As the guy in charge of lake management in Dunany I was asked the other day: is there anything that keeps you awake at night? I said yes. Definitely.
Its Eurasian Watermilfoil.
Why is that? Simply because once a lake has been contaminated it is almost impossible to get rid of it.
Globally, our lakes are in very good shape. Clarity is good, phosphorus is low, there are no blue-green algae and it has been like that for many years now. We have strong data to support this affirmation. And you made it happen.
Unfortunately, Eurasian Watermilfoil can spoil all that. I do not want to be alarmist but even if our risk is low – no motorboats and trailers to bring it – that risk is not inexistant. Sometimes, a small invasion can be controlled but it is an eternal beginning and the cost is huge. And just a few fragments of the plant can contaminate a lake.
So here again is what you can do to prevent our lakes and your assets from this devilish plant brought from Europe and the Middle East many decades ago.
So, this summer, make sure that the boats such as kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, their accessories as well as small electric motors, and fishing gear brought in by renters, family and friends are thoroughly washed before they navigate our lakes.
Here is how to proceed. Follow these four steps: inspect – drain – clean – dry
- Inspection is the most important. If you look carefully, you will locate even small fragments of the plant.
- Drain to make sure there is no leftover water at the bottom of your kayak, for example.
- Clean with fresh water and a bit of bleach.
- Finally, let dry in the sun.
All this should evidently be done at a good distance from the lake.
Now, if you are a bit curious and want to know more about the plant, how to identify it, have a look at this video.
Excellent communication, Jacques. We need to be reminded and to remind ourselves.
Thanks Jacques for this info.
Could a lake be contaminated by something like a wetsuit or even a swimsuit? I have been swimming in Lac Tremblant and at Plage Jean-Doré (Ile Notre Dame in Montreal), and I want to make sure I don’t bring it with me to our lakes on my wetsuit or triathlon clothing.
I will rinse everything well, but bleach is not an option, so this is why I am asking.
Thanks so much for the info Jacques. 🤗
Please send us a picture so we can give you a definite answer. We suspect it is Potamot and we also have some.Nothing to worry about.
Have a look at this page about Clear lake plants.
https://www.dunany.ca/environment/clear-lake-plants
Jacques always good information to have.
We have a weed that has popped up around our dock in the past two years and by Duncan Campbell’s bay – we describe it as looking like fried onion rings ,tall
Others may have them I don’t know
Any suggestion as to what this might be. Not happy with its appearance
so helpful for our water education Jacques. CBC had a story yesterday about how many lakes in the eastern townships are suffocating with this week. a big problem there. i believe 128 lakes in quebec are now contaminated.