Eurasian Water-Milfoil Update

There are many different ways to potentially eliminate the Eurasian Water-Milfoil from Squash Lake and selecting the best treatment method that is suitable for the lake is complex, to say the least. Kevin Gauthier, who is the DNR's Lake Management Coordinator, is guiding the Squash Lake Board of Directors and Community every step of the way. Kevin's knowledge and attention to detail has been reassuring to us that we are doing the best for our lake.

Before we can select the most suitable treatment option, a complex and comprehensive study of the lake's aquatic plant community and ecosystem must be completed. This will be completed by Kevin, his staff, and professional consultants. In the mean time, DO Not Pull Any Weeds from the lake!!! Every plant needs to stay in place until the comprehensive plant survey is done!!

Grant Money:

Squash Lake qualifies for the State of Wisconsin's AIS Early Detection and Rapid Response Grant. This grant has a cap up to $20,000.00. The state pays for 75% of the cost of the project and the remaining 25% will be provided by the Squash Lake Association in the form of cash, time, services or "in-kind" items. Grants operate on a reimbursement basis and we may request an advance of up to 25%.

What is the Grant Money Used For:

The grant money is used to pay for field work performed by a professional lake management consultant that we, SLA, hire. These firms specialize in gathering data about our lake, performing a comprehensive Aquatic Plant Mapping, Aquatic Plant Point-intercept Survey, grant writing, provide recommendations to the DNR and us about the best method of getting rid of EWM, and helping us to develop a management plan.

Kevin recommends that we obtain the lakes data now:

#1 - The aquatic plant mapping should be done now- due to aquatic plant growth, it is best done by the end of August. Kevin provided us with a resource of professional lake management consultants.

#2 - Obtaining an Aquatic Plant Point-intercept Grid Survey.   Kevin informed me that he and his staff will be able to do the survey the week of August 31st.

#3 – We also need to provide Kevin with the Squash Lake Association By- Laws as needed for the grant.

Once the above information is gathered, we will discuss the best option for treating the milfoil and developing a management plan.

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DO Not Pull Any Weeds from the lake!!!

Every plant needs to stay in place until a comprehensive plant survey is done!!