"[The] weed treatment herbicde 2,4-D, which is a member of the chlorophenoxy family of herbicides, was the first successful selective herbicide developed. [Introduced] in 1946 [it] rapidly became the most widely used herbicide in the world." You can find more information on 2,4-D from the Industry Task Force II on 2,4-D Research Data.

Marine Biochemists, under the supervision of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources conducted another successful invasive species lake weed treatment on June 3, 2010. The PLIA helps facilitate the  lake weed treatment each year. The treatment is actually undertaken by individual lake property owner applicants and Marine Biochemists and not the Lake Pewaukee Sanitary District which, along with a handful of individuals, opposes herbicide treatment for the removal of invasive species each year.

The invasive lake weed treatment took place under on-site DNR supervision.According to DNR supervisors on site, there was an increase in the number of applicant areas that were approved for full or partial treatment. However, the overall amount of acreage for which treatment applications were sought was lower than in the last few years. A handful of properties with small frontages were denied application approval because the very small size of the proposed application area was thought by the DNR to make the treatment ineffective. The DNR encourages small-frontage property owners to group together in a block of side-by-side properties. This makes herbicide application much easier and effective.

Marine Biochemists' special application boat allows for very precise control of the pelletized herbicide applicationMarine Biochemists has employed a special material blower mounted on the bow of their boat over the past few years which, coupled with the pelletized herbicide, allows for very precise placement of the material along shorelines, around piers and boat lifts, and along property lines. Navigate, the herbicide used for this treatment, has proven very effective for seasonal removal of invasive lake weeds for most treated areas of Pewaukee Lake. Removal of invasive weed species like Eurasian Watermilfoil allows native plants to grow and repopulate treated areas which promotes a much healthier aquatic environment.

Treated areas are posted after material application.In depth information about invasive weed treatment can be found in the Lake Weeds & Invasive Species section of our website.

We invite your comments on invasive species and weed treatment efforts on Pewaukee Lake. You can send us an email or click the "Post a Comment" link immediately below this entry.

A newly updated second edition of the highly regarded and widely read Biology and Control of Aquatic Plants: A Best Management Practices Handbook has been published and is avaialble from the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation website or in PDF form from the PLIA website. "This second edition has been specifically designed with the water resource manager, water management association, homeowners and customers and operators of aquatic plant management companies and districts in mind."