For Birch Island Lake Association May 26, 2018
What Are The Invasive Species Wisconsin DNR Aquatic Invasive Species
What Are The Invasive Species That concern us the most? Eurasian Milfoil Purple Loosestrife Fresh Water Jellyfish Algae Zebra Mussels
Eurasian Milfoil WI DNR Link
Eurasian Milfoil So far none has been found in our lake What can you do to help? Look for Eurasian Milfoil If you think you see any, contact a member of the Water Quality Committee If you can, take pictures and note the location The committee will work with the DNR to see what can be done WI DNR Link
Purple Loosestrife WI DNR Link
Purple Loosestrife Purple Loosestrife has been found in Birch Island Lake Barry & Arlene Borman have searched relentlessly and found it They have worked with the DNR to eradicate it from the lake We will find out if there is more in July when they bloom
Purple Loosestrife What can you do to help? Look for Purple Loosestrife If you think you see any, contact a member of the Water Quality Committee If you can, take pictures and note the location Arlene will teach the committee members how to eradicate she has a solution to apply from Brad Morris in the Burnett County Conservation Dept.
Fresh Water Jellyfish Very little is known about the Fresh Water Jellyfish Barry & Arlene have spotted them by the float plane dock Considered harmless by the DNR There appears to be nothing that needs to be done about them. WI DNR Link Article - Small floaters before your eyes
Algae Bloom Blue Green Algae WI DNR Link WI DNR Link Blue Green Algae Bloom Season
Algae Bloom Algae is present in most WI Lakes Two years ago Birch Island Lake experienced a bloom The main cause of blooms are light & nutrients (Phosphorus & nitrogen) The bloom was caused by high water eroding the par 3 golf course, releasing excessive nutrients
Algae Bloom What can ne done? The DNR says do not treat. The chemicals used release toxins which are present for some time Voyager Village, Steve Johnson, takes extreme caution in the maintenance of the golf course. The par 3 is a major concern for him Should treatment be an option, Voyager Village will let us use their permit and has a licensed contractor who can do the application Keep people and animals out of the water!
Algae Bloom What can you do to help? Watch for excessive Blue-Green Algae Buildup If you think you see any, contact a member of the Water Quality Committee Follow the WI Shoreline Zoning Guidelines Help educate anyone doing construction on how to prevent nutrients from getting into the lake (silt Fence) Keep people and animals out of the water!
And Then Came The Zebra Mussel
Zebra Mussels WI DNR Link
Zebra Mussels Alarms went off everywhere Zebra Mussels were spreading There is no known way to get rid of them They can consume nutrients which native fish need
Zebra Mussels At last Falls meeting, when I said I would research what we could do, I thought I volunteered for an impossible task! Not So! I found a lot of help and knowledge to work with.
Zebra Mussels Local Organizations involved in prevention Wisc DNR Wisc Lakes Association (Formally WAL, Cathie Erickson) Burnett County Lakes & Rivers (Tim Adair) Washburn County Lakes & Rivers Burnett County Conservationist (Dave Ferris) Washburn County Conservationist (Lisa Burns) Northwest Wi. Zebra Mussel Management Team
Zebra Mussels What is being done? Guidelines developed for decontamination station Washburn & Burnett County now have ordinances If a Decontamination station is present you must clean putting in & taking out.
Zebra Mussels Decontamination Station
Decontamination Station What does it take to put one in? 1. Proper Signage 2. Scott Township Approval 3. Liability Insurance, required by Scott Township 4. Lumber & Labor
Birch Island Lake DNR Landing
Birch Island Lake DNR Landing
Who has already put one in Fish Lake Middle McKenzie Big McKenzie Shell Lake
Who will be putting one in North Sand Lake Loon Lake Voyager Village (20 landings)
Possible Next Step I-LIDs System Features include: Continuous (7x24) video capture of launches Vehicle identification Analysis of visitor clean off compliance Web access to historical videos Configurable video duration Standalone deployment (no power or communications lines) Ruggedized housing to withstand abuse Seasonal installation at boat launches Remote management and diagnostics More I-LIDs Info
I-LIDs System Installed cost: ~$10,000 Monitoring Cost: TBD Local Lakes Trying it out Webb Lake (Oak Ridge landing) Fish Lake North Sand Lake
Conclusion A lot is being done to prevent invasive species in Birch Island Lake and many other lakes A lot can be done once an invasive species is spotted, except for Zebra Muscles Significant research is being done by state DNRs and universities to identify a way to eliminate Zebra Muscles The Water Quality Committee works hard testing and observing for problems Every one can help by watching for any potential problems