The GLA uses a drone to scan Glen Lake for Eurasian watermilfoil, an invasive aquatic plant.
When it comes to watershed health, the Glen Lake Association (GLA) acts like a family doctor, conducting general check-ups and routine tests. For an established condition or illness, a doctor prescribes a treatment and follows closely, checking for continued improvement. The GLA functions similarly, especially when it comes to protecting the lakes from Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM).
EWM is an aggressive invasive aquatic plant that lowers water quality, chokes out other aquatic plants and fish, and limits recreation activity. Since 2023, the GLA has been fighting to eradicate EWM from Little Glen Lake by collaborating with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) to implement an effective, sustainable burlap method that smothers the plant without the use of chemicals. We’re thrilled to report that our results have been strong!
The burlap method was developed together by the GTB and Lake Leelanau Lake Association. While it’s highly effective against EWM, this plant is still incredibly persistent. As we continue the abatement process, we expect the plant to fight back and send out new growth to overcome the barriers. So, we’re regularly monitoring for new growth throughout the season.
In June, our team went back into Little Glen Lake with a trained diver to monitor all the burlap barriers and cover any new EWM growth. We easily located our four old sites, each of which had between one and five new sprigs of EWM. We covered these with more burlap and secured them with sandbags. In total, the team installed eight 4’x4’ burlap barriers—a total of 128 ft2—with 32 sandbags to cover 13 new sprigs of EWM.
Over the summer, our team snorkeled four miles of shallow water to look for new EWM infestations in places where the plant is more likely to take root. We also conducted several excursions by boat and on foot to check for EWM washing ashore after especially strong winds, as the plant easily fragments and strong winds can cast bits of the plant up on the windward shorelines. Thankfully, we didn’t discover any new EWM in either case.
You may have also seen the launch of our new Community-Based Monitoring Program to encourage riparians and other watershed residents to keep an eye out for suspicious plant fragments as they walk along shorelines. Luckily, none of the fragments reported so far are invasive, and the program continues to help raise awareness of EWM among community members. If you haven’t signed up yet, please do. We still need volunteers!