This
year milfoil is making an even larger pest of itself by showing up early.
This
year milfoil is making an even larger pest of itself by showing up early.
Growing like the nasty, fun spoiling water weed it is, milfoil is ahead of its usual pesky pace on several Metro lakes, including Lake Calhoun.
"We’re probably a month earlier. Usually you can swim early on, then about the middle of July you need to get it pulled out," said Rhonda Shumer, who has lived on the lake for more than 15 years.
The dry spring cut down on run off, keeping lake water clear. But all the extra sunshine has been good news for milfoil.
"We’re definitely up call volume this year from people who have not used us before," said Tom Suertha of Waterfront Restoration. "It’s not good for homeowners, but we're busy because it's reaching the surface faster."
Divers with Suertha’s company pull the weed the same way you would in your lawn. Milfoil can grow one to two inches a day.
Officials have been testing a program to prevent milfoil on Gray’s Bay in Lake Minnetonka. After two years of the treatment, they say they’ve eliminated all signs of the water plant.