Floating Peat Mat Islands

Recently a number of large peat mat “islands” have floated to the surface of Main Lake and Far West. This phenomenon has occurred sporadically in recent years and is typically most dramatic following a mild winter. During typical summers (thermocline) and winters (ice cover) aerobic bacterial decomposition of the organic matter in these peat mats ceases due to complete oxygen depletion. In this scenario gases are released faster than they accumulate and the mats stay on the bottom of the lake. During a mild winter with limited ice cover, fermentation continues and the peat mat continues to fill with gas faster than it can be released. As the summer progresses, the peat mat becomes buoyant from the trapped gas and the mat floats up to the surface.

In past years, we have been very limited in options to remove these floating mats. This season, we have been able to use the Truxor to break them up into manageable chunks and push them to shore.

Because the mats in Main Lake are a safety issue, their removal has taken priority over the removal of aquatic vegetation as had originally been planned. The mat islands in Far West are slated for removal after the Holiday weekend as they pose less of a safety risk being in a no wake lake. 

A close up of the spongy plant fibers and organic matter that make up the mats.  

The remnants of the peat mat “island” in Main Lake on the last morning of removal work.  

Dennis breaking up the mat with the Truxor