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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022YER Perera Pond.docx2022 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 Mr. Ronald Perera Owner of Perera Pond rperera@comcast.net SŌLitude Lake Management was contracted in 2019 to conduct an aquatic vegetation management program at Perera Pond.The 2022 program focused on the control of problematic pondweeds including thin-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton pusillus),waterweed (Elodea canadensis),along with invasive Common reed (Phragmites australis), Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica)and nuisance algae.The management program consisted of three herbicide treatments with the USEPA/MA DEP registered aquatic herbicides Tribune (active ingredient diquat)and AquaPro (glyphosate)along with a copper-based algaecide Captain XTR.An outline of the 2022 program along with our recommendations for ongoing management follows. 2022 PROGRAM TASK CHRONOLOGY Project Task Date Performed File MA DEP pesticide use permit July 11th Received approved MA DEP permit July 15th Conducted initial herbicide/algaecide treatment with Tribune and Captain XTR July 27th Conducted follow-up algaecide treatment with Captain XTR August 22nd Concluded phragmites/Japanese knotweed herbicide treatment with AquaNeat October 10th PRE-TREATMENT VEGETATION SURVEY Due to issues obtaining the permit,SOLitude began making bimonthly visits to Perera Pond in July.During these visits, vegetation distribution was surveyed as well as other factors regarding the pond’s health.The frequent surveys allowed for us to have a baseline in which to evaluate the efficacy of the treatments,time treatments,gauge non-target impacts,if any,and assess future management needs and/or necessary program modifications.The surveys were conducted by walking around the pond on foot recording visual observations,and taking vegetation samples using a throw rake to confirm visual observations. Dominant Plants General Description ▪Thin-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton 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) ▪Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) Common – several scattered patches along shoreline Sparse – Two patches along the beach shoreline HERBICIDE/ALGAECIDE TREATMENT PROGRAM SUMMARY Following the receipt of an approved MA DEP permit,the initial herbicide/algaecide treatment was performed on July 27th to control identified areas of problematic pondweed and algae growth using 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 a calibrated chemical pumping system.A follow-up treatment was conducted on August 10th and again utilized Captain XTR in order to treat microalgae growth. In addition to the Captain XTR herbicide/algaecide treatment,the systemic herbicide AquaNeat was used on October 10th to control invasive phragmites and Japanese knotweed growth observed along the eastern,western and northern shoreline of the pond. Herbicide/Algaecide Applied Application Date Application Rate Acreage Treated Captain XTR July 27th .6 gal/acre ft ~ .25 acre Captain XTR August 22nd .6 gal/acre ft ~ .25 acre AquaNeat October 10th .75 gals/acre ~ .1 acre 2023 MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS The 2022 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 recur in 2023,along with minimal invasive phragmites.We therefore feel that a continued monthly plant and algae management strategy is required to maintain and further improve conditions in 2023. The recommendations for continued management are outlined below. ▪Continue to monitor on a monthly basis and chemically treat nuisance and invasive vegetation along with algae using similar methodology and combination of herbicides as previous year,as needed.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 2023.If you have any questions about the 2022 program or our 2023 management recommendations,please do not hesitate to contact our office directly. 2