What is being done to control Eurasian watermilfoil in Lake Minnetonka?

The Lake Minnetonka Conservation District, with assistance from Hennepin Parks, currently manages nuisance growth of Eurasian Watermilfoil in Lake Minnetonka in cooperation with Department of Natural Resources and lake homeowner associations. They primarily use mechanical harvesting to manage nuisance Eurasian Watermilfoil, but also use chemical treatments in small areas around boat launches and fishing piers where harvesters can't operate.

Who decides where and when to harvest Eurasian watermilfoil in Lake Minnetonka? The Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (from their 1999 Harvesting Report) states that harvesting priorities were based upon impediment to public boat navigation on the open water, with higher priority given to areas of the lake that were matted. Although there were some areas of the lake with significant milfoil growth that was not aesthetically pleasing, they generally did not harvest them unless they were impeding public boat navigation. Particular attention was paid to cleaning shoreline of fragments generated by the harvest before leaving a bay. Where possible, shoreline clean-up was done the next day after fragments had a chance to drift to the shore. Milfoil fragments were collected from residential shorelines when piles were evident to the crew. This practice has reduced fragment complaints by the public.

Need more information about Eurasian watermilfoil harvesting in Lake Minnetonka?
Contact the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District
Email: lmcd@winternet.com
Phone: 1 877 lake use (525-3873) or local 745-9348
Web site: www.winternet.com/~lmcd