03-16-2011, 11:10 AM
More boaters can use Lake Manitou this year.
The DNR has no plans to temporarily close boat ramps, something it's done for spring/summer portions of the past four years.
The reason for the closures has been the presence of hydrilla, an exotic, highly invasive plant, and the need to contain the plant to this one body of water. The plant was first confirmed as being in the lake in August 2006.
The reason for the change is DNR's four-year eradication program, which has reduced the hydrilla tuber population by approximately 99 percent, according to Doug Keller, aquatic invasive species specialist with the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Even with the high degree of success, the DNR will continue its eradication efforts in order to eliminate the last of what remains of the plant.
"We've watched the plants very closely each year following the initial treatment and we've seen young hydrilla plants are affected by the chemical very quickly, resulting in the growth of hydrilla being stopped while the plants are still small," Keller said.
Treatment strategy for the upcoming season is similar to that of the past. The chemical Sonar will be used. Sonar, with the active ingredient Fluridone, is an aquatic herbicide produced by SePRO Corporation of Carmel. Humans, fish and other aquatic life are not harmed by Sonar, especially at the extremely low rate being used at the lake, according to Keller.
Keller cautioned that if the continued effort appears to not be as effective as before, the DNR would interrupt use of the ramps again.
"We will place an immediate restriction if hydrilla plants don't seem to be responding as they have in the past," Keller said, "and if it looks like the threat of escape via boats is possible."
Keller said that with fewer tubers of hydrilla in the water and the success in stopping the growth while the plants are still small, the risk of moving the plants from the lake to other water bodies by boaters is now extremely low but still exists.
Boaters should continue to remove plants, mud and other debris from their watercraft when they remove it from the water, not only at Manitou but anywhere else in the state.
For more information on hydrilla and other aquatic invasive species, see www.invasivespecies.IN.gov.
Media Contact
Marty Benson, DNR assistant director of communications, (317) 233-3853.
The DNR has no plans to temporarily close boat ramps, something it's done for spring/summer portions of the past four years.
The reason for the closures has been the presence of hydrilla, an exotic, highly invasive plant, and the need to contain the plant to this one body of water. The plant was first confirmed as being in the lake in August 2006.
The reason for the change is DNR's four-year eradication program, which has reduced the hydrilla tuber population by approximately 99 percent, according to Doug Keller, aquatic invasive species specialist with the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Even with the high degree of success, the DNR will continue its eradication efforts in order to eliminate the last of what remains of the plant.
"We've watched the plants very closely each year following the initial treatment and we've seen young hydrilla plants are affected by the chemical very quickly, resulting in the growth of hydrilla being stopped while the plants are still small," Keller said.
Treatment strategy for the upcoming season is similar to that of the past. The chemical Sonar will be used. Sonar, with the active ingredient Fluridone, is an aquatic herbicide produced by SePRO Corporation of Carmel. Humans, fish and other aquatic life are not harmed by Sonar, especially at the extremely low rate being used at the lake, according to Keller.
Keller cautioned that if the continued effort appears to not be as effective as before, the DNR would interrupt use of the ramps again.
"We will place an immediate restriction if hydrilla plants don't seem to be responding as they have in the past," Keller said, "and if it looks like the threat of escape via boats is possible."
Keller said that with fewer tubers of hydrilla in the water and the success in stopping the growth while the plants are still small, the risk of moving the plants from the lake to other water bodies by boaters is now extremely low but still exists.
Boaters should continue to remove plants, mud and other debris from their watercraft when they remove it from the water, not only at Manitou but anywhere else in the state.
For more information on hydrilla and other aquatic invasive species, see www.invasivespecies.IN.gov.
Media Contact
Marty Benson, DNR assistant director of communications, (317) 233-3853.