MWCD sprays portion of Tappan Lake to slow invasive plants
July 23, 2010
The aggressive growth of large plants in the water at the east end of Tappan Lake has led the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) to begin control measures this week.
A licensed professional applicator contracted by the MWCD is spraying and killing many of the plants, which are the American Lotus plant that have been limiting boat traffic in extreme eastern end of the lake and two nearby bays, according to Mark Swiger, MWCD’s conservation administrator. The MWCD has received the approval of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife and obtained a permit from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to conduct the spraying.
The intent of the spraying that began July 22 is to stop the growth and reduce the outside diameter of the various masses of the plants in the lake, Swiger said. The lanes created by the spraying also will benefit the fish and anglers, he added.
The American Lotus has been found in Tappan Lake for many years. Aerial photographs taken about 10 years ago show that the plant was becoming established in the main body of the lake. Normal change in seasons and other weather conditions do not serve as deterrents, and there are no natural predators to the plants, Swiger said.
Dense populations of the American Lotus suppress the growth of the native plants in the reservoir by shading out the lower-growing plants. A diverse group of aquatic plants is more beneficial to a healthy lake than a single dominant species.
It normally takes a couple of weeks for the spraying to have a noticeable effect, Swiger said.
The MWCD, a political subdivision of the state, was organized in 1933 to develop and implement a plan to reduce flooding and conserve water for beneficial public uses in the Muskingum River Basin, the largest wholly contained watershed in Ohio. Since their construction, the reservoirs (including Atwood Lake) and dams in the MWCD region have been credited for saving more than 7 billion worth of potential property damage from flooding, according to the federal government.
For more information about the MWCD, visit www.mwcd.org.
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Free kayak classes at Atwood Lake Park beach at Atwood Lake Park beach
Sat, September 11: 8:00am MWCD Board of Directors meeting at New Philadelphia City Council Chambers
Fri, September 17: 9:00am Free "Quick Start Your Kayak" class at Tappan Lake Park at Tappan Lake Park
Sat, September 25: 9:00am 28th Annual Atwood Area Fall Festival at Atwood Lake Park
Fri, October 1: 12:00am Free "Quck Start Your Kayak" class at Seneca Lake Park at Seneca Lake Park (beach)
Sat, October 9: 12:00pm
