Main Lakes Vallisneria Treatment 2007

Vallisneria or wild celery as it is commonly called is topping out and releasing pollen in isolated areas across the Main chain of lakes. In response to the localized but intense nuisance this native plant causes, Aquatic Nuisance Control will be administering a treatment this week or early next week (weather dependent). The treatment areas are detailed in the included map. The treatment will be a high concentration of copper sulfate (10lbs/acre). In 2005 we experimented with various concentrations of copper and other treatment options and determined this concentration to be most effective. The treatment is not intended or permitted to KILL wild celery. It is intended to lyse the reproductive curly-Q shoots that come to the surface and create the all too familiar boat prop tangling menace. Treated shoots will fall away from the surface quickly and control can last two years from a single treatment (no treatment required in 2006). The DEQ requires a 24 swimming restriction following treatment, but as this is only a spot treatment, these restrictions will only apply in the vacintiy of treatment zones (please refer to map). I have written at length on Vallisneria in past blogs and invite you to revue them by clicking on the archies at the right.

While out conducting the wild celery treatment, the applicator will also be spot treating the Buchanan & W.Royal finger bay for any filamentous algae observed in that area.