2024 year maps and notes listed below

 Eurasion Watermilfoil funding:

Attached is our 2022 treatment proposal from PLM.  This is map is based off our multi year EWM treatment plan.  We did received a grant from Sherburn county to help offset some of the treatment costs again this year.  Unfortunately there are also some advanced survey requirements from the DNR this year as well that will eat into our budget.  We are hoping for a good turn out from our fundraising efforts this spring to keep our treatment plan on track.  Thank you in advance for your help.  we couldn't do this without our many great residents, neighbors and friends.

 Eurasion Watermilfoil Update:

PLM completed our 2021 survey on Wednesday September 1st. This is our first survey after our first treatment.  Please notice the attached survey map with densities around the lake. Much of the EWM is spread out and relatively small but dense patches.

The image above is our 2021 efficacy map. There were about 4 stands of relatively dense EWM within the 2021 treatment area. PLM treated 3.1 acres in 2021 and mapping around the western edge of the original area produced about 6% of the treatment area not showing phenomenal results (0.2 acres). 

PLM strives for about 90% efficacy which we have achieved. The few stands identified were relatively dense and still green. Because of this, PLM will treat 0.2 acres at no cost next season. 

We look forward to beginning the process again next season!

The map above shows the area that will be treated Wednesday June 23rd, (favorable weather permitting).  PLM is the contractor hired to complete the treatment and we have chosen the safest option that has no swimming, pet or lawn watering restrictions.  There may be a few notice signs where landowners are close to the treatment area plus a few notice sign buoys in the lake once the treatment is complete.  Anyone can remove the buoys five days after treatment.

 Eurasion Watermilfoil:

PLM does offer a lot of treatments some are comparable options and some have certain drawbacks or concerns for our lake.  

There are two main formulations of 2,4-D, liquid and granular. PLM does not recommend the use of liquid 2,4-D for any EWM work. There are studies that have shown that repeated use of 2,4-D can cause the invasive EWM to become a hybrid form with the native milfoil in the lake. This is extremely concerning as there are copious amounts of native milfoil in Birch Lake. Liquid 2,4-D needs a significant amount of exposure time to the targeted plant(s) to be effective, think a day or two of time. It is possible to have the exposure time needed, however, the areas are generally narrow and the chemical concentration could rapidly dissipate with wind, boat action, rain etc… It can be difficult to have 24-48 hours of calm winds, little/no boat traffic etc…  

For the reasons explained above, there is granular 2,4-D. The granular formulation sits on/near the plants and the active chemical is released from the pellets over time. This helps with the amount of exposure time that is needed since the pellets are not as easily disturbed. Although this is the case, there is still the concern of plants becoming hybrid if 2,4-D is used repeatedly. 

Any good management program will rotate products yearly to reduce the possibility of hybrid plants, especially if treatment occurs in the same location. In many cases, only seasonal relief will be observed with either 2,4-D formulation. 

PLM still uses a fair amount of Triclopyr in a granular formulation. Triclopyr significantly reduces the chances of causing the invasive EWM to become hybrid with the native milfoil. Efficacy of treatment is much higher than 2,4-D, think 90% with Triclopyr. What’s more, Triclopyr will often give two years of control of the area(s) treated. If/when EWM starts to show back up in previously treated areas, it’s generally at much lower densities as there has been native plant growth causing competition. In my opinion, Triclopyr is still an excellent option but in many cases, it is about 5%-10% higher cost overall than ProcellaCOR. 

PLM is seeing some use of diquat for EWM. This is a contact herbicide, meaning it does not kill the roots like 2,4-D, Triclopyr or ProcellaCOR. It is a very cheap product and works very will in some cases. My concern is that it would not be allowed on Birch Lake due to the amount of native milfoil and other native plants in the lake as diquat is not a selective chemical. Your group could always entertain the possibility of its use with the MN DNR, however, be aware that it could be declined very quickly. 

Lastly, ProcellaCOR is a new formulation that is designed to target both EWM and hybrid milfoils. Without genetic testing it is hard to say if there are any hybrids in Birch Lake right now but this would reduce the need for testing, which can be costly. The amount of exposure time needed to the plants is very short, as short as 30 minutes to be effective. We have been seeing excellent results with its use and the manufacturer is extremely confident in its use. Like other products, rotation is important and we wouldn’t want to use if for more than two seasons in the same area. Although this is the case, we are hopeful that ProcellaCOR is offering two or three years of control in an area, especially larger treatment polygons. The added benefits of this chemical has a high cost, unfortunately. There are also many floating leaf plants within/near the EWM and ProcellaCOR may stress these plants, but they usually fully recover. This is not always the case with Triclopyr treatments. 

Zebra Mussels:

We have been notified that our neighboring lakes, Big Lake and Lake Mitchel currently have Zebra mussels as of fall 2020.  This is something we need to keep an eye out for, there is not a lot we can do to eliminate them once they enter our lake and start reproducing, preventative measures are the best course of action at this point.  Please check all boats and trailers for invasive species as you or people you know use the public access.