The Upper Midwest is famous for its lakes. When the glaciers retreated from the region thousands of years ago, they left behind these wonderful bodies of water, from tiny ponds to great lakes with shores reaching beyond the horizon.

Since moving back to the region last August, I’ve joined my father in attending two meetings of the Silver Lake Association, which is made up of property owners on the lake in northwestern Wisconsin where my family has a cabin. Much of the discussion at the meetings has focused on concerns regarding the condition of the lake. These concerns include declining water quality, including clarity; prevention of exotic species such as milfoil; and high water levels in recent years, which have caused erosion and forced the removal of some buildings.

A $220,000 scientific study of the lake–funded mainly by the state of Wisconsin, with some funding from Barron County and the lake association–has been authorized to understand what is causing some of these problems. The study will look at fish populations, sediment, exotic species, bacteria levels, oxygen levels, and more. The United States Geological Survey is also studying groundwater monitoring wells to better understand the water entering the lake.

Lake dwellers are especially worried about the potential invasion of the exotic plant Eurasian water milfoil. If milfoil gets into the lake, it creates a dense mat of foliage over shallow water, forever changing the ecology and the recreational use of the lake. Since milfoil is difficult, if not impossible, to remove once it establishes itself, the best thing to do is to prevent it from entering.

During its meetings, the association has spent much time discussing whether to prevent the entry of milfoil by hiring someone to work at the boat launch at the county park. Such a person would talk to people bringing boats onto the lake and request that they remove any plant material that may allow milfoil to spread. Milfoil usually travels by means of boats.

Another worry is that if milfoil gets in the lake, it will make it difficult to pursue options to reduce the water level, including creation of a water outlet for the lake. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources would not be keen on sending water out of the lake if it would increase the spread of milfoil to other bodies of water.

It’s encouraging for me to see scientists working with the general public, and I expect lake dwellers will learn much about the lake and their impact on it. I look forward to following the study and learning about its results.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 13th, 2005 at 3:52 pm and is filed under Environment and Ecology, Minnesota.