STEENBURG LAKE

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Gilmour, Ontario, Canada

How to remove Eurasian Water-Milfoil by hand

Best Practice for Removal:

First mark and/or map milfoil locations using a boat or by snorkeling so that the location can be found again and regularly monitored.
The plant can be removed by snorkeling in shallow water or scuba diving and works best when paired with a partner on a raft who can observe for plant fragments, collect pulled plants and observe for hazards.
The divers should focus on removing the entire plant, including all roots and rhizome fragments that may break off during removal. Fragments that are left behind can root in the sediment and grow new plants.
Remove plants carefully; larger plants or firmer sediment require the person to work their fingers into the sediment to help loosen the plant. Slowly remove the plant from the sediment and gently shake it to reduce sediment from clouding the water.
The divers should keep the plant in front of them to watch for fragments that may break off during removal.
Larger plants can be wrapped around the hand into a ball to prevent breakage and then placed into a fine mesh net held by a partner on the raft.
Diving on cloudy days or when the sun goes down can help improve visibility underwater.
Continue to monitor the area for several years for new plants growing from root or plant fragments and repeat hand removal, as needed.

Source: Ontario Invasive Plant Council

For more information on manual control see:

https://www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca/

https://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/

https://steenburglake.ca/Invasive-Species

Best Practice for Disposal of Invasive Species

Proper disposal of garden waste is essential to prevent invasive plants from spreading. You can help by following these tips:⁠

· Never discard waste in nearby natural areas.⁠
· Avoid composting invasive plant material and seeds.⁠
· Dispose of invasive seeds by placing them in a sealed plastic bag, then in a second plastic bag. Dispose with household garbage.⁠
· Place invasive plant materials in construction grade plastic garbage bags and set out on a hard surface in the sun for 1 - 2 weeks. Dispose with household waste.⁠

SOURCE: Invasive Species Centre

Provincial Guidelines:

You do not need a work permit under the Public Lands Act, if you can follow all of these rules. You:

are the waterfront property owner or conducting work on behalf of the property owner
·minimize the removal of native aquatic vegetation (e.g., wild rice)
dispose of the plants/material you remove on dry land to prevent it from re-entering the water
use, operate or store any wheeled or tracked machinery/equipment on dry land, or on a barge or vessel
only use mechanical devices (e.g., rake, cutter bar) or your hands to remove plants, and do not dredge the bed of the waterbody
do not carry out work during fish spawning season or during the time of other critical fish life stages, as set out in the In-water Work Timing Window Guidelines (i.e.: May 1 – July 15)

Source: Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters

For further information:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/remove-invasive-aquatic-plants

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inquiries@steenburglake.ca