Aquatic Invasive Species Management

The Lake Washington Improvement Association’s goal is to manage Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) and Curly Leaf Pond Weed (CLPW) to minimize its impact on recreation, while encouraging the development and growth of natural vegetation. We also implement actions to reduce or eliminate the spread of AIS both into and out of Lake Washington. In addition, we work with the DNR and the University of Minnesota to track the spread of Zebra Mussels in Lake Washington.

Our Plan

Strategies to Support our Goal

Develop and monitor management plan for invasive species to identify needs, determine treatment options, and provide treatment.
Continue conducting lake vegetation surveys to establish a picture of what the lakes vegetation looks like on a year to year basis.
Continue partnerships with local and state units to work together providing information, expertise, support, and knowledge about needs and updated technologies, treatment and management options.

Annually seek (financial and professional) support from all state and local agencies that are stakeholders in our management plan.
Seek permits and grants as required from local and state agencies for EWM and CLPW treatment and management strategies for zebra mussels and use settlement plates to monitor and record their spread.
Install, maintain and monitor a self-contained video inspection system at Ellsworth landing to capture boat launches and provide an audio message to remind boaters to clean and inspect their watercraft.

Zebra Mussels

Zebra mussels are spreading to lakes and rivers in the Midwest. These small invasive mussels attach to hard surfaces in lakes and rivers killing native mussels, limiting recreational activities, clogging water supply pipes, and competing with larval fish for food. In Minnesota, zebra mussels have been found in the Mississippi River, the St. Louis River, Lake Superior, and Lake Zumbro, the first inland lake with zebra mussels in the state.

Gary Montz, zebra mussel coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, asks for your help in monitoring for zebra mussels. Visually inspect hard surfaces for zebra mussels when you take your docks and watercraft out this fall.

These surfaces include docks, boatlifts, dock floats and supports, swimming platforms, boats, motors, anchors, and any objects that have been in the lake or river for the summer.

Check areas that zebra mussels are especially attracted to like trim tabs, rubber gaskets, grooves along the keel of pontoon boats, and sailboat centerboards. During early infestations, zebra mussels are likely to be small (1/4-1/2 inch long) and the number attached on any object is likely to be low. You can also examine rocks and other hard surfaces along the shoreline and in shallow water, especially near water accesses. If you suspect zebra mussels in your lake or previously uninfested section of river, immediately contact the MN DNR at (651) 296-2835. Preserve a few zebra mussels in rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol and mail them to:

Gary Montz
MN DNR, Division of Ecological Services Box 25
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155

Zebra Mussel Hotels

Zebra Mussel Hotels are used to monitor the zebra mussel population on the lake. These hotels allowed us to have a consistent way to measure the quantity of zebra mussels and location on the lake.