Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) can affect water quality, recreation, and overall system health. The District’s activities in this area work to limit the impact of aquatic invasive species have on our waterways.

Aquatic Invasive Species Program

The AIS Program includes watercraft inspections, early detection and rapid response, invasive species research in partnership with research institutions, aquatic plant surveys, common carp management, and direct management of invasive species through herbicide or mechanical removal where appropriate.

The latest AIS Prevention & Management Plan is provided below. To access older plans or to find AIS information about a specific lake, please peruse the document library at the bottom of the page.

2022 AIS Yearend Report

2019 Zebra Mussel Rapid Response Assessment on Bone Lake

Watercraft Inspections

The primary goal of the Watercraft inspection Program is to educate individuals recreating on District lakes about the importance of following AIS prevention protocols.

To implement the Watercraft Inspection Program, the CLFLWD enters into an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR). This agreement gives the District and its Watercraft Inspectors (WCI) the authority to conduct boat launch inspections.

Watercraft Inspections are conducted at the public access points of Forest Lake, Bone Lake, and Comfort Lake.

2022 WCI Yearend Report

WCI Application

AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES DETAILS

Curlyleaf pondweed

Common Names: curly cabbage, crisp pondweed
Growth area: Grows from shore to depths of up to 15 feet
Management: Curlyleaf pondweed is not native to the United States and often causes problems due to excessive growth. When control is necessary, herbicides and harvesting can be effective. In order to reduce mid-summer die-back and phosphorus release, the CLFLWD manages curly-leaf pondweed on lakes within the District that have nuisance levels of growth. Historically, Forest, Bone, and Shields Lakes require annual curly-leaf pondweed treatments.
How to identify Curlyleaf pondweed

The latest reports for Curlyleaf Pondweed (CLP) can be found in the document library below.

Eurasian watermilfoil

Common Names: Eurasian watermilfoil
Growth area: Lakes and streams in depths ranging from shallow to deep
Management: Eurasian watermilfoil can grow rapidly and form thick mats on the water’s surface, which can impede recreation and navigation. When management is necessary, chemical control is one of the most effective methods for reducing abundance and preventing further spread within the waterbody.
How to identify Eurasian watermilfoil

The latest reports for Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) can be found in the document library below.

Flowering rush

Common Names: Flowering Rush
Growth area: Preference for shallow and slow-moving water, where emergent growth can stand one to four feet tall. Flowering rush can also grow out to depths of 20 feet, where the plant is completely submergent.
Management: The CLFLWD has been actively managing Flowering rush on Forest Lake since 2014. The Forest Lake population is currently the only known population to have viable seeds in Minnesota. As such, the District has adopted a management approach that utilizes both herbicide treatments and seed head clippings. This approach has proven to be very effective, as the population has been reduced by 99% since 2014.
How to identify Flowering Rush

The latest reports for Flowering Rush can be found in the document library below.

Purple loosestrife

Common Names: Purple Loosestrife
Growth area: Perennial plant found rooted in a variety of wet soil habitats, ranging from a couple feet of water to dry shore near the waters edge. Very common in roadside ditches and similar areas with a lot of soil disturbance.
Management: Depending on the size and location of the infestation, management methods can range from hand pulling, herbicide treatments, to biological control with purple loosestrife eating beetles.
How to identify Purple Loosestrife

The latest reports for Purple Loosestrife can be found in the document library below.

Zebra mussels

Common Names: Zebra Mussels
Growth area: Can tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions. Zebra mussels are more prolific in waterbodies that are not overly nutrient enriched and have a higher calcium content.
Management: Unfortunately, there are currently not many options available for zebra mussel control once their population is established, especially in public waterbodies. However, researchers are investigating possible solutions for the future. In the meantime, the best management approach is still preventing their spread to non-infested waterbodies.
How to identify Zebra Mussels | Latest Zebra Mussel research

The latest reports for Zebra Mussels can be found in the document library below.

Species to watch for

·        Starry Stonewort
·        Hydrilla
·        Spiny waterflea

Learn More About AIS

Title	Summary	Link	hf:doc_tags

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

Aquatic Invasive Species Program

Watercraft Inspections

AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES DETAILS

Learn More About AIS

Watercraft Inspections

AIS Detectors

Flowering Rush

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