6892-R3_ML&P_LSLA_2019_WinterNewsletter

some areas were found to be just native plants growing quickly and taking over certain areas. This year other lakes also experienced the same kind of increased growth of native plants. Sometimes this is cyclical and growth should not be so prevalent the next year. Keeping native plants is encouraged in order to discourage invasive milfoil from growing in that area. In other reported areas we removed the milfoil and documented to return next year. In mid-August the conditions changed. With the drop of the lake level and warm sunny days some areas rebounded. This year rebound means occasionally taking 6-9 onion bags at certain areas. This is a drastic reduction from past years when it was 20 bags. The diver in some area was amazed how large the root growth was from plants that were not there weeks ago. It is believed that in these areas the bottom of the lake was nutrient filled and caused the dramatic growth. In September we circled the lake one more time trying to hit all spots before ending the season. We are in the midst of finding a better mapping system and applying for a grant to have a vegetative survey to show the differences with the prior surveys in 2003/2005 and to check more areas of the lake that we have not visited for possible

other milfoil beds. This is why it is important for everyone to become educated on what to look for and remember to look at the lakes bottom as well as the shoreline views. We have an experienced dedicated team who has been with us for years. This helps with the consistency of the program, familiarity of where to go on the lake and our diver knows the bottom of the lake like no other. UP FOR A REWARDING CHALLENGE? In order to keep the milfoil program’s operation functioning for years to come, we are looking for a back-up diver. It would be wonderful to have someone on the lake or close to Little Sebago who has a passion for the lake. The task is not easy but is rewarding. It requires training in the spring, strength to pull the roots from the bottom and feed into a suction hose, ability to acclimate in low water visibility and is weather dependent. Contact pwilkinson@littlesebagolake.com if interested or for more information. Your Milfoil Militia Team, Pam Wilkinson and Tim Greer

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