White Ash Lakes Aquatic Plant Management (APM) Planning Project
The White Ash Lakes Protection and Rehabilitation District has been actively managing aquatic plants in White Ash and North White Ash Lakes in Polk County, WI since 1976. In 1980, a WI DNR Lake Study indicated that dense aquatic plant growth in both lakes was interfering with use of the lakes. Results of this study and feedback from the Lake District concluded that large-scale plant harvesting was the best option to pursue for continued control and management of curly-leaf pondweed (CLP) and other aquatic plants at this time. Plant harvesting services were contracted until in 1985 a “weed harvester” was purchased by the Lake District and harvesting became a routine occurrence in the lakes. In 1998, the current APM Plan was completed and approved by the WDNR and a new harvester was purchased.
The 1998 plan focuses heavily on routine management (harvesting) designed to open up the lakes for navigation and recreational purposes including fishing, swimming, and boating. To date, that plan has been successfully implemented by the Lake District and goals stated in it for the most part met. Even so, the Lake District recognizes that any APM Plan is not intended to be an everlasting document. In the ten years plus since the 1998 plan was approved and implemented more knowledge has been gained in treating aquatic plants both native and non-native. The Lake District wishes to make sure that the current management activities are still the best fit for the lakes and ecologically sound. In 2010, a new APM Plan will be written. Sound lake science, public input, and Wisconsin plant management requirements will be used to complete this plan.
Public Project Documents:
White Ash Lakes APM Plan — 3.74 MBAppendix A - White Ash Lakes Paleocore Report — 109.13 KBAppendix B - EWM Rapid Response Plan — 17.8 KBAppendix D - Property Owners Survey Report — 64.29 KBAppendix E - WDNR NOR APM Strategy — 58.75 KB