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Milfoil Presence in Songo River and Brandy Pond is Greatly Lessened

August 21, 2007 - Naples -- Three years ago, milfoil on the upper Songo River could have filled three football fields.

But by the end of this summer, "I think it will be hard to see any patches at all," said Peter Lowell, executive director of the Lakes Environmental Association.

Where did all the milfoil go? Countless mesh bags filled with the invasive plants have been composted. Diverse tactics and a dedicated crew are helping LEA win the battle for the bottom of the Songo River.

In 2006, the "forest" of milfoil on the Songo was reduced to patches. This summer, the crew has worked hard to remove those patches and the spots where milfoil regenerated. By the time work ends in late August, Lowell expects only isolated plants will remain.

"This year has been the pinnacle of developing techniques and staff," Lowell said.

LEA, a nonprofit organization that protects water quality in the Lakes region, began work on the Songo in 2005, just as the infestation was reaching the "critical three acre threshold." If an infestation grows larger than three acres, it gets really hard to control, Lowell said.

Statewide, there's good news this summer -- so far no new infestations have been discovered. But invasive plants already have a foothold in 29 Maine lakes, including 26 with milfoil. Research has shown even a one inch fragment of milfoil, attached to a boat, trailer or other equipment, can start a new infestation. Another study estimated shorefront property values can drop 20 to 40% when milfoil is present in a lake. The plants can grow so densely that swimming and boating become difficult.

When LEA's Songo River Project started in 2005, milfoil already had a foothold in Brandy Pond. It was feared it would spread to Long Lake and beyond. LEA's original goals were to contain the Songo infestation, eradicate the plants in Brandy Pond and build a rapid response and prevention program to keep milfoil out of other lakes or detect them early enough to be able to control them. With staunch support from its 2000 members, a grant from the Libra foundation and financial support from Bill and Ann Harrison of Brandy Pond, the LEA is well on the way to reaching those goals.

Adam Perron of Bridgton is the leader of the 2007 milfoil crew. Working with him are Daniel Bishop of Denmark, and Thayer and Trevor McKeith of Sweden. They have to understand "a whole lot of disciplines," Lowell says, from diving to operating LEA's new suction harvester.

About 25 blue tarps, each 2,400 square feet, are now on the bottom of the Songo River, to block sunlight from reaching milfoil plants. The tarps have been effective in killing or reducing large areas of milfoil plants in spots without any trees or other debris. In areas where tarps can't be used, the LEA made great strides with the suction harvester.

This story originally appeared in the Bridgton News, August 16, 2007

Lakes: Brandy Pond
Regions: Sebago


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