High Country Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council
Local People Solving Local Problems
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Henrys Lake Eurasian watermilfoil Prevention
Henrys Lake
Eurasian watermilfoil
Alert
Eurasian watermilfoil has not yet been found in Henrys Lake.
However, the lake is considered “highly susceptible water”
The Fremont County Weed Control has launched an initiative aimed at preventing
the inadvertent introduction of Eurasian watermilfoil into the lake.
Why is it a problem?
Henrys Lake has exceptional native aquatic vegetation. It supports a thriving ecosystem that
sustains the lake’s highly productive fisheries. Eurasian watermilfoil is an aggressive aquatic plant that
could overtake the lake and form dense mats which could congest waterways and crowds out native
aquatic plants. In addition, it’s thick growth impairs recreational uses of waterways including boating,
swimming, and fishing.
Where is it now?
There have been a few questions about Eurasian watermilfoil. Where is it located in the nation? Why
does it matter where I am from? The following website hosts an interactive map of the United
States, and may help answer your questions.
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=237
*Alert* A boat by the name of "Hello" drove through Idaho caring aquatic nuisance species on May
18th 2009. Click here for more information:
http://www.khq.com/Global/SearchResults.asp?vendor=wss&qu=Quagga+mussels
How does it spread?
Eurasian watermilfoil is spread by plant fragments. Carriers of these fragments are boats, motors,
trailers, live wells, bait buckets, or fishing gear. These fragments can stay alive for weeks if they
remain
wet. Once established are carried by wind and water currents
spreading throughout the lake.
What can you do to help protect Henrys Lake?
The best way to control Eurasian watermilfoil is to prevent the weed from spreading to new areas.
Before entering any new waters inspect and clean boats, trailers, float tubes, and other watercraft.
This prevents spreading it into other bodies of water.
Pump your bilge before entering new waters. Eurasian watermilfoil will stay alive in the bilge water
of your boat.
Learn to identify Eurasian watermilfoil and native milfoils.
Find out where Eurasian watermilfoil is known to occur. If you boat in these waters, take all
appropriate prevention measures.
Participate in the Henrys Lake Eurasian watermilfoil initiative. Click Volunteer to help out.
What's new at Henrys Lake?
Henrys Lake Boat Washes
Free boat and float tube washes are offered daily from 7am to 7pm at the Henrys Lake State
Park , Bill Frome County Park, and Wild Rose County Dock on the Lake. High pressure washers
are also available at Wild Rose, the IDFG Henrys Lake Fish Hatchery, and the Henrys Lake State Park.
The boat washes take only seconds. To preview a boat wash your computer must have apple quick
time. Click on the following to see a boat wash. Henrys Lake Boat Wash.
Boater Surveys
Throughout the summer, project staff will ask a series of survey questions enabling them to track
possible invasive fragments and prevent spreading. They will also be available to answer any questions
and provide further information about Eurasian watermilfoil.
To see the survey you will be filling out click on the following words: Boater Survey
Lake Monitoring and Sampling
So far no Eurasian watermilfoil has been found on the lake. However, native milfoil is abundant and
unusually healthy. Native milfoil is not a threat to Henrys Lake, but looks very similar to Eurasian
watermilfoil. Sampling and collections will continue throughout the summer. If Eurasian watermilfoil is
found, special precautions will be taken. Fremont county and High Country RC&D thank you for your
efforts and
support.
Eurasian watermilfoil is on the left.
Native watermilfoil is on the right.
Take Notice. Take Action.
Take Responsibility.
For more information contact Fremont County Weed Control Supervisor, Bryce Fowler, by phone:
(208) 624-3102 or (208) 709-2181
Project Funded by the Idaho Department of Agriculture.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you would like to be added to our contact databases for updated information on the prevention efforts and survey results
please submit your address. To be added to the Henrys Lake Eurasian watermilfoil updates contact list please email your
name and email address to hcountryrcd@gmail.com
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