|
Webster
Lake Association Posts Signs
by Paula Chauvin
The Patriot Newspaper
The Webster Lake Association
(WLA) recently completed the development of signs which will be
posted in various spots around the lake. The Webster Highway
Department staff is helping the WLA volunteers post them at the
Memorial Beach boat ramp. The signs were developed to educate the
public regarding boating safety and to help prevent the import and
proliferation of non-native organisms such as plants and mussels
into Webster Lake. The former harbormaster and town administrator
approved both signs for posting at Memorial Beach.
In July of 2003, the WLA hired
Geosyntec to conduct a macrophytic survey of Webster Lake. Plant
species samples were identified at 84 sampling locations. Survey
locations were mapped with a Global Position System (GPS) unit and
the survey information was recorded on a hand held PDA computer
linked to the GPS. Based on the above information, an aquatic
vegetation map of Webster Lake was developed.
Webster Lake has a very diverse
aquatic plant community with 32 species identified to date.
Unfortunately, 3 types of non-native, invasive plants were found -
Variable Milfoil, Eurasian Milfoil and Fanwort. Milfoil was the
2nd most dominant plant in Webster Lake and is most prevalent in
North Pond.
Eurasian Milfoil is an extremely
aggressive, non-native plant known for its rapid spread and
growth. It originated in Europe and Asia and has no natural
enemies in North America. Over time, it will compete for space and
nutrients, driving out native plants in our lake.
Milfoil forms dense weed beds
that begin to dominate the lake; it can eliminate boating and
seriously impair recreational use. It can also become so prevalent
that it reduces the availability of fish spawning grounds,
seriously altering a lake’s environment.
Once introduced into a lake, the
Milfoil weed reproduces almost exclusively by the breaking off of
its fragments which then drift away, sink, develop roots, and grow
into new plants. A fragment just a few inches long is capable of
starting a new 3-15 foot plant. Wind, raking, waves and boating
enhance the spreading process. The growth and spread of Milfoil is
a serious threat to our lake. Once it has infested, there is no
known way to completely eradicate it, but it can be controlled
through yearly, professionally managed methods.
When done properly, pulling
Milfoil plants by hand is highly effective for controlling small,
newly introduced populations. One must be careful to remove and
carefully dispose of both the plant and the root away from the
lake.
Prevention is by far the best
action against further introduction or spread. Precautions should
be taken by recreational boaters, jet skiers and fishermen to
check and remove any
weeds or mussels from their boat
propellers, motors, trailers, hitches and wet wells before
launching into a lake or pond. The weeds should be disposed of in
a trash receptacle away from the lake so that they are not
reintroduced.
The WLA has developed a Lake
Management Plan with a goal of controlling the invasive weed
population. For further information, please contact the
organization at
www.websterlakeassociation.com or
Box 156 , Webster, MA 01570. Tax deductible donations are accepted
and greatly appreciated for the Lake Management Program.
The next WLA general meeting is
August 10 at 7:00 PM at Point Breeze. The public is welcome to
attend. |
