Weed Control

If the aquatic plant Hydrilla comes to Michigan, it could overwhelm waterways.  Michigan State University is asking lake residents to keep watch in their lakes and report any suspected Hydrilla findings.

Spotlight on Hydrilla – MSU Extension

Hydrilla Hunt Card

Sea Grant-Michigan

 – Volunteers can make a difference

Aquatic Nuisance Control

Inland Lakes Management – MDEQ Information

The MDEQ maintains an online system to track permit applications for aquatic nuisance plant control, seawall construction, beach sanding, and any other activities proposed to be done in an inland lake that require and MDEQ permit.  That system is being updated – the link will be posted once the system becomes live.

 Lake Chemung’s Aquatic Nuisance Plant Control Program

Residents have taken steps to implement a lake management program to stop the spread and continued growth of Eurasion Watermilfoil and other nuisance aquatic plants in Lake Chemung

2002 – Work began to create a Special Assessment District (SAD) to fund weed control on the lake.  Petition signatures supporting a SAD to fund a chemical weed control program on the lake were turned in to Genoa Township in October 2002.  Genoa Township’s tax assessor verified that 54.8 % of the residents from around the lake signed the petitions to create the SAD.  The township approved the project to proceed.
2003 – On January 6, 2003, the Genoa Township board approved a resolution to create a SAD to fund Lake Chemung’s weed control project.  The first of two (2) required public hearings was held at the Genoa Township Hall on February 3, 2003.  The second of the two (2) required public hearings was held on Monday March 17, 2003 at the Genoa Township Hall.  The township passed a resolution to create the SAD at the March 17th meeting.  Residential properties in the SAD will be taxed equally and industrial/commercial properties in the SAD will be taxed a larger dollar amount based upon front footage on the lake and the number of parcels owned.  During the spring/summer 2003, the lake was treated with two applications of fluridone (to treat for Eurasian Watermilfoil) and one localized application of copper sulfate to treat for algae.
2004 – The Year 2004 program addressed control of chara, Curly Leaf Pondweed, and filamentous algae.  A lake survey was completed in late May 2004 and Copper Sulfate (to treat the chara and filamentous algae) and Aquathol-K (to treat the Curly Leaf Pondweed) were applied to the lake in early June 2004.  Lake surveys were performed on several occasions throughout the summer 2004 and chemicals were applied to the lake as needed.
2005 – The Lake Chemung Weed Management Program was expanded in 2005 to include a contract for weed harvesting as an optional weed control method.  The program was also expanded to include an investigation of the surface water drains that empty into the lake to determine if they are having a negative impact on the lake’s water quality, and, if so, to propose work that could feasibly be done to correct problems.  Two chemical treatments were done in the lake, one in May and the other in June 2005, and weed harvesting was done in Mid-July 2005.
2006 – ProgressiveAE surveyed the lake on several occasions and determined the lake’s weed management needs.  Herbicides were applied to the lake in early and mid-May, in mid-June, and in late July 2006.  Weed harvesting occurred in late June 2006.
2007 – The LCRA petitioned the township to continue their SAD for a second five year period (2008-2013).  The township adopted a resolution to proceed with the LCRA’s request on March 13, 2007 and the first of two public hearings to discuss the proposal was held on April 2, 2007 at the Genoa Township Hall.  The second required public hearing on the SAD was held on May 7, 2007.  The township passed a resolution to approve the SAD for an additional five year period.
2008 – ProgressiveAE prepared a 3 year lake management plan for the lake and submitted it to the DEQ as part of the permit process to chemically treat the lake. Aqua Weed Control submitted an application to treat the lake with herbicides to the DEQ in January 2008.  The permit was to apply Sonar (Fluridone) in the early spring to control Eurasian Watermilfoil, Curly Leaf Pondweed, and other nuisance plants and to apply selected algaecides to control algae as needed. The DEQ issued the permit on April 10, 2008 and Sonar was applied into the lake in April/May 2008.  Selected algaecide treatments were also done throughout the summer.  ProgressiveAE performed an Aquatic Visual Assessment Survey in September 2008 to assess the program: Survey and Survey Summary
2009 – Selective herbicides were applied to the lake throughout the summer to control the nuisance weeds.  ProgressiveAE performed a survey in August 2009 to assess the program:  Aquatic Vegetation Assessment Site (AVAS) Survey
2010 – Selective herbicides were applied to the lake throughout the summer and one weed harvesting was done in July to control the nuisance weeds.  ProgressiveAE performed an Aquatic Vegetation Assessment Site (AVAS) Survey on 8/18/2010 as required in the DNRE weed control permit.
2011 – Sonar was applied into the lake in April/May 2011 and the weeds in the lake were harvested in July 2011.
2012 – Pam Tyning from ProgressiveAE attended the April 18, 2012 LCRA meeting and talked about the aquatic plants in Lake Chemung and treatments and harvesting to be done during the Summer 2012.   Handout from meeting – Common aquatic plants in Lake Chemung.  AquaWeed Control treated the lake for Curly Leaf Pondweed, Starry Stonewort, and filamentous algae on May 30 and June 8th and 18th, 2012.  ProgressiveAE surveyed the lake on July 3, 2012 and AquaWeed Control treated the lake for Starry Stonewort on July 12, 2012.  ProgressiveAE surveyed the lake on July 25, 2012 and weed harvesting was completed shortly thereafter.
2013 –

