Aquatic Invasive Species Containment System

In the fall of 2014, the Perch Lake Owners Association (PLOA) developed an ambitious plan for implementing an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Containment System at the public boat launch at Perch Lake. Several factors led to this decision, including discussion with Ian Shackleford, Botanist with the Ottawa National Forest. He notified area lake residents of the following:

Eurasian water-milfoil (EWM) is aggressively spreading in neighboring lakes. We need volunteers to help monitor the boat landing area to ensure early detection. The cost to control this aggressive plant is prohibitive unless identified early. If you think you may have detected EWM, please collect a sample and contact Ian Shackleford of the NFS to confirm the identification at: ishackleford@fs.fed.us or 906-932-1330, ext. 331.

Eurasian water-milfoil (EWM) is an invasive submerged aquatic plant that is native to Europe, Asia and North Africa. This harmful, aggressive plant species was discovered in the United States in the 1940s and made its way into Michigan in the 1960s. It forms a thick bed of tangled plant mass that disrupts native plant and animal habitat, reduces water quality, and hinders boating, fishing and swimming. For more information about EWM, please read the following pages and documents from the Michigan Sea Grant: About EWM,  EWM Fact Sheet (PDF, 281k), Infested MI Lakes, 2006 (PDF, 59k).

Extensive discussion with the PLOA Board, residents and other stakeholders led to the decision to take a proactive approach to EWM. A containment system plan was developed with the goals being:

  1. Preserve and protect Perch Lake.
  2. Develop a more comprehensive, efficient, and economical way of preventing aquatic invasive species introduction into Perch Lake as no other current method satisfies our situation.
  3. Monitor and collect the types of aquatic invasive species that could be exposing Perch Lake to infestation.

This immense undertaking was the brainchild of PLOA Lake Management Committee Chair Jim Novitski, with monumental efforts led by Chris Quinn, the PLOA Board, and dozens of volunteers and family members. The Perch Lake community is eternally grateful to everyone who contributed to this massive undertaking in 2015, and we look forward to protecting Perch Lake for many years to come.

A Brief History of the Containment System

2013-14

We began discussions amongst the PLOA about trying to improve on the conventional methods of protecting Perch Lake from aquatic invasive species (AIS) which had been limited to sporadic monitoring and an occasional visit from a portable boat washer that circulates throughout Iron County.

2014

We started to gather information from containment system suppliers to present ideas to the PLOA members. In the fall, thanks to great understanding and foresight, the membership of PLOA approved the project and began a fund raising effort. We also began applying for permits at this time. Following permits the engineering plans were selected and material preparations began. The order for the boom/netting material was placed.

2015

Thanks to a fantastic turnout of members, friends, colleagues and associates, the initial installation of the containment area system was completed. After a successful three month deployment, the containment system was removed and stored for the season.

2016-Current

The containment system has been installed every spring and removed every fall annually. This work has been completed PLOA members, Iron Baraga Conservation District, and West Iron County High School Forestry Club. Most recently the PLOA has contracted with a local business to help with the containment installation and removal. We have the containment area inspected annually for invasive species and thus far we have not found anything of concern.