A memo from Dennis Fagan:

The rake toss data (see attached) was developed by Bob Johnson.  I have summarized this data and compared it with previous plant study reports.  I caution that my data analysis may vary slightly from Bob's 2009 report which has not yet been completed, however the overall positive impact of Eurasian water milfoil (EWM) control on both lakes is very clear.

LAMOKA LAKE ANALYSIS
Please refer to the summary sheet of historical rake toss data.  In 2009, the total and native plant species were slightly less than 2008, but consistent with the past three sampling years.

In regards to frequency of occurrence, 2009 had the largest numbers for both all species and native plants with no EWM being found.  Native plants were found in 98% of the littoral zone sampling sites.

Although biomass data has not yet been compiled, there has been a notable reduction in biomass in 2009 particularly in Mill Pond.  2009 rake toss densities were much less (more trace and sparse samples, less moderate and dense samples) when compared to 2008 and 2006.  For example in 2009, Mill Pond (sample sites 251 through 311) had 16 moderate and 3 dense samples.  In 2006, this same area had 44 moderate and 57 dense samples.  The 2009 sampling of Lamoka Lake itself (sites 1 thru 226) showed 64 moderate and 22 dense rake toss samples compared to 77 moderate and 45 dense samples in 2006.

The plant diversity in Lamoka Lake is excellent.  Based on frequency of occurrence, the top six plants are Coontail (13.1%), Robbins pondweed (10.1%), Elodea (9.3%), Small duckweed (7.7%), Curly leaf pondweed (7.3%) and Southern Naiad (6.4%).

WANETA LAKE ANALYSIS
Please refer to the summary sheet of rake toss data.  It appears that between the 2003 treatment of Waneta Lake with Sonar and the 2008/2009 Renovate treatment, native plant growth has gone from one extreme (minimal NSAV from 2003-2006) to the other extreme of, in some areas, nuisance plant growth in 2008 and particularly 2009.

Again the major objective of the 2008/2009 Renovate treatment program has been accomplished with no EWM found in 2009.  The 2009 native plant frequency was 260% greater than the 2000 pre-treatment condition and nearly six times greater than the 2004/2005 conditions.  In 2009, native plants were found in 100% of the littoral zone monitoring sites. 

From a biomass or plant density analysis, 2009 represented a major increase in plant growth with moderate rake tosses increasing 3.8 times and 13% compared to 2006 and 2008 respectively while dense rake tosses in 2009 increased 64.5 times and 3.4 times compared to 2006 and 2008 respectively.

The plant diversity in Waneta Lake is not as good as Lamoka.  Visual observations indicate that biomass is being dominated by two plants, namely Southern naiad and Elodea.  Based on frequency of occurrence, the major plants are Southern naiad (25.1%), Elodea (23.8%), Coontail (17.4%), Curly leaf pondweed (10.3%) and water celery (6.9%).

CONCULUSIONS
The 2008/2009 Renovate treatment program for Lamoka and Waneta Lakes was a huge success with no EWM found in either lake in 2009.  Although native plant growth reached nuisance conditions in Waneta Lake for some property owners, this extensive plant growth should help reduce the future EWM re-infestation potential.

Based on the 2009 rake toss findings, it is recommended that no herbicide treatments be planned for either lake in 2010.