Update: The community purchased sterile carp to rectify our hydrilla issue and introduced them to the lake in April of 2009.
The text below explains what hydrilla is and what our options were.
Hydrilla, a non-native, invasive, noxious aquatic weed, exists in most southern Delaware ponds, in the Delaware portion of the Nanticoke River, in Virginia and Maryland freshwater tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, and several sites in eastern Pennsylvania. Hydrilla out-competes native submerged aquatic vegetation and can quickly fill a pond or lake, thus choking off the water body for boating, fishing, swimming and other recreational uses.
Based on an evaluation of the lake by Restoration Ecological Services (RES) of Easton, MD. and JCM Environmental of Georgetown, hydrilla, is prevalent in Willow Lake. If you walk the shoreline of the lake or use a boat in the lake, the hydrilla can be seen just below the surface in most areas. Our resident geese feed on the hydrilla and their droppings provide a means for the hydrilla to spread.
If left untreated, hydrilla will transform Willow Lake into an unusable eyesore.
There are two primary means of fighting hydrilla; chemical treatments or the introduction of sterile carp that feed on the hydrilla and other vegetation. Both are expensive. The most effective chemical is a granular product called Sonar. The cost of the initial treatment of Willow Lake with Sonar is $5,700. Additional treatments will most likely be required.
For sterile carp to be effective fifteen fish per acre are necessary. Willow Lake is approximately 44 acres and the cost of the required number of carp is estimated at $8,000 to $9,000. It could take up to two years for the carp to have an impact on the hydrilla; however, the carp have a life expectancy of 20 years.
Based on what we know at this point, the members of the Lake Committee and the board believe that the introduction of the sterile carp to Willow Lake is the most effective way to deal with the problem. Because Willow Lake is privately owned, DNREC cannot provide any funding but DNREC has used sterile carp to control hydrilla in a number of ponds and lakes including Ingram Pond.
The board will include a $9,000 line item in the 2009 budget for the purchase of sterile carp for the control of hydrilla. However, prior to any purchase, we must obtain a permit from DNREC. In addition, before any final determination on the treatment method is made, the board will endeavor to learn as much as possible from DNREC’s past experience with using carp as a means to control hydrilla.
How does the community pay for the money being budgeted for hydrilla treatment?
The community has sufficient funds on hand to pay for the introduction of sterile carp into Willow Lake and to meet most other contingencies that may develop. In order maintain and continue to build that contingency fund for expensive future projects including road resurfacing, this years assessment will be increased to $350.00 and it is likely that assessments will be increased an additional $25.00 a year in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
The board feels strongly that the hydrilla must be treated soon and in the most ecologically friendly and cost effective manner. We highly recommend that the members vote in favor of the proposed budget so that process can begin.