Lake Weed Profile On Eurasian Watermilfoil

The invasive Eurasian Watermilfoil can cause many issues for recreational lake users, such as creating clusters of weeds along one’s lakefront and getting stuck in boat propellers, amongst many more! Continue reading to learn how to identify and remove the weed safely and effectively:

How to Identify Eurasian Watermilfoil

Eurasian watermilfoil is a rooted, submerged weed with green leaves and white or reddish stems. Although it can grow up to 20 feet tall, it is typically around three to nine feet tall.

Image from the Invasive Species Centre

What to Look For in Your Lake Weeds

Eurasian watermilfoil has a common look-alike of the Minnesota native northern watermilfoil. The way to tell the difference is that northern watermilfoil has 5-9 leaflet pairs, and it produces clusters of leaves at the end of the stem at the end of the growing season.

Northern Watermilfoil via Aquatic Biologists, Inc., which is often mistaken for Eurasian Watermilfoil.

Impact of Eurasian Watermilfoil

Eurasian watermilfoil is a prohibited invasive species in Minnesota. You cannot possess, import, purchase, or transport these species unless you have a permit. Invasive species have a significant impact on our beautiful lakes. For example, these invasive species create dense mats on the water’s surface, inhibiting water recreationists, such as boating and jet skiing. They also overtake habitats, potentially lowering diversity because they outshine native aquatic plants. These invasive species also create poor shelter, food, and nesting habitats for our native animals.

What to Do About Eurasian Watermilfoil

The most common method by which invasive Eurasian watermilfoil spreads is through the movement of equipment such as boats, trailers, or motors. These weeds can get stuck in propeller blades or other mechanisms, and it just takes one plant fragment to start a new population!

Minnesota law requires all individuals to clean watercraft of all aquatic plants, drain all water within their boat by removing drain plugs and keeping them out during transport, dispose of unwanted bait in the trash, and dry docking and lift equipment for at least 21 days before placing equipment into another lake.

Control Methods for Invasive Lake Weeds

Waterfront Restoration’s Scuba By-The-Root removal is an instantaneous, eco-friendly choice for Eurasian watermilfoil removal! We pull each weed by the root so that you can tackle the problem at the source, and we haul away all of your weeds so you can sit back and enjoy your lakefront!

Click here to learn more about aquatic invasive species in Minnesota from our experts at Waterfront Restoration.

Contact Waterfront Restoration to help with your weed removal needs.

You can learn more about Eurasian watermilfoil at dnr.state.mn.us.

Resources

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquaticplants/milfoil/index.html