Our project:  Individual residences were assessed $85/year each year for a five (5) year period (2003 through 2007) for aquatic weed management in the lake.  The three (3) commercial properties on the lake were assessed a larger dollar amount in accordance with a formula established by Genoa Township.  Progressive Engineering, a lake management company out of Grand Rapids MI, was hired to oversee the project.  Progressive Engineering contracted with Aqua-Weed Control, Inc. to do the herbicide treatments.  Progressive Engineering developed a Five Year Lake Management Plan for the  project in 2003 and that plan was submitted to and approved by the MDEQ .  During the 2003 spring/summer , Lake Chemung elected to use Fluridone to eradicate Eurasian Milfoil--the nuisance species that was predominant in the lake.   The LCRA applied for and received the permits necessary to do the Year 2003 treatments.  The first treatment was applied on  May 6, 2003.  After a series of tests over a specified period of time, a follow-up treatment was applied.  In addition, a limited copper sulfate treatment was applied to the lake in July 2003 to control nuisance algae.   The fluridone treatment successfully eradicated Eurasian Watermilfoil in the lake and the copper sulfate treatments reduced the density of the nuisance algae (chara).

In Years 2004 -2006, the lake was spot treated with Aquathol-K, Reward, and copper sulfate to eradicate returning patches of Eurasian Watermilfoil and to control nuisance algae (chara) and various pondweeds.  Several chemical treatments were performed and the density of the nuisance weeds was satisfactorily diminished.  A lake survey was performed  several times each summer to evaluate the amount, type, and diversity of aquatic weeds in the lake.  A healthy growth of good native vegetation was present in the lake.  These results suggest that the chemical treatments are successfully controlling nuisance weeds in the lake without adversely impacting the lake's native vegetation growth. 

During Year 2005, the lake implemented a weed harvesting program that was done in addition to chemical treatments.  The Lake contracted with Midwest Marine Services, Inc. to do the harvesting work.  In addition, the Association's lake manager investigated  certain surface water runoff areas to evaluate if the runoff was adversely impacting the lake.  Click Here for the report findings. 

In February 2007, the LCRA requested Genoa Township to consider adopting a resolution to extend the Aquatic Weed Management SAD for another 5 year period (2008-2013).  The township approved that resolution and held the first of two required public hearings on April 2, 2007.  A second public hearing, as required by law, has been scheduled for the first Monday in May (2007).  If the SAD extension is approved, it is anticipated that the residential properties in the SAD will be billed approximately $70.00/year  for each year of the new five year period  and the commercial properties will pay a larger fee based upon the total acreage of their property and the front footage that they have on the lake.

Year 2008:  ProgressiveAE developed a 3-year lake management plan as part of Lake Chemung's 2008 DEQ permit to treat the lake.  The lake received their Year 2008 permit to apply herbicides in the lake  in April 2008.  Sonar (Fluridone) was applied in the lake on April 29, 2008 and a secondary treatment to bump up the concentration was applied on May 19, 2008.

We thank everyone who supported and helped to create Lake Chemung's aquatic weed management program!  We welcome your feedback on success/failure of the program.