Current Topics of Importance
CHEMICAL TREATMENT OF PLANTS
SHORELINE PICK UP FOR 2013
Main Lake - June 17 - July 1, 15, 29 and August 12, 2013
Inlet/Outlet - June 18 - July 2, 16, 30 and August 13, 2013
starting at 6:00 am. (all dates are weather permitting)
The request for Pier Pick-Up must be called into the office before 9:00 pm the Sunday before the pick-up date. 262-728-4100 (the recorded message will give you instructions) Your pier must be numbered or identified in such a manner that we can locate it.
Pier Pick-Up is for aquatic plants only and must be placed at the end of the pier and clearly visible to the Harvesting Crew. We will not pick up plants mixed with rocks, lawn or garden debris, branches, garbage, etc.
Aquariums & Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)
As fall winds down and winters cold temperatures freeze the lake, those of us that love the water look for other ways to experience the pleasure of it. Many people find that the underwater world of aquariums do provide the relaxation and beauty they crave.
Pet stores and internet sources make setting up and populating an aquarium easy and fun, but aquarium enthusiasts need to be aware that Chapter NR 40, Wisconsin’s Invasive Species Identification, Classification and Prevention law has resulted in the regulation of some popular, but highly invasive, aquarium plants. Several of these prohibited and restricted plants are sold through the internet and out of state sources. They are often promoted as species that will beautify and oxygenate your tank, and while they may indeed be beautiful, they could cause huge problems for Wisconsin waterways. Below is a list of popular aquarium plants that are prohibited or restricted. Prohibited species may not be transported, possessed, transferred or introduced in Wisconsin. Restricted species may not be transported, transferred, or introduced in Wisconsin.
There are many aquarium plants that are not listed as AIS in Wisconsin so there will be no shortage of attractive plants for aquatic gardeners to enjoy. Regardless of whether or not an aquarium species is regulated in Wisconsin, never dump any plants, fish or animals into any lake, pond or stream. Besides the fact that it is illegal and the fines are quite large, they could do immense harm to our waterways.
To further protect Wisconsin from AIS, verify the scientific names of any aquatic plants purchased and inspect all shipments/purchases to ensure that the plant ordered is indeed the plant received and that there are no ‘hitchhikers’ included. Dispose of unwanted aquarium species responsibly. Check with your retailer for possible returns or bag and throw in the trash.
Aquatic Invasive Plants sold for aquariums
|
Scientific name & Synonyms |
Common Name(s) | Notes |
| Cabomba caroliniana | Fanwort, Carolina fanwort | Prohibited; submersed perennial; native to southeastern United States; often confused with water milfoils and water buttercup |
| Crassula helmsii | Australian stonecrop, New Zealand pygmyweed | Prohibited; sold as an oxygenator for ponds and aquariums |
| Egeria densa | Brazilian waterweed; Brazilian elodea | Prohibited; sold as an oxygenator for ponds and aquarium; native to South America; may be confused with Hydrilla verticillata and Elodea nuttallii |
| Hydrilla verticillata | Hydrilla; water thyme; Florida elodea | Prohibited; submersed perennial; native to Asia; introduced to Florida in 1958 as an aquarium plant; may be confused with Elodea canadensis, Egeria densa |
| Hydrocharis morsus-ranae | European Frog-bit | Prohibited; Free-floating perennial; can be confused with water lily and Limnobium spongia |
| Lagarosiphon major | Oxygen weed; African elodea, African waterweed | Prohibited; submersed perennial; may be confused with Elodea Canadensis and Elodea nuttallii |
| Myriophyllum aquaticum | Parrot feather | Prohibited; submersed perennial; may be confused with other milfoils |
| Myriophyllum spicatum | Eurasian water milfoil | Restricted; submersed perennial; may be confused with other milfoils |
| Najas minor | Brittle, lesser, bushy, slender, spiny and minor naiad; waternymph | Prohibited; submersed annual, reproduces by seed and fragmentation; easily confused with native Najas spp. |
| Nymphoides peltata | Yellow floating heart | Prohibited; bottom rooted perennial with floating leaves; |
| Potamogeton | Curly-leaf pondweed | Restricted; submersed perennial; introduced as an aquarium plant |
| Trapa natans | Water chestnut | Prohibited; annual floating leaf emergent |
For more information see the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website at http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/invasives/, or contact Audrey Greene, Walworth County Land Use & Resource Management at 262-741-7902 or agreen@co.walworth.wi.us.
LAKE SPRAYING PLANS 2013
We have again been granted a permit from the Department of Natural Resources for chemical treatments on Delavan Lake. A copy of the permit is available by contacting the District office and on the Aquatic Plant Harvesting page of this website.
Chemical spraying for nuisance aquatic plants is planned as follows:
Inlet Area - The first treatment will be in early May if conditions warrant. Additional treatments as needed. The treatment area will be around the piers and up to 150 feet from shore..
Outlet Area -The first treatment will be in early May if conditions warrant. Additional treatments as needed. The treatment area will be around the piers and up to 150 feet from shore.
Southwest Bay - This area goes from South Shore Manor west to the Island. Treatment is planned for early June if conditions warrant. The treatment area will be around the piers and up to 150 feet from shore.
Northwest Bay - This area goes from Chicago Club west to the Island. Treatment is planned for early June if conditions warrant. The treatment area will be around the piers and up to 150 feet from shore.
North Shore - This area extends from the Yacht Club to Assembly Park. Treatment is planned for early June if conditions warrant. The treatment area will be around the piers and up to 150 feet from shore.
We again plan to treat the entire developed shoreline for algae control. The initial treatment is planned for a week to 10 days before the July 4th holiday. Additional treatments may occur if conditions warrant.
All planned chemical treatments are subject to lake and weather conditions as well as Department of Natural Resources approval.
MECHANICAL HARVESTING
Our plans for mechanical harvesting remain much the same as past years. We intend to launch our harvesting equipment the week of May 21st and begin the initial harvesting of plants in the access channels at that time. After June 15th we will harvest all areas of the lake as conditions warrant. The harvesters will only operate in the chemically treated area to supplement the chemical treatments.
For those of you who would like more information on zebra mussels here are some web sites to check:
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.asp?speciesID=5
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/fhp/papers/p1/misszmdo.htm
http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/aquatics/zebramussel.shtml
Blue-Green Algae In Wisconsin Waters
dnr.wi.gov/lakes/bluegreenalgae
Piers
New regulations regarding the placement of Piers in Wisconsin waters has gone into effect and an overview of these regulations can be found at:
http://dnr.wi.gov/waterways/recreation/piers.html