Eurasian Watermilfoil Management at Beaver Lake
Beaver Lake Eurasian Watermilfoil Monitoring and Control
Eurasian Watermilfoil Found in Beaver Lake
In October 2011, Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) was discovered near the boat ramp on Beaver Lake in Whitefish, Montana. An Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) response team—of which the Whitefish Lake Institute (WLI) was a member—responded to the discovery for further investigation. Bottom barriers were placed over the identified patch and a control/eradication plan was developed by a multiple agency workgroup in which the City of Whitefish and WLI participated.
Why We’re Concerned
Whitefish has prioritized this effort due to the proximity of Beaver Lake to Whitefish Lake, including hydrologic connectivity. If left untreated, EWM forms dense mats of vegetation on the surface of the water that can interfere with recreational activities such as fishing, swimming, and boating, and that threatens the health of the water body. The resulting effect can be the loss of recreational use, decline in ecosystem health, and a decrease in lakefront property values. EWM reproduces successfully and very rapidly, making it a threat to any water body it invades.
Ongoing Efforts
Since 2012, WLI and the City of Whitefish have taken the lead in addressing the EWM issue at Beaver Lake. As part of the Whitefish AIS Management Plan, WLI coordinated a suction dredging operation to eradicate plants. Suction dredging involves a diver identification survey of single plants or plant communities and then suction dredging the plants from the roots to prevent fragmentation. In 2012, 23.5 pounds of EWM was removed. The program proved successful with fewer plants found each year. In 2018, diver surveys found no EWM in Beaver Lake indicating that EWM management efforts in Beaver Lake had been highly effective.
Unfortunately, in June 2019, EWM plants were again found near the boat ramp by a Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) survey crew, and FWP assumed management of the Beaver Lake EWM issue with support of WLI staff. FWP divers found a small number of EWM plants and utilized a WLI suction dredger to remove them. After suction dredging, FWP also installed bottom barriers supplied by WLI near the boat ramp. WLI continues to maintain a sediment curtain near the lake outlet to Beaver Creek to eliminate the potential for downstream drift of plant fragments to Beaver Creek and Whitefish Lake. WLI also conducts an annual AIS presence/absence survey on Whitefish Lake. No EWM or other invasive plant species have been found in Whitefish Lake. Because of the real threat to Whitefish Lake and the watershed, WLI and FWP will partner into the future to manage eradication efforts.
EWM Media Coverage
Media Coverage of Eurasian Watermilfoil Discovery in Beaver Lake
Media Releases
10/25/11
Flathead AIS Group Reports Eurasian Watermilfoil Found in Beaver Lake, Montana
10/27/11
Flathead AIS Workgroup Asks Recreationists to Help Stop the Spread of Eurasian Watermilfoil
Media Coverage
6/29/20 – Whitefish Pilot
Efforts to fight invasive species in Beaver Lake continue
3/27/19 – Whitefish Pilot
Beaver Lake success story for invasive species removal
1/4/17 – Whitefish Pilot
Invasive species growing concern for Whitefish Lake
10/26/11 – Whitefish Pilot
Invasive Aquatic Species Found in Beaver Lake
10/27/11 – Daily Inter Lake
Diver will pull weeds in Beaver Lake
10/31/11 – NBC Montana
Invasive Weed Hits Lake In Whitefish
10/31/11 – KAJ News
Invasive aquatic weed to be pulled from Montana lake
11/21/11 – Whitefish Pilot
Beaver Lake users urged to clean boats
11/5/11 – Flathead Beacon
Eurasian Watermilfoil Makes an Unwelcome Arrival in the Flathead
11/7/11 – Daily Inter Lake
Some milfoil removed from Beaver Lake
11/9/11 – Daily Inter Lake
Boat ramp at lake with milfoil to remain closed