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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSE83-2142 Perera Pond 2018 YER590 LAKE STREET SHREWSBURY, MA 01545 | 888.480.LAKE (5253) | SOLITUDELAKEMANAGEMENT.COM 2018 Annual Summary Report Aquatic Management Program Perera Pond Yarmouthport, MA Report Prepared by: SŌLitude Lake Management 590 Lake Street Shrewsbury, MA 01545 Report Prepared for: Town of Yarmouth Attn: Kelly Grant 1146 Route 28 South Yarmouth, MA 02664 kgrant@yarmouth.ma.us (508) 398-2231 SŌLitude Lake Management was contracted in 2018 to conduct an aquatic vegetation management program at Perera Pond. The 2018 program focused on the control of problematic pondweeds including thin-leaf pondweed (Potomogeton pusillus), waterweed (Elodea canadensis), along with invasive Common reed (Phragmites australis) and nuisance algae. The management program was comprised of two herbicide treatments with the USEPA/MA DEP registered aquatic herbicides Reward (active ingredient diquat), Clipper (flumioxazin) and AquaPro (glyphosate) along with a copper-based algaecide Captain XTR. An outline of the 2018 program along with our recommendations for ongoing management follow. 2018 PROGRAM TASK CHRONOLOGY Project Task Date Performed File MA DEP pesticide use permit July 12th Received approved MA DEP permit July 18th Performed pre-treatment vegetation survey July 31st Conducted initial herbicide/algaecide treatment with Reward/Clipper and Captain XTR July 31st Conducted phragmites herbicide treatment with AquaPro October 4th Post-treatment inspection-installation of aerator diffuser October 4th PRE-TREATMENT VEGETATION SURVEY On July 31st, 2018 a SLM Biologist performed a pre-treatment vegetation survey of Perera Pond. The intent of this visual inspection of the dominant vegetation growth was to document pre-treatment plant growth conditions in order to have a baseline in which to evaluate the efficacy of the herbicide treatment, gauge non-target impacts, if any, and assess future management needs and/or necessary program modifications. This survey was conducted by traveling throughout the pond with a small boat or canoe to record visual observations of the plant growth. In 2 addition to the recorded visual observations, random vegetation samples were collected throughout the pond to confirm plant species composition and visual surface observations. A list of the dominant plant species along with a general description of the observed distribution and abundance is provided below. Dominant Plants General Description  Thin-leaf pondweed (Potomogeton pusillus) Common - scattered patches throughout pond  Waterweed (Elodea canadensis)  Duckweed (Lemna minor) Common– scattered patches throughout pond Sparse – scattered low density along northern shore  Common reed (Phragmites australis) Common – several scattered patches along shoreline HERBICIDE/ALGAECIDE TREATMENT PROGRAM SUMMARY Following the receipt of an approved MA DEP permit, the initial herbicide/algaecide treatment was performed on July 31st to control identified areas of problematic pondweed and algae growth using Reward (active ingredient Diquat), Clipper (flumioxazin) and Captain XTR (active ingredient Copper). The treatment was conducted by diluting the liquid herbicide/algaecide concentrates with lake water on board the treatment vessel. The herbicide/algaecide dilution was then sprayed over the water surface using a small gasoline pump spraying system. Even application of the herbicide was achieved through the use of GPS and a calibrated chemical pumping system. In addition to the Reward/Clipper and Captain XTR herbicide/algaecide treatment, the systemic herbicide AquaPro was used on October 4th to control invasive phragmites growth observed along the eastern, western and northern shoreline of the pond. Herbicide/Algaecide Applied Application Date Application Rate Acreage Treated Reward July 31st 1.5-2.0 gals/acre ~ .25 acre Clipper July 31st 1.2 lbs/acre ~ .1 acre Captain XTR July 31st .6 gal/acre ft ~ .25 acre AquaPro October 4th .75 gals/acre ~ .1 acre POST TREATMENT SURVEY AND 2019 MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS A SLM Biologist revisited Perera Pond on October 4th to determine treatment efficacy, and potential impacts if any on non-target species along with future management recommendations. No submersed plants were observed at the time of the survey, and problematic algae was also greatly reduced. The 2018 treatment program worked well to control problematic pondweed and algae growth during the summer season, however the herbicides permitted for submersed use at Perera Pond provide seasonal control for target species, therefore moderate regrowth of pondweeds should be expected to reoccur in 2019, along with invasive phragmites. We therefore, feel that a continued plant and algae management strategy is required to maintain and further improve conditions in 2019. The recommendations for continued management are outlined below.  Continue to monitor and chemically treat nuisance and invasive vegetation along with algae using similar methodology and combination of herbicides as previous year. This approach has provided good control and remains the best approach for Perera Pond. We feel that the proposed program is necessary for the long-term maintenance of Perera Pond’s recreational and ecological value. We appreciate your business over the years and look forward to working with you again in 2019. If you have any questions about the 2018 program or our 2019 management recommendations, please do not hesitate to contact our office.