DNR to hold meeting on Eurasian watermilfoil, curly leaf pondweed treatment in Clear Lake

CLEAR LAKE — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will be holding a public meeting on Thursday in Clear Lake to discuss management options to reduce the spread of Eurasian watermilfoil and curly leaf pondweed.

The DNR’s tentative long-term plan includes pursuing a whole lake treatment this fall and winter to eradicate Eurasian watermilfoil from the lake and provide control over curly leaf pondweed for the 2025 recreation season. A small area of Eurasian watermilfoil was found in the fall of 2023 east of McIntosh Beach and was treated in May of this year. A larger area was found earlier this summer near Farmer’s Beach with a more aggressive spot treatment of that and other public access areas being completed in August to help prevent the spread of the invasive plant.

Clear Lake Enhancement and Restoration Project coordinator Joel Schwichtenberg says that treatment last month appears to have been effective. “About 140 acres of the Clausen Cove area was identified as the parent growth of this Eurasian watermilfoil, and so it was treated with aquatic herbicide. We will kind of determine that efficacy come next year, but initial response is that it was a good application, ideal conditions for the actual application, so very promising going forward.”

The DNR is asking boaters and other lake users to be extra vigilant and help prevent the spread of invasive aquatic plants to other lakes in the area. The meeting will take place at Clear Lake City Hall Thursday night starting at 6:30. It will also be live-streamed through the City of Clear Lake’s YouTube page.