The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the draft strategy of management goals and recommended control for Eurasian watermilfoil and Fragrant Water Lily. The proposed plan involves cutting/raking of the vegetation, burlap barriers along the bottom of the lakeshore, and small amounts of aquatic herbicide applied to 25% of the lake May through July 2019. Community input is welcome.
In recent years, Lake Ballinger residents and users have reported that they can no longer enjoy activities such as boating, kayaking, canoeing, swimming and fishing due to the thick aquatic plant beds that cover most of the nearshore area of the lake. The overly dense aquatic plant growth also greatly impairs habitat and water quality for fish and other aquatic species. An aquatic plant survey completed in June 2018 found that the non-native invasive species Eurasian watermilfoil (a Class B noxious weed in Snohomish County) and Fragrant Water Lily (a Class C noxious weed in Washington State) dominate the aquatic vegetation community in Lake Ballinger. The dense stands of non-native invasive plants are shading out the native aquatic plant species.
In order to address the issue, a steering committee of residents has established management goals and recommended a control strategy for the invasive aquatic vegetation. Community input will be integrated into the final plan.
More information on the Lake Ballinger/McAleer Creek Watershed Forum is available online at www.cityofmlt.com/488/. Questions? Please contact Laura Reed, Stormwater Program Manager at lreed@ci.mlt.wa.us or (425) 744-6226.