Beaver Lake users urged to clean boats

The Flathead Aquatic Invasive Species

Workgroup is asking recreationists for their help. With the recent

discovery of Eurasian watermilfoil — an aquatic invasive weed — at

Beaver Lake near Whitefish, vigilance is of the utmost

importance.

After a lengthy lake survey and

positive identification by aquatic invasive species specialists, it

was concluded that the lake boat ramp will be closed until the

plants and floating fragments have been removed and there is no

longer a risk of spreading the weed.

The plants-covering about a 12-by-12

foot area in the lake-were found by Department of Natural Resources

and Conservation personnel during a field trip last week. The

identification of the plants was confirmed by Montana FWP and the

Montana Department of Agriculture.

The Flathead County Weed District is

responding rapidly to this new invader and plans to remove the

invasive plants this month and eradicate the remaining plants next

spring.

“We were very lucky to find this

infestation early when management is feasible and cost effective,”

said Jed Fisher, Flathead County Weed Coordinator. “Once

established, this plant is very expensive to control. Idaho has

spent $9 million dollars over the last several years controlling

Eurasian watermilfoil in its waters.”

The Flathead Aquatic Invasive Species

Workgroup will be meeting this week to discuss eradication

strategies to employ this fall and next spring.

Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum

spicatum) was introduced to North America from Europe and Asia, and

is found over much of the United States.

“The introduction of Eurasian

watermilfoil can drastically alter the ecology and use of a water

body,” said Erik Hanson, AIS consultant.

It forms dense mats of vegetation on

the surface of the water that interferes with recreational

activities such as fishing, swimming, and boating. Lakes with

Eurasian watermilfoil can experience steep declines in fisheries,

dissolved oxygen depletion, decreases in property values and the

loss of recreational use. Eurasian watermilfoil reproduces

successfully and very rapidly, making it a threat to any water body

it invades. In the fall and late summer, the plant becomes brittle

and breaks into fragments, which float across lakes, sinking and

starting new plants. Plant pieces are easily transported between

water bodies by boats and fishing gear.

Anyone who has fished or boated in

Beaver Lake must clean their boats, equipment and waders prior to

entering another water body. Please contact Fish Wildlife and Parks

(FWP) in Kalispell at 444-2449 if non-decontaminated equipment was

taken from Beaver Lake to any other lake so those locations can be

monitored. FWP has a decontamination station and a brochure listing

approved carwashes.