Eagle Lake Eurasian Water milfoil Management Survey

We need to gauge your satisfaction with Eurasian water milfoil management. Since “satisfaction” is a relative term some of the questions relate to how long you have been on Eagle Lake. In 2001 EWM was so bad that it formed a ring around the lake in the shallow zone (3-15’ deep) and by mid summer and on into the fall, the EWM “mat” was floating on the surface. It was almost impossible to swim through or to get a boat through without reversing the prop to clear the weeds.

As to the economics of the management, in 2001 each lake front owner was assessed $142 and back lot owners half that amount. That has been the only expense to date. Compared to the cost of herbicide treatment, we had received a bid for $65,700. Ackley Lake in Paw Paw in 2001 chose herbicides and paid over $65,000. They are now on their second herbicide treatment at the same amount. That means we have paid $35,000 for a lake 2.5 times larger. They will have spent over $130,000 over the same time span.

Please bring the completed form to the annual meeting or fold it in thirds and mail it to ELPPA care of Chuck Cubbage as addressed on the other side. That will help us continue managing EWM in a way that protects the lake resources and provides for your needs, too.

Survey items

To determine if you were impacted by the original severe Eurasian water milfoil (EWM) infestation:

1. Did you own property in our assessment district or use Eagle Lake before 2001?

Yes ____ No ____

2. When did you come to Eagle Lake?

a. 1995 or earlier ____

b. 1996 to 1999 ____

c. 2000 – 2003 ____

d. 2004 - 2005 ____

e. After 2006 ____

3. Number the activities you do at the lake. (1 for highest use and 2-5 for lesser uses. Use 0 for none).

a. Viewing ____

b. Swimming ____

c. Fishing ____

d. Boating ____

e. Personal Watercraft ____

f. Other ____

4. Have you had to clear your boat or PWC of Eurasian water milfoil*? (Please check all that apply)

a. Before 2000 ____

b. Before 2004 ____

c. After 2004 ____

d. In 2006 ____

e. In 2007 ____

* Not all aquatic weeds are EWM. See: http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/myrspi.html for photos.

5. Has EWM interfered with swimming or use of a diving raft?

a. Before 2000 ____

b. Before 2004 ____

c. After 2004 ____

d. In 2006 ____

e. In 2007 ____

6. Other comments: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If weeds other than EWM have caused problems please write “other” in the appropriate locations. If you are uncertain about weed identity or have questions please feel free to call Dr. Cubbage at 269-657-2122