Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Activities

This year marks our 25th anniversary of finding Eurasian Water Milfoil in the Lake (https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/aquatic/plants/eurasian-watermilfoil).  We just received a summary of the early season EWM survey that Onterra did on Monday and Tuesday, June  22 & 23, 2026.  The results of last year's removal/control efforts look very encouraging.  In those areas where we used herbicides the milfoil is essentially gone.  We also saw good "year after treatment" results in those areas where we employed snorkelers and the DASH boat.  We have Aquatic Plant Management returning for a minimum of 8 days this summer to again use snorkelers and the DASH boat.  We are currently finalizing that plan based upon the most recent survey reports.  The SE Bay continues to be problematic and while we will be spending most of our time working there we will remove as much EWM from all areas as we possibly can.  Please study the maps above from the Fall of 2024, Fall of 2025, and this year's Spring survey.

We have been fighting a good fight for 25 years. We are staying ahead of the game, but the cost is constant vigilance........and $40,000 to $90,000 a year.

The milfoil isn't taking the summer off, and neither is the Forest Lake Preservation Foundation.  Last month they launched the annual fundraising campaign to support ongoing invasive species treatment and protection efforts on Forest Lake. If you happened to miss that first letter—or if it disappeared into a stack of summer mail—the Foundation wanted to take a moment to follow up and share an update on where things stand.  Tom Macak was up at the lake last weekend and he said Forest Lake is looking terrific. The water was as clear as he's seen it in his nearly 30 years on the lake. There were baby ducks cruising along the shoreline, loons making their familiar calls, eagles circling in the sky and enough fresh green growth to remind us that summer has officially arrived. It was one of those days when you find yourself thinking, "This is exactly why we love this place.” 

The good news is that the efforts of the FLA and FLPF are working.  Thanks to the generosity of lake residents and supporters over the past several years, significant progress has been made in controlling milfoil and other invasive species.  Last year's treatment program cost $80,000 and, while we are awaiting verification from our June milfoil report from Onterra, it appears last year’s treatment was especially successful. The condition of the lake today is a testament to what can happen when a community works together toward a common goal.

Our goal for this year's campaign is $50,000, and so far we've raised approximately $15,800 from 17 families. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed in the past and to those who have already donated this year.  As a guide, if each of the 80 lake residents could donate $625 we would reach our goal. If that’s too much, please do what you can.  If you can do more than $625 it would be greatly appreciated. If you haven't yet had a chance to participate, the FLPF hopes you'll consider making a contribution.  Every dollar helps protect the lake we all enjoy, preserve property values, and maintain the natural beauty that makes Forest Lake such a special place.  Thank you all!!