Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get involved with Minnesotans For Healthy Lakes?
Click here to fill out a contact form. We will then add you to our mailing list.
Where can I find information about my specific lake?
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Water Quality Information: Minnesota pollution control agency
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Lake Maps and Surveys: Lake Finder: Minnesota DNR
Why Control Aquatic Weeds?
Aquatic weed infestations adversely affect fish, wildlife, hunting, fishing, boating, recreation, irrigation and drainage. Heavy infestations may render an area unsuitable for fish by exhausting dissolved oxygen in the water, blocking sunlight essential to basic food production, by restricting the movement of fish, or by rendering shallow water unsuitable for spawning. Access to and use of ponds and lakes is reduced. Boating, swimming, skiing and other water oriented activities are hampered. Property values are reduced by excessive aquatic weed growth.
What Causes Aquatic Weed Growth?
Soil erosion leading to increased sediment runoff, discharge from inadequate septic systems, and hard surface runoff, can all introduce excess nutrient to the water. Waters that would not normally support heavy weed growth under natural conditions may support heavy weed growth as a result of excess nutrient introduced by human activities. When introduced to water exotics such as Eurasian milfoil and curly leaf pondweed may grow to the exclusion of native species.
Don't Weeds Produce Oxygen Needed by Fish?
Weeds do produce oxygen, but not nearly as much as provided to the water by contact with the atmosphere. Weeds can consume oxygen in the water during cloudy overcast weather. Heavy surface mats of vegetation reduce oxygen transfer from the atmosphere into the water by sealing the water surface from the atmosphere.
Why Not Harvest Weeds?
Harvesting can provide immediate short-term relief and remove nutrient from the water. Fragments left from harvesting will propagate many weeds, for example Eurasian milfoil. Harvesting these weeds may actually cultivate and propagate rather than control the weed.
Will Products Used to Control Aquatic Weeds Build Up In the Environment?
No. Modern Products, those studied, reviewed and registered by US EPA, are tested for persistence in the environment. If the material is persistent in the environment or tends to accumulate in living tissue its use will be severely restricted or not allowed. Modern Products do not persist in the environment or accumulate in living tissue; bacteria, sunlight, water and other environmental factors rapidly degrade them.
Will Products Used to Control Aquatic Weeds Harm Fish?
No. When used according to label instructions there is a wide margin of safety with respect to both fish and wildlife. Fish are generally at greatest risk from oxygen depletion resulting from the decay of dead vegetation. Heavy weed infestations are often a greater risk to fish than the products that are used to control weeds.
Will Products Used to Control Aquatic Weeds Contaminate Ground Water?
No. Modern products, those studied, reviewed and registered by US EPA, are tested for soil mobility. If the material is able to readily move through the soil before degrading, its use will be severely restricted or not allowed.
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