Milfoil in Winter Harbor

[Frdxplorer]

This past weekend there was more milfoil floating around our cabin in Winter Harbor than ever before. I have a feeling that is is chopped up by rafters close to the basin and floats over.

I removed as much as I could but know for certain that I didn't get every little piece. Is that how millfoil is spread or does it require a root to be present as well. I hope and pray that we don't end up with it in our cove.

I noticed the effort in wolfeboro bay seemed to have worked quite well. The few stalks I saw floating were clearly distressed or killed all together. I really believe that a milfoil treatment would benefit the basin as well. Property owners and Sunset lodges should get together and form an effort to get it treated.

[SAMIAM]

After milfoil has broken loose,it eventually sinks and each strand can produce 10 to 12 indidvidual new plants.That's why it multiplies so rapidly.I found one in a few inches of water on my beach and the roots were already established.

[Frdxplorer]

Wow, not exactly what I wanted to hear. What have you done to remedy your situation? I am curious if having a significant leaf cover on the floor of the lake helps to prevent it from establishing roots. Although there has been more this year, it is certainly not the first time we have seen milfoil in our area and to this point, have not gotten it. Also, at what depth is it too deep for milfoil to grow?

[newbie]

Frdxplorer

Unfortunately you are seeing the beginning of a big problem. Most of the mifoil is a non- native to NH but is very aggressive and if left untreated will occupy every inch of your area chocking out other aquatic life. Currently there is no long term solution for the weed. In my neck of the woods, our association got together and paid for a chemical treatment that seems to do the trick, however it is required every year so it is not cheap.

Without the treatment, no fish, no swimming, no fun!

Here is a link that gives more info http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/weeds/milfoil.html

Also, there is a published report by the NHDES on the Lower Suncook lake experiment http://www.des.state.nh.us/wmb/exoticspecies/Suncook_Lake_Milfoil_Research_Proj_F_R.pdf

Good luck

[rickstr66]

Unless something has changed in the last year or 2, the milfoil in Winni is a "NATIVE" species, not a non native species. Its been there for as long as I remember and is not the kind that grows in thick beds to the surface. It grows in much deeper water. Its been in Blacky cove in Center Harbor for at least 15 years. Its out in 20-25 feet of water in there. Maybe something has changed reciently. I remember contacting Fish and Game about this 5-6 years ago when the topic came up on a fishing message board I am a member of and they were the ones who told me it was a native species.

[SAMIAM]

The only solution that I know of is to gently dig up the roots so that they don't break off.On some busy days I find 10 or 12 3' strands of milfoil washed up on my beach.When I see them on the bottom,I use a snow rake to drag them in before they take root.This has worked so far because I have no established plants around my dock or beach dispite a huge field about 1/4 mile from me.The prevailing winds bring it right too me when boats chop it loose so i have to check almost daily.
Oh,by the way....the snow rake works great for removing any silt or leaves that settle on bottom.

[newbie]

SAMIAM

Sorry for the nieve question, but what is a snow rake?

[SIKSUKR]

A snow rake is used to pull snow off of the roof of your house.It has a flat blade approx. 10 inches by 24 inches attached to a long pole.normally made of aluminum.

[Onshore]

There is a native species of milfoil. However there is also, most definately exotic milfoil in Lake Winnipesaukee and it has been there for more than 5 or 6 years. In fact it was first documented in Moultonborough in 1965 and has spead outward from that area with additional infestations likely being caused by the continued introduction of fragments at various launch sites around the lake. The species found in Winnipesaukee is not the more well known Eurasian Milfoil but is instead Variable Milfoil. Even though it is a different species, Variable Milfoil presents all of the same invasive characteristics and potential problems posed by Eurasain Milfoil in other states

[LadyJane]

It's been interesting to read the thread on your milfoil problem, as I have recently been trained as a "weed watcher" by the Ct. Agriculture Experiment Station. The problem with invasive aquatic plants is a serious one. Here on my little lake in Ct. we also have the variable-leaf milfoil. A small, dried up piece of it stuck to the bottom of a boat, will rehydrate, root and flourish when the boat is put back into the water.