Tri-Lakes Aquatic Plant Control Program
The primary objective of the Tri-Lakes improvement program is to control the spread of invasive, exotic plants. In managing aquatic plants, it is important to recognize that aquatic plants provide several valuable ecological functions. Maintaining a diversity of native plants is as important as controlling nuisance and exotic species. The Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society's plant reference chart is a great resource for identifying common native and invasive plant species.
Herbicide Treatments
2023
Treatment Date: August 3
Please note that irrigation and swimming restrictions are only in effect within 100 feet of the yellow hatched areas in Lake Mecosta.
Treatment Date: June 28
Treatment Date: June 7
Exotic plant species that are potentially a threat to the Tri-Lakes include Eurasian milfoil, starry stonewort, and curly-leaf pondweed. Early detection and rapid response are key to effective control of invasive aquatic plant species. Each year, biologists from Progressive AE conduct multiple surveys of the lakes to identify exotic plant locations and targeted herbicide treatments are carried out to control nuisance plant growth. The herbicide treatments require a permit from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
Past Herbicide Treatments
Eurasian milfoil
Starry stonewort
Curly-leaf pondweed