Q.  What about swimming after an application?  Can we eat the fish?  What if my cat or dog drinks treated water?  etc . . .  

A.  "Click on" Aquatic Safety Sheet  for answers to these types of questions.

Funding for Aquatic Plant Management Activities

Q:  How are projects generally funded ?

A:  Almost all programs are funded by their own program participants.  Our company works with groups to help guide them in forming lake improvement boards, township boards, or even organizing lake associations from small riparian groups.

-  PUBLIC ACT 451 (Lake Improvement Board Act) is one option, requiring certain activities be performed prior to the start of lake management activities.    More Information

-  PUBLIC ACT 188 (Township Board Act) is a popular choice for townships to sponsor, set a special assessment district, and collect program funds.  More Information

-  LAKE ASSOCIATIONS, PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION, ETC.
Many lake groups self-fund their own programs through their lake association special collections, specifically for management activities.  Individual  Permission Slips are necessary and available.

-  INDIVIDUAL OR SMALL GROUPS OF  HOMEOWNERS can contract with us to perform aquatic plant management services on a waterbody.  Individual Permission Slips are necessary and available.

Q:  I've heard that you need information regarding my drinking water well.  Why do you need it?

A:  Based on the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) rules, we only need to collect information on well depths and their proximity to the nearest waterbody's shoreline when proposing to use 2,4-D or endothall based granular herbicides.  We provide a Well Reply Slip Form for residents in areas where these products may be proposed for use.  In some circumstances, other products are used instead, based on information received from the residents.  We will not use these products in these areas if we do not have your well information.  We encourage everyone asked to return their well reply slip in a timely manor so treatment products choices can be made.

Q.  When proposing to use Granular 2,4-D, (NAVIGATE), why does your yellow poster indicate "INDEFINITE" in the box instead of a date when we can irrigate? 

A.  This term was chosen by the MDEQ to be used on signs as an alternative to a specific time frame.  Although using water that has been treated using Navigate to irrigate certain grasses (lawns/turf), it would have an effect of some ornamentals, garden plants, and other broad leafed species.  A definite irrigation timetable can be determined with the analysis of an aproved assay (water test) taken from the treatment area(s).  For more information on this product's water-use restrictions, go to the Navigate Fact Sheet. 

Q.  When will I see results after the treatment?

A.  Usually, plants begin to show signs of weakness or die within 2 weeks.  Signs include discoloration, elongation or wilting.  Filamentous algae often turns pale yellow or whitish within 3 to 4 days.  Planktonic Algae disappears in 24 to 48 hourse.  Dead plants with tough stems and sturdy root systems may remain standing until wind or waves break them up.

Q.  What happens to the dead plant material after the treatment?

A.  Decaying plants and algae usually sink to the bottom after they die.  Occasionally, plants with weak stems may break loose and float temporarily.  Microscopic organisms in the water break down (decompose) plant materials leaving a fine residue of silt that settles to the bottom.

Q.  Will my water quality change after the treatment?

A.  When large masses of vegetation decay, recycling of the plant materials occur.  Some nutrients end up in sediment while others enter the water column.  Some temporary decrease in dissolved oxygen levels may occur.

Q.  How long will control last?

A.  Many weed species can be controlled for an entire season with a properly timed, single treatment.  Herbicides do not kill seeds, and some do not get into root systems.  This can result in a re-growth of plants requiring touch-up later in the season.  Algae will generally require 3 to 6 weeks apart during the season because of their ability to reproduce rapidly.

Q.  Will I have fewer plants next year?

A.  Once well established, nuisance plants will typically continue to be a problem each year.  Some reduction in weed beds may occur the following year if treatments were made before seed production.  Changes in dominant species or plant abundance is more likely to occur due to environmental factors such as water clarity, nutrient concentrations and weather factors.  Different herbicides may be required.

Q.  Do resistant plants establish themselves?

A.  There is some evidence that treating too often, year after year with the same chemicals, may result in the establishment of an unaffected species.  This may require changing chemicals, dosage rates, using a combination of chemicals, or employing a combination of techniques (aeration, nutrient deactivation, dilution, etc.).

Q.  I see phragmites beginning to take over shoreline areas around my pond and lake front property.  What process is in place to deal with it?

A.  " Click on" Chemical Treatment of Phragmites

Q.  Are water gardens a mosquito breeding ground?

A.  No, mosquitoes breed only in stagnant water.  Installing a skimmer and Biofalls elminates stagnant water.  The skimmer draws in the mosquito larvae from the surface of the water, drowning them.

Q.  Why should rocks and gravel be set throughout the pond?

A.  Stones and gravel decrease maintenance, extend the life of the liner, stabilize the ponds walls, provide ballast against hydrostatic pressure, and looks more natural than a naked liner.

Q.  How high should the waterfall be?

A.  Waterfall height will be determined by the elevation of the property on which the pond is installed.  The waterfall should look as natural as possible.  Waterfalls on flatland should only be about 2 ft. high.  Higher waterfalls can be built on existing slopes, but make sure the pump can handle the extra height. 

Q.  How many fish can I put in my pond?

A.  Try to restrict fish quantities to a miximum on one 5 inch fish for every 5 square feet of surface area.  (A 10 ft. x 10 ft. pond, for example could support 20 five-inch fish or 10 ten-inch fish).

Q.  At what temperature should I stop feeding my fish?

A.  Once the water temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, stop feeding your fish.  During this time of year your fish will become dormant.  Their respiration, metabolism, and overall activity slows down as they prepare for their winter hibernation.  Feeding your fish this time of year can cause your fish to become sick and or even die.

Q.  Will raccoons eat my fish?

A.  As long as your pond is at least two feet deep and eight feet wide with hiding places for the fish, they should be safe from raccoons.

Q.  Why should I put plants in my pond?

A.  They take up nutrients in water that would otherwise be taken up by algae.  Plants create an area for the fish to hide, cover surface area, provide food for fish, oxygenate the water, and soften the look of the rocks.

Q.  How do you determine the approximate gallons of water in a pond?

A.  Gallons = length (ft.) x width (ft.) x average depth (ft.) x 7.48