Squam Lakes Association ready to manage milfoil

HOLDERNESS — Since variable milfoil was first discovered in the Squam Lakes in 2000, the Squam Lakes Association has worked endlessly to keep this invasive aquatic plant controlled. The summer of 2016 marked another year of successful milfoil management on the Squam Lakes, but the mild winter conditions and early ice-out in the spring resulted in a significant grow-back of variable milfoil across the Squam waterbodies.

"Fortunately, our team of Squam Conservation Interns, the primary workforce behind our milfoil removal program, successfully tackled the grow-back and ultimately removed over 3,700 gallons of milfoil over the course of the summer months," said SLA Director of Conservation Rebecca Hanson.

Every weekday the SLA sent a team of interns into an area of Squam Lake, Little Squam Lake, or the Squam River. These interns spent most of their time removing milfoil in the Squam River, with 75 percent of their time spent diving in the Squam River.

"The growth in Squam Lake and Little Squam Lake continue to remain small and manageable, therefore allowing us to dedicate more time to the large infestations downstream," said Hanson.

Successful milfoil management is also credited to a committed group of Weed Watcher volunteers. While SLA's intern crew focuses largely on milfoil removal, the volunteer Weed Watchers are the first line of defense for undetected invasive species growth.

"Once trained, our Weed Watchers scan the shoreline and shallow areas in search of suspicious plant growth," said SLA Volunteers Coordinator Brian Gagnon. "This gives us more eyes on the water, bettering our chances of pulling it in time and successfully controlling it."

Another ally in the fight against milfoil in 2016 was the Ashland Elementary School fifth grade class. SLA Director of Conservation Rebecca Hanson visited these dedicated students at their school and discussed milfoil and its impact to the lake. These students then took action by writing to local papers and reaching out to local audiences, helping to spread the SLA's message and call for help.

In 2017, the SLA plans to build upon the success of past years with both interns and Weed Watchers.

"For 2017, we hope for a late ice-out and another ambitious intern crew and Weed Watcher team," says Hanson. "Battling this invasive plant requires constant attention and a community-wide effort."

The SLA will host Weed Watcher Mornings each Saturday during the upcoming summer months. These training events instruct Squam Lake enthusiasts the basics of underwater ecology and how to identify both native and nonnative plants, such as milfoil. All are welcome to attend.

For more information about invasive species, variable milfoil, Weed Watcher Mornings and SLA's efforts to control invasive species in the Squam Lakes, please visit their website www.squamlakes.org, or contact them directly at 603-968-7336 or info@squamlakes.org.