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Lakes group tackles invasive species

With zebra mussels found a few days ago at Lake Le Homme Dieu near Alexandria, and Eurasian watermilfoil found in early June in Upper Mission Lake north of Brainerd, invasive species is a concern of lake associations in Otter Tail County. This subject was addressed Saturday morning during the annual meeting of the Otter Tail Lakes Property Owners Association (OTLPOA).

“Don’t misunderstand the invasive species threat,” said Otter Tail Lake native Dann Siems who now is an adjunct biology teacher at Bemidji State University and an employee of the Beltrami County Soil and Water Conservation District. “Establishment of invasive species depends more on our behavior at lakes than their (invasive species) behavior.”

Siems, one of two speakers at the OTLPOA annual meeting, said more needs to be done in addition to checking boats and draining bait buckets, live wells and boats. Other ways are to limit runoff of nutrients into lakes and limit disturbances of shallow waters in area lakes.

Invasive species pose serious ecological and economic threats to Minnesota lakes and streams, including those in Otter Tail County. Heavy infestations can harm fish populations, interfere with recreation and increase costs for industry, including power and water supply facilities.

The non-native mussels can cling in clusters to boats, docks, plants and water intakes and can be hard on the feet of beach users.

“Lake pump intakes can become saturated after infestation of zebra mussels,” said Siems. “Boats have become encrusted with zebra mussels at other lakes, a prime example being Lake Minnetonka near the Twin Cities.”

The other speaker at the OTLPOA annual meeting, held at Thumper Pond in Ottertail, was Anna Ness, watercraft inspection program assistant, DNR Division of Ecological Resources.

“We at the DNR have summer interns to inspect watercraft at various lakes, and to inform boaters about the dangers of invasive species,” said Ness to OTLPOA members which represent Otter Tail, Deer, Walker, Blanche, Long, and Round lakes, as well as Otter Tail River North. The association has about 870 members.

Removing aquatic plants from boats and trailers to prevent the spread of invasive species is required by law.

Otter Tail Lakes Property Owners Association President Marlyn Kruschke, who earlier this year attended the Minnesota Waters Conference in Rochester, said OTLPOA members need to do all they can to prevent invasive species from entering waters in Otter Tail County.

Kruschke agrees with Siems and Ness in that a combined effort of boaters and property owners is the key to keeping invasive species at bay. Others in the OTLPOA, after hearing from Siems and Ness, agreed that boat inspections, keeping native vegetation near lakeshore, and keeping shallow waters as undisturbed as possible will go a long ways in maintaining the health of area lakes.