kelseyprice7 For some years now phragmites growth was primarily in the southeast portion of the lake. In recent years there has been noticeable spreading of this species around the lake. In a special meeting of the membership on August 21, 2022 it was voted to make a sustained effort to mitigate/control the phragmite population around our lake. This project would be overseen by our Water Quality Committee and licensed professionals.
Since our membership’s approval to move forward with the Phragmites Eradication plan, the rules for treating plants in the water had to be revised to comply with the state and permitting. In response to this change Michael Pierce, Water Quality Committee Chairperson along with a few volunteers went to work in late summer. All phragmites that were rooted in water were cut down close to lake bottom and then cut several more times into small lengths and placed into contractor garbage bags for decomposition over the coming months. This was a very time-consuming job, well over 100 man hours, as hand snippers needed to be used in the water. The landowners with the most concentration of growth on South East lakeside were contacted and meetings were held with the committee and Luke Hardt who was hired to perform the phragmites control spraying. Only one spraying application was able to be done this fall before the first frost arrived.
We reached out to everyone for help as it was then time to cut the standing phragmites on land and stack them so they can continue decomposition over winter. On a cold overcast day with some mist in the air once again volunteers rallied with help on Saturday November 12, 2022, starting at 8:30 AM. We used hedge trimmers to cut down the phragmites and then volunteers helped clear them from the growth area and stack them for the winter. We rented a gas-powered hedge trimmer and a volunteer brought a battery powered hedge trimmer. Also, a string trimmer with the blade attachment was used to cut the phragmites. Everyone was cold, wet, and many times in water above ankles as there had been much rain prior to this work date. The work crew was very determined and shared the goal of getting this phase of the project completed that day. The goal was to clean the phragmite stands with rakes after the cutting and stack the cut phragmites in piles that could be burned during a safe time this winter.
Everyone around the lake will notice in the spring the different shoreline view in the Southeast portion of the lake because of the work of these volunteers. Much ongoing work remains to help control phragmites growth, so there will still be a need for more volunteerism. Be ready to roll up your sleeves. Thanks to all the following lake neighbors who have helped in this project to date. They are Mike Pierce, Charise Baker, Ken Kasz, Joe Little, John Wooten, Bob Sharkey, Mary Ann Fletcher, Heidi Cooperstein, Steve Goldstein, Bob Allen, and Tim Plastridge. Mike Pierce will continue to oversee this project so please reach out to him if you can help in any way at WaterQuality@lakeparker.org.
