Current Topics of Importance
Blue-Green Algae In Wisconsin Waters
dnr.wi.gov/lakes/bluegreenalgae
2010 AQUATIC PLANT MANAGEMENT
Delavan Lake Sanitary District (DLSD) follows the recommended Aquatic Plant Management Plan prepared by Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. This plan recommends mechanical harvesting be used as the primary means to control aquatic plants. Harvesting is limited to cutting access lanes until June 15, and all harvesting is limited to harvesting of non-native aquatic plants, such as Eurasian Water Milfoil. Chemical treatment applications are limited to shallow water areas near shore; are limited to controlling nuisance growth or exotic species; and are limited for nuisance algae. A survey of aquatic plants is conducted each summer to help identify the plant species, location, and density of plants found in Delavan Lake (see below). This past summer, 15 different species of aquatic plants were identified and plants were found in lake depths up to 17 feet.
LAKE SPRAYING PLANS
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.
Chemical spraying for nuisance aquatic plants is planned as follows:
Inlet Area - Four possible treatments are tentatively scheduled for June 3rd, June 15th, July 13th and August 18th. The treatment area will be from the east side of the channel to the west shore.
Outlet Area -The first treatment occurred on May 5th. One additional treatment is possible. 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 scheduled for early June. 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 scheduled for early June. 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 scheduled for early June. 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 scheduled for the week of June 29th. Additional treatments may occur in mid-July and mid-August 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 on May 22nd 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.
SHORELINE PICK UP FOR 2010
DLSD will again pick up aquatic plants left at the end of piers. Property owners are required to call 728-4100 before the scheduled pick up dates and request a pick up. Requests may be left in the DLSD general voicemail box. Please leave your name, address and pier number. Pick ups of only aquatic plant material will take place on the Mondays listed below, beginning June 7th. Do not include trash, garbage or any other debris in the pile left at the end of your pier. Our weed harvesting crews will not pick up piles which contain any materials other than aquatic plants.
Pick up dates:
June 7th, June 21th, June 28th, July 12th, July 26th, August 9th and August 23th
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
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