  • 2011-2013 Lake Chemung Management Plan 
  • Following 2 public hearings, Genoa Township approved the LCRA’s request to extend the lake’s special assessment for lake management for another 5 year period (2013-2017).
  • The DEQ issued Lake Chemung’s permit to apply herbicides into the lake on 4/22/2013.
  • ProgressiveAE conducted their first survey of the lake on May 15, 2013.  Due to the late date for ice melt on the lake, there was little aquatic vegetation growth in the lake.
  • ProgressiveAE conducted a lake survey on June 4, 2013 and ordered a lake treatment to be conducted (Map identifying treatment areas).  The treatment was done on June 11, 2013.
  • ProgressiveAE conducted a lake survey on June 27, 2013 and ordered weed harvesting in the lake (Map identifying weed harvesting areas).  Weed harvesting was done in Mid-July.
  • AquaWeed Control applied copper products into the lake in the Chemung Drive/S. Hughes Road area to treat the dense chara growth.  The application took place on July 18, 2013 (Map identifying treatment area).
  • ProgressiveAE performed a lake survey during the first week in September and AquaWeed Control treated an area of lily pads in the lake in mid-September (Lily Pad Treatment area and Lily Pad Treatment Map).
2014 –

  • The DEQ issued Lake Chemung’s permit to apply herbicides into the lake on 2/10/2014.
  • The DEQ conducted their first survey of the lake on May 23, 2014 and it was determined that the rooted native plants were down in the lake and not causing any problems.  A few areas of exotic plants were noted in the east end of the lake and they were treated on 6/10/2014 (Treatment Map).
  • A second lake treatment, for exotics and algae, will be taking place in mid-June (Treatment Map).
  • Weed harvesting was conducted on the lake in mid-July (Harvesting Map).
  • A lake treatment for macro-algae (chara, starry stonewort) is scheduled to take place on 7/31/2014 (Treatment Map).
2015 –

  • AquaWeed Control submitted an application to the DEQ to perform herbicide applications in the lake during the 2015 spring/summer season – the DEQ issued the permit for these applications on March 11, 2015.
  • A weed survey was performed on May 12, 2015 and treatment for Eurasian Milfoil was recommended and completed (Treatment Map)
  • A weed survey was performed on June 2, 2015 and treatment for Eurasian Milfoil was recommended and completed(Treatment Map)
  • A weed survey was performed on June 26, 2015 and treatment for Eurasian Milfoil was recommended and completed (Treatment Map)
  • Weed harvesting was conducted on the lake in late July 2015.
2016 –

  •  AquaWeed Control submitted an application to the DEQ to perform herbicide applications in the lake  – the DEQ issued a 3-year permit for these applications on March 11, 2015.
  •  A whole lake Fluridone Treatment was conducted in the lake on May 11, 2016.
  •  A second Fluridone Treatment was conducted in the lake on June 1, 2016 to bump up the herbicide concentration in the water to prescribed levels for adequate treatment.
  • A copper sulfate herbicide treatment was conducted in the lake on July 27, 2016.  The treatment was done to control Starry Stonewort and nuisance Chara in shallow areas around the lake (Map of treatment area).
  • ProgressiveAE completed a plant survey in the lake on Thursday September 2, 2016.  (Aquatic Vegetation Assessment Survey)
2017 –
2018 –

  • ProgressiveAE completed a lake survey on Lake Chemung on May 14, 2018.  The survey showed little rooted plant growth in the lake so no treatment is planned.  A follow-up survey will be done in another month to determine if a lake treatment is needed at that time.
  • ProgressiveAE completed a lake survey on Lake Chemung on May 31, 2018; the treatment was performed on June 7, 2018 -. Map of treatment area
  • ProgressiveAE completed a lake survey on Lake Chemung on July 17, 2018 to evaluate the need for and locations needing weed harvesting.  Harvesting began later in the week – Map of harvesting area
  • ProgressiveAE completed a lake survey on Lake Chemung on August 28, 2018.  The lake was found to be in good condition and no further treatments are necessary during this summer season.

Lake Management Information

2019 Plant Management Program

  • ProgressiveAE completed a lake survey on Lake Chemung on June 4, 2019.  A lake treatment was performed on June 17, 2019 – Map of treatment area 
  • ProgressiveAE ProgressiveAE completed a lake survey on Lake Chemung in July 2019 and scheduled with Midwest Marine to harvest the lake weeds beginning on July 17, 2019 – Map of harvesting area

Questions/problems regarding weed control on Lake Chemung should be directed to one of our Lake Managers: Pam Tyning  Office Telephone:  616-447-3377 or Rick Buteyn  Office Telephone: 616-447-3351.   Or, you can contact an LCRA board member .

LAKE CHEMUNG - PO Box 195 Howell, MI, 48844