Eurasian Milfoil is the aquatic plant growing in Heartland Cove and many other shallow areas of Smithville Lake this summer. It's an exotic meaning it came from somewhere else and isn't native to this area - it's also invasive and usually considered a weed and problem plant in a lake.
I talked with a rep from the Missouri Department of Conservation - Friday. They're the main agency responsible for Lake ecology and habitat.
He agreed with my ID of the plant growning from the lake bottom to just below the surface on long fern-like strands as Eurasian Milfoil. From there we differed on about everything. Of course he's the pro on such matters and I just dink around on the internet.
I mentioned our interest in a particular area, Heartland Cove. That didn't elicit any show of recognition and I didn't go into it other than indicating I and others swim in the Cove. His take on Milfoil was that it's a good thing for the Lake. He said it'll die off in about three years and provides cover and better habitat for fish - particularly largemouth bass. The plant was not introduced in the lake - it is an invader - but there is no need to try any type of control as it's beneficial as habitat. His main point was that the size of the Lake meant Milfoil could never take over the main body of the lake - that's too deep and Milfoil thrives in the shallow water of a cove such as we use. Yes, it's messy for swimmers but since swimming is only permitted at the signed public beaches the inconvenience to swimmers in other places isn't an issue - that's my interpretation of their position anyway.
I also asked about the cattails and what I called water lilies - the floating plants on the north side of the Cove. They're really lotus plants. There too they weren't introducted by the Corps or Conservation Dept but they're also not a problem and create more habitat for fish - so no effort or move to eradicate those plants either There are some areas where they have introduced plants for habitat but not in Heartland Cove from what I gather.
Now - I have to defer to the rep from the MO DoC but I still think that 2 or 3 years down the road many other lake users will be complaining that they can't troll into the coves where they used to fish - it won't be complaints from our community but from the fishermen themselves that gets attention. And by then Milfoil will have firm grip on the shallows and I'd guess we read and hear more about it. I think we're simply the canaries in the mine - sounding an early warning of something others will be concerned about in a few years.
There are cycles to aquatic life in the Lake - I'm not sure why the guy I spoke with felt Milfoil would die off in three years but I hope he's right. A few years ago we had a one season occurrent of floating "jellyfish". They weren't really jelly fish - they were bryazoans - and were around only one summer.
See:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?forumid=143265&messageid=997285834
Maybe the life cycles of the Lake will also take care of Milfoil - we'll be among the first to know.
Do Google on "Eurasian Milfoil" for more info. Most references treat it as a problem plant and it seems to be particularly a problem in New England where there are many web references to Milfoil.
Here's a snippet from a New York State item on Milfoil:
http://www.nywea.org/clearwaters/pre02fall/311070.html
Habitat and distribution: Eurasian milfoil grows in fresh to brackish (slightly salty) waters and can be found in water up to 30 ft deep. Currently, it is found through the U.S., Europe, and Asia. In recent years, the presence of this exotic species has been confirmed in most counties in New York State, including 113 lakes. Since reproduction occurs by seed or fragmentation, it can by easily transported by people particularly by boats and trailers.
Importance: As with all other aquatic plants, Eurasian milfoil offers some benefits. It shelters aquatic insects, presents hiding and spawning areas for amphibians and fish, and provides some food for waterfowl. However, these short-term benefits lead to long-term problems. Thick growth affects fish and native plant growth, interfere with navigation and fishing, and causes an unattractive appearance on the water surface.
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One thing all references agree on - control is difficult and especially so in large lakes. Also Milfoil propagates by fragmentation so simply pulling it out by the roots actually spreads the plant unless you're sure you've removed all fragments of the uprooted plant - take it completely out of the water and again in a lake the size of Smithville Lake that's not practical. Guess best hope is that it limits itself by some means but that seems to be overly optimistic to me.
Dick Williams
Kansas City