Posted: 7/18/07
Weeds prove vexing for area lake
 Ray Abrizenski, owner of Ray's Fishing Guide Service and Taxidermy on Rush Lake, stands on his dock with the lake in the background July 16. Abrizenski said the lake association, with its newly elected members, will go in the direction of forming a long-range plan to stop the spread of nuisance weeds such as Curlyleaf pondweed. |
By Steve Morris
Nuisances are everywhere these days, even in lakes where people seek solace from the annoyances of everyday life.
The Curlyleaf pondweed is one nuisance many lake users want gone. Lakes across the state, including East and West Rush Lake in Rush City are dealing with the problem of Curlyleaf pondweed.
The weed has a two-prong way of causing problems for lake users. For one, it can grow very dense and when it reaches the surface, it creates a block of vegetation that is difficult for fish to swim through and boats to motor through. According to Steve McComas, of Blue Water Science, the weed stem densities have been recorded at up to 2,000 stems per square yard, making it denser than Eurasian and nearly all other native plants.
Kelly Carlson, an employee at Fish Lake Bait in Harris said the weeds on East and West Rush Lake are some of the worst of any lakes in the area.
"You can't even go into the bays because they are so thick," he said. "It has been like that for a couple of years."
In its second round of attack, the Curlyleaf pondweed contributes to algae blooms in the lake. Unlike many other weeds, it dies off around July, the same time the algae population is growing rapidly. The nutrients from the dying weed contribute to the spread of algae.
As far as complaints, Carlson doesn't hear many from customers, except for people who live on East and West Rush Lake.
Carlson has worked at the bait shop for five years and said people are still capable of fishing the lake but must ride their boats slow in thick areas to avoid getting the motor clogged.
Ray Abrizenski owner of Ray's Fishing Guide Service & Taxidermy on Rush Lake, is on the lake association board and said they are looking at several different options at controlling the nuisance weed.
For Abrizenski, education is a key element. People don't understand, he said, that the weather has a significant impact on the amount of weeds in the lake at any certain time.
He said the association has a three-stop game plan of fighting Curlyleaf pondweed, and other lake problems.
A long-term, comprehensive plan followed with public education and attaining funding from state and local business leaders is the direction of the board, he said.
Abrizenski said people around the lake are ready for a change.
KILLING THE WEED
In the past, the lake association has used a herbicide to kill Curlyleaf pondweed. It works for one season, but the next season, the lake is back at the same position.
Even more problematic with using herbicides is that it kills fish and adds an unnatural chemical into the water. When the herbicide is used, three quarters of the weed dies off and drops to the bottom of the lake. When this happens, it sits on the bottom of the lake and sucks the oxygen out of the water which kills fish.
For a man who depends on fish for a livelihood, it's an image he doesn't want to see.
"I hate to see that," he said.
In Abrizenski's opinion, harvesting the weeds, or cutting them off five feet from the surface, is the way to go. The harvesting process keeps the base of the weed intact, which acts as a filtration system for the lake.
"There is no overnight solution to this problem. It takes time," he said.
On that note, he said it could take 10 to 15 years to completely correct the problem.
By some estimates, harvesting can cost $300 to $600 per acre for contracted services and $80,000 to buy and operate one.
Abrizenski said they can't do it alone and it is one nuisance he wants gone.
"We need more people involved in the lake association and we need more people to fund these programs," he said.
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