Aquatic Plant Management

Aquatic Plant Management

February 2024 Update

Our Aquatic Plant Management Plan is complete and final approval has been given by WDNR.

May 2023 Update

Our APM Plan, Goals, and Strategies Framework has been jointly formed by Burnett County and the Des Moines Lake APM committee. The next steps involve a shoreline survey and point intercept survey of all aquatic plants.

Project Information

In a 2021 survey, Des Moines Lake Association members identified water quality as a high priority. The water quality we enjoy on our lake is pleasing aesthetically and contributes to higher property values. Association Board members recognize the priority and are prepared to invest association resources to protect against aquatic invasive species (AIS) that may impact water quality. Members who attended the annual meeting on May 28th were informed of an initiative that the Board has explored since January 2022 – an Aquatic Plant Management (APM) plan. The purpose of this email is to provide additional information about the APM, how we expect the APM to benefit Des Moines Lake property owners, and budget considerations regarding total APM costs and payment.  

AIS are non-native species of plants, animals or pathogens that may cause harm to the lake environment. Examples include Purple Loosestrife, Eurasian watermilfoil, and zebra mussels. Area lakes have been impacted by several different types of AIS.  As a public access lake, Des Moines Lake may be at risk of exposure due to introduction of AIS by various watercraft. The Clean Boats, Clean Waters watercraft inspection program with a decontamination station at the boat launch is an important effort in preventing AIS. Additional steps, such as an APM, can supplement this effort. An APM is a coordinated strategy for managing aquatic plants by protecting native plant populations and preventing the establishment of invasive species. 

To better understand our current lake environment and to set goals for improving and/or maintaining our water quality, Association Board members have approved a motion to enter a contractual agreement with Burnett County Land Services Department (BCLSD) to conduct an APM survey and plan. The plan includes data about the plant community, watershed, and water quality, as well as other non-plant species.  Our APM plan is also intended to survey non-plant invasive species.

Emily Moore, Water Resource Specialist/AIS Coordinator for BCLSD provided these APM details:

Things offered in the written plan:

  • The goals, objectives and actions the Lake Association wants to target.
  • Lake Information
    • Historical data (fish stockings, water quality changes, etc.)
    • Watershed data (percentages of land use, run off information, etc.)
  • Citizen Lake Monitoring Results (water clarity, chemistry, temperature) 

Things that will be produced:

  • Aquatic plant inventory results
  • Invasive species inventory results – This can also include where purple loosestrife is, this does not need to be tailored to ONLY AIS within the waterbody.
  • Aquatic plant management techniques
  • Rapid Response plans for AIS not within the lake
  • Maps of where aquatic plants are at their highest/lowest
  • If chosen, other things could include:
    • Education and outreach
      • Events to remove Chinese and Banded Mystery snails with volunteers.
    • Zebra Mussel response plans (Not usually in an APM but something that we can add)
      • Plate sampler install, counts
    • Shoreline survey

APM Committee: The BCLSD performs an aquatic macrophyte survey and produces a comprehensive APM plan. Our association will develop an APM Committee to collaborate with the BCLSD on development of the plan. The APM Committee will include several Board members as well as volunteers from our general membership. The committee would begin meeting later this summer and conclude its work by late fall 2023/early winter 2024. Please consider joining in this effort! Contact Chris Franken at chrisfranken5@gmail.com for more information about becoming an APM Committee volunteer.

Cost of the APM: Through grant funding, BCLSD pays for half the costs involved in the APM. DMLA paid the initial deposit on July 15th, 2022, with the remainder due in 2024 at the completion of the plan and WI DNR approval. Existing membership dues revenue will be utilized for the initial 50% payment to be submitted by mid-July. Carry-over revenue from 2022 and/or membership dues from 2023 will be allocated for the final payment due in early 2024.

Please consider sharing information about the APM with your lake neighbors who may not yet have become members of the lake association. The purpose of the Association is to maintain, protect and enhance the quality of the lake and its surroundings for the collective interests of the members. By growing our membership, we gain further resources that can be used to address AIS or other issues that may impact our lake community.

The Des Moines Lake Board of Directors is interested in hearing from you, the members, as we engage in this effort on behalf of the association. If you have any questions, need clarification, or wish to provide feedback, please contact Amy Juers, President at ajuers@comcast.net by 8:00 am CST on Saturday, July 9, 2022. 

Thank you for your support and engagement and enjoy your time on the lake!

NOTE: For more information about Burnett County AIS education, prevention and control efforts in 2021 go to: https://burnettcounty.com/DocumentCenter/View/10333/2021-Annual-Aquatic-Invasive-Species-Report

To view a sample of a comprehensive APM plan developed for nearby Birch Island Lake go to: https://www.burnettcounty.com/DocumentCenter/View/8274/Birch-Island-Lake-APM?bidId=

 

Project Timeline

  • Summer 2022
    • Contract signed by and sent in by July 15th. Half the cost of the contract is due.  
  • Fall/Winter 2022
    • Meeting with the APM committee to discuss APM goals and scope.
  • May/June 2023
    • Aquatic invasive species and shoreline survey of lake by BCLSD.
  • July 2023
    • Point intercept survey for all aquatic plants by BCLSD.
  • Winter 2023/2024
    • BCLSD writes APM plan, has meeting(s) with lake association.
  • February/March 2024
    • Submit APM plan to WI DNR for approval.
  • February – December 2024
    • WI DNR approves APM, remainder of cost due within 30 days of approval.