts and members of the Minocqua Kawaguesaga Lakes Protection Association (MKLPA), we’d like to update you on the efforts the association is pursuing in mitigating the Eurasian WaterMilfoil in Lakes Minocqua and Kawaguesaga.
MKLPA has been serving the area since 1997, when we were formed as a not-for-profit organization (501c(3)) to promote lake safety and preservation and protection of our cherished waters. One of the most extensive and expensive tasks is that of attempting to mitigate the spread on invasive species such as Eurasian WaterMilfoil (EWM). MKLPA, thru grants, donations, and membership, funds the “Clean Boats, Clean Water” program at our local boat landing – costing over $16000 annually. Another important task is diligently achieving and remaining eligible for grants from the State of Wisconsin to be used in the mitigation of EWM. This process of “being grant eligible” is time consuming and requires
significant long term planning, typically years in advance. To assist MKLPA in this process, we have hired lake consultant, Onterra. Onterra provides significant scientific support that is required by Wisconsin DNR. Onterra then creates a lake management plan (required by Wisconsin DNR to be updated every five (5) years). This lake management plan is the basis for filing for various treatment permits issued by Wisconsin DNR. The Wisconsin DNR then reviews the permits while seeking input from several organizations and governmental agencies. This input along with the requests of MKLPA are reviewed and a permit to mitigate EWM is either issued or denied for the upcoming year of treatment.
MKLPA has been very progressive and fortunate to work with Onterra, as our success for grants from the DNR and successful treatment plans have been consistently approved and funded. MKLPA, through grants, donation, and membership, has funded these programs at the rate of over $180,000 annually.
Once annual permits are in place, MKLPA contracts with a local company “Aquatic Plant Management” (APM) to implement many EWM techniques such as “hand harvesting”, “DASH” – suction boats and divers for the deeper, more dense areas and Mechanical harvesting. These techniques are followed up with several weeks of sampling the water, especially if a herbicide was used, to provide data to the Wisconsin DNR to assist in future permitting applications.
The Summer of 2024 has proven to be a difficult season of EWM and our attempts to mitigate it’s excessive blooming due to the mild winter, early thaw, and warm, wet weather that we have experienced so far this year. Although the Wisconsin DNR denied some of our permit requests for chemical treatment for 2024, MKLPA was fortunate to have two (2) areas approved for EWM chemical treatment in 2024.
These two (2) areas were Huber Bay and School House Bay, you may have seen a boat or PWC recently water testing where the treatments were in these areas. The chemical treatment costs for Huber Bay alone exceeded $27,000.
MKLPA appreciates the support and patience that lake users have displayed during this unusual weather of 2024.
This is a great time to demonstrate that support by joining MKLPA efforts by becoming a member and/ or make a donation to the ongoing efforts of MKLPA.
You can easily demonstrate your support by becoming a member and pay online
at https://minocquakawaga.org/join/
Thanks for helping us keep our beautiful chain of lakes beautiful for all types of recreation. Learn more at https://minocquakawaga.org
