EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL Found in Big Elk Lake

Two rounds of hand pulling done and chemical  treatment is recommended in the spring.

The poor shape of the plants makes it less likely chemicals would help now.

More plants than expected with multiple heads implies this was here last year.

The fast flow in the spring may mean trying to treat a little later when flow is settled down. 

There were about 5 five gallon buckets of plants removed. 

The area is small and shallow making the treatment area pretty cheap but should get a quote.

Area residents should learn how to identify this invader and keep a watchful eye out for plants that should be removed quickly. Especially in the river outlet which was not part of the survey.

At the end information was relayed to DNR . 9/18/2020 - 9/20/2020

This summer, volunteers with a Sherburne SWCD monitoring program found an interesting species of clam at the public boat access on Briggs Lake.  This clam, the golden clam (sometimes referred to as Asian Clam or by its scientific name, Corbicula fluminea), is not native to North America and may have been accidentally introduced because of its use in the food and aquarium industries or as a “hitchhiker” in the transfer of other species.   The golden clam is not thought to be able to tolerate Minnesota’s harsh winters; until recently they have been only reported as being found in open water systems such as major rivers that infrequently freeze over or near power plants where cooling water discharge keeps the waters warmer.  The Briggs Lake golden clams are the first known discovery in a Minnesota inland lake where live individuals were discovered with the potential for over-winter survival to have occurred.  Currently, the clams are not known to exist in other places of the Briggs Chain but it is entirely possible for them to exist elsewhere.
The most prominent impact of golden clam in the areas it invades is biofouling (clogging) of infrastructure.  While the Minnesota climate seems to be unlikely to support populations that would lead to widespread, severe impacts this discovery warrants further investigation.  Sherburne SWCD is partnering with the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) to study the golden clams in Briggs Lake.  We will be visiting Briggs Lake monthly in the next year to document water conditions and observe the survivability of the clams.  Before we begin our study, we would like to gain knowledge on where in the lake chain these clams are occurring.  With that, we are circulating this notice to ask for your help in finding clam populations.  If you would like to assist us with this study, please follow the procedure below:
Review the attached golden clam (aka Asian clam) identification sheet or visit the MAISRC Identification Guide online and find the clam on page 34
Search your nearshore area (or neighbors with permission) for golden clams.  You can search for shells washed up on shore or if you feel comfortable you can use a bucket or sand toys to scoop some of the sediment from shallow nearshore areas to search. 
If you find something that resembles the golden clam take a photograph of the specimen and estimate its size (diameter).  You may keep several specimens as a voucher in a jar or bag with water – do not transport off your property, we will make arrangements to view your specimens at your residence.
Collect a GPS point or description of the location, or mark with a flag or other marker.
Report the finding to Dan Cibulka (dcibulka@sherburneswcd.org or 763-220-3434 ext 103) by October 19th.
We will visit locations reported to us for further evaluation, and may ask if we can put a flag or marker on the location.Thank you for your participation!  We intend to complete the study in fall of 2021 and a full report will be made available to the Briggs Chain Lakes Association and Three Lakes Improvement District at that time.

Once Eurasian watermilfoil is established in a lake as it was in 2013, it is nearly impossible to eradicate. 

Last year there were suspected plants reported in a single location and when I went to hand pull them they were not found.

The precaution was taken to hand rake the entire area and remove all plant material within 50 feet of the suspect spot.

Since there was nothing found no treatment was performed.

This year the survey was unable to locate plants to treat as well and there will be no treatment or hand pulling.

A followup look will take place in August as was done last year to be sure.

We also hope that residents keep an eye out and report any sightings of the plants.

Identification information can be found on page 11 of the Welcome to Community Information (2018) (pdf)Download 

under the membership section of the BriggsLakeChainAssociation website.

The 2020 version did not include that information due to printing costs.

Response from DNR Aquatic Invasive Species Specialist:

"We would consider it successful if it is not observed after 5 years.  This would be a rare occurrence. I am glad to hear that you are having success."

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Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has killed millions of ash trees since 2002.
Minnesota currently has the largest Ash tree population in the United States. 
Don’t move firewood to or from your lake home from long distances.
(You typically can’t see if firewood is infested or not, so why take the risk?)
Emerald Ash Borer is on its destructive path (CLICK HERE FOR KARE 11 STORY) 
It is spreading too!  Now only 6.5 miles east and southeast of Elk River:  (CLICK HERE FOR MAP) 
Early detection is critical to minimizing tree loss and the subsequent loss of environmental benefits.