Prevent a Eurasion Milfoil Infestation in Lake Groton
As far as we know, Lake Groton is without Eurasian Milfoil and other invasive aquatic plants and animals. Considering the cost ($50,000 – $70,000/year) and effort expended at infected lakes to control the problem, it makes sense to do whatever we can to prevent infection. The actions listed below enable camp owners and camp renters to do their part to prevent infestation.
Lake infestations occur by the transport of plant fragments from an infested lake to an uninfested lake on a boat, motor, trailer, fishing tackle, sports equipment or inside an engine or boat part. Many local lakes (i.e. Halls, Round, Fairlee, Morey, Berlin, N. Montpelier) are infested.
Know where your boat has been. If it has been at another body of water, know whether the lake is infested (signs are usually posted), and if you don’t know, assume that the body is infested with some form of invasive plant/animal. Also if a boat/motor has been serviced or stored, note that marinas usually test the boat/motor in infested waters or test tanks and extreme care must be taken.
When transporting a boat to Lake Groton from another Lake or after being serviced or stored:
- Wash your boat/motor/trailer gear at the Stillwater Wash Station and inspect your rig carefully for plant fragments before launching. Do not forget anchors, rudders, centerboards, rollers, axles, live wells, bilges, and transom wells as well as water ski ropes.
- If you are launching your boat at a location other than Stillwater; wash and inspect your boat at a location distant from the Lake before launching.
Even if your boat has only been in Lake Groton and has not been serviced/stored, wash/inspect your boat before launching anyway – set a good example.
If you find plant fragments, remove them carefully and either burn them in a wood stove or throw them in trash which is transported away from the Lake and related streams.
Fishermen and Fisherwomen:
- After fishing in waters other than Lake Groton, wash and inspect your gear carefully, looking for plant fragments.
- Do not use baitfish other than minnows in Lake Groton.
- Do not dump baitfish or water from elsewhere in Lake Groton on in streams which feed Lake Groton. Note that baitfish (Alewife) now dominates Lake St. Catherine and has recently been found in Lake Bomoseen.
Comments:
- Do not dump aquariums or fish bowls (e.g. goldfish) into the lake or related streams.
- Dispose of any seaweed (e.g. seafood packing) as if it were Milfoil.
- Milfoil pamphlets and identification posters are at the Stillwater entrance and Nature Center. Section 4 of the book, “All About Lake Groton” also provides pictures and information about Eurasian Milfoil and other aquatic nuisances.
- The Lake Groton Association is continuing its program of Eurasian Milfoil searches this year to attempt to detect any early infestations. If we can find the plants early, we can eliminate them.
If you suspect a plant in your part of Lake Groton is Eurasian Milfoil, please contact John LaRosa (584-4458), Dave Spencer (584-3717) or Rusty Reader (584-3838).
For more information and pictures on Eurasian Milfoil, look at the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Water Quality Division web site.
New Milfoil sites: During 2007 there were 4 additional confirmed Vermont bodies of water with Eurasian Milfoil: Hough Pond(Sudbury), North Hartland Reservoir (Hartford), Hartland Small Pond(Arlington), and Small Pond(Hinesburg). Total VT Milfoil lakes: 64 and other bodies of water: 26.