It’s called Eurasian Water Milfoil by some and Myriophyllum
spicatum by others. If you live around Webster Lake you have
another name for it and if you swimmer you describe it as “like
swimming in a bowl of hairy cold spaghetti.”
It looks delicately innocent and how it came to be part of the
vegetation in Webster Lake is no mystery; how it came to the
United States from Europe is. However, the biggest question of all
is how do we get rid of it?
The June 10, 2003 meeting of the Webster Lake Association (WLA)
focused on that and other questions related to aquatic vegetation,
water quality and storm water issues facing Webster Lake.
Eurasian Water Milfoil is an exotic aquatic plant native to
Europe, Asia and Northern Africa and brought to North America in
the 1940s. It likes to live in lakes, ponds, shallow water
reservoirs and slow moving rivers and streams and reproduces
quickly in many different ways.
If a stem breaks off, it can start a new plant. It also
produces flowers and seeds that appear above the water, while the
rest of the plant is under water. And it spreads by roots or
runners in the ground. It’s also very tolerant of cold water, so
it can grow fast in the cold spring waters of Webster Lake. So
fast, that it can choke out native plants and reduce the amount of
light that reaches into the lake. And when the native plants can't
grow, other aquatic species that rely on the native plants for
food and shelter have trouble surviving.
“Our lake is not as bad as others throughout the state and we
are fortunate to be addressing the needs now rather than later
when the costs would be much greater,” said Paul LaFramboise, WLA
Environmental Committee Chairman.
“GeoSyntec Consultants of Boxborough, Massachusetts will
conduct a comprehensive aquatic vegetation survey, provide an
updated water quality assessment for the lake and its tributaries,
as well as develop an internet mapping tool for the lake and its
watershed this summer for the WLA,” announced LaFramboise.
Robert Hartzel, Senior Water Resources Scientist with GeoSyntec
Consultants provided and overview of the proposed Aquatic
Vegetation Survey. In late July, GeoSyntec will conduct a
comprehensive survey of the aquatic vegetation in Webster Lake.
“Our goal”, said Hartzel, “is to develop an accurate survey to be
part of a critical component of long-term lake management
planning.”
Information from the vegetation survey will (1) serve as a
baseline from which to track future changes in the Lake’s plant
community, and (2) provide the basis for identifying and
prioritizing short- and long-term aquatic plant management
actions.
“Aquatic vegetation survey information is particularly
important for Webster Lake, given the known presence of invasive
non-native species such as Fanwort and Eurasian Milfoil and the
severe impacts that these species can have on lake ecosystem
health, recreational uses, and property values,” said Hartzel.
GeoSyntec will also assess the feasibility and estimated costs
of managing plant growth by a variety of methods.
“A water quality assessment sampling for five in-lake
locations, including the deepest level of each of the Lake’s three
major basins will provide updated data on overall lake and
tributary conditions,” continued Hartzel. “The Lake’s two primary
surface water tributaries (Sucker Brook and Brown Brook) will be
sampled at their confluence with Webster Lake as well as any
additional tributaries that are flowing at the time of the field
survey,” explained Hartzel. .
Based on the sampling program results, GeoSyntec will assess
Webster Lake’s trophic status (biological productivity), potential
impairments, and identify future follow-up monitoring priorities.
Water quality monitoring will include in the following parameters:
pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen/temperature profile, specific
conductance, total phosphorus, ammonia nitrogen, chlorophyll-a,
turbidity and water clarity.
GeoSyntec will also develop an interactive lake mapping tool
for Webster Lake and its watershed that can be posted on the
Webster Lake Association website and/or on a CD-ROM.
“Aquatic vegetation data, water quality data, and information
related to the Lake Webster’s nutrient and pollutant sources will
be easily accessible, allowing any user to view a variety of lake
information without any software or training required,” said
Hartzel.
The interactive mapping tool will provide a public education
tool to inform local residents and visitors about the Webster Lake
watershed, threats to the Lake’s water quality, and how to help
minimize water quality impacts.
GeoSyntec Consultant Associate Steven Roy followed with a
presentation on potential future environmental projects focusing
on storm water management and sedimentation control. “Low impact
development needs to be emphasized to create an innovative
ecosystem based approaches to land development and storm water
management,” said Roy.
“We need to slow the water down and let it infiltrate to avoid
cleanser, fertilizers, pesticides, and even pet wastes from being
washed into the lake,” said Roy. Currently the forested east side
of the lake has a 3% surface runoff while the developed west side
has a 30% runoff.
“As a lake association, we need to work with the Town
administration and the Conservation Committee to help put controls
in place. Otherwise we’ll continue to have problems,” said
LaFramboise. “We’re writing to the Office of Environmental Affairs
to pursue the grant bestowed on Webster Lake for sedimentation
control and we need to run for offices in the town to help make a
difference.”
”Short term solutions to weed control include mechanical
harvesting, hydroraking, herbicides (which is cost prohibitive)
and weevils,” said Hartzel. “Selecting which technique is best
depends on the plant. For instance water lilies harvest well but
it’s bad for milfoil as it spreads out.”
WLA needs to raise the funds to help pay for the survey and are
asking that all contributions be sent to: WLA, PO Box 156,
Webster, MA 01570.
Other WLA information includes a boat parade for Saturday, July
5th, 11am to 1pm. “Get Creative and have some fun decorating your
boats,” said Jeanne Rossetti Fun-raising chair. “We’ll be meeting
at the docks in front of Point Breeze and touring the lake. This
is a great family event that will be sure to give us plenty of
Kodak moments.” Entry fee is $5.00 per boat. Trophies will be
awarded to the top three boats.
WLA will be celebrating its first year with a Birthday Party on
Saturday, August 2nd at Indian Ranch. “There will be entertainment
for all ages, a Chicken Bar-B-Que and plenty of surprises,” said
Rossetti. Tickets will be available soon.
The Webster Lake photography contest deadline is July 7th. “The
photos will be on display for the month of July at Point Breeze,”
said Rebecca Leonard. Thirteen winning photos will be in the
Webster Lake Association 2004 Calendar. Photos can be submitted by
anyone and must be a Webster Lake theme. A list of rules and
information is available on the WLA website
http://websterlakeassociation.com or by calling Jeanne
Rossetti 508-943-1553 or Rebecca Leonard at 508-943-7061.
