Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Expands War on Invasive Species

With ice now officially out on Lake Minnetonka, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) is preparing for the fishing opener and is working to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in area lakes and streams this season. 

Early detection of potential new infestations is a key element of the district’s AIS prevention and management program for 2013. As part of that work, it’s broadening its monitoring of district lakes that are not yet infested with zebra mussels. Spotting an AIS infestation early increases the ability to contain it and prevent it from disrupting an entire water body’s ecosystem.

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Among the plans for this season are installing zebra mussel monitoring devices in many lakes within the district, conducting shoreline searches and snorkeling in deeper areas of high use, high risk lakes. The MCWD also is providing grant funding to other local government units for watercraft inspectors and contracting with Three Rivers Park District and Carver County to provide roaming inspectors at their respective public launches that would otherwise not be staffed.

“By working with our communities and providing them the resources they need, we can improve the effectiveness of our AIS prevention efforts,” MCWD AIS Program Director Craig Dawson said. “It will take a collective effort to protect our lakes and streams from this very serious water quality threat.”            

Another highlight of the MCWD’s 2013 AIS prevention and management program is a proof of inspection pilot program it has developed in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Under the program, all boats that are inspected upon leaving water bodies in the District can receive a proof of inspection that is designed to expedite the inspection process at the next water body in the District. 

Inspectors will document the number of boaters who arrive at a launch with a proof of inspection and whether it speeds up the inspection process. At the end of the season the program will be evaluated to help determine if it should be continued.   

The MCWD’s AIS research efforts in 2013 include the third year of monitoring the distribution of zebra mussels in Lake Minnetonka and the continuation of a study of how weevils (a native beetle) may be used to control Eurasian water milfoil.

The MCWD is also enlisting the help of volunteers to keep a watchful eye for new AIS infestations. A training session for residents interested in participating in the District’s volunteer monitoring program will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, at Eisenhower Community Center in Hopkins. To RSVP for the volunteer monitoring program training session contact MCWD AIS Specialist Eric Fieldseth at efieldseth@minnehahacreek.org or952-471-7873.

The MCWD’s 2013 AIS prevention and management plan was developed after receiving public comment and significant input from the District’s AIS Task Force—a coalition of community leaders, including business owners, angler groups, parks officials and lake associations—and a Technical Advisory Committee that includes the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, county and park district staff and University of Minnesota staff.