Milfoil - the aquatic weed that's chocking Heartland Cove is an even worse problem in New England and the upper midwest - MN and WI - judging from articles on the topic in the newspapers as brought to my attention by a Google Alert on the word "milfoil".

Here's a pretty good primer on the topic if you're new to the subject of Eurasian Milfoil = the ropey green plant that grows vertically up from the lake bed to just below the surface The leaves feel like sandpaper when you brush against them and the milfoil tends to stagnate the water - deplete the oxygen and while it provides some cover for fish there's more harm than good to it. For Heartland Cove it's an increasing pest although I haven't been in the water yet this year to see how thick it is. Along with the lotus and cattails it gets harder and harder to actually swim in the Cove waters.

No good in simply breaking off the milfoil strands - that in fact may help propagate it. The roots have to be pulled and all the plant material taken away - tedious hand work done by divers in deeper water. It's tough to eradicate as evidenced by the many articles from infested regions. It seems to be a worse nuisance in colder regions but I'd deem it a definite threat to Heartland Cove.

http://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/Columns/articles.asp?articleID=7810

Article on the subject form New York state.

Dick Williams

I was at the cove on Friday the 6th, I took my spring float out in the water to keep cool while soaking up the sun, I didn't see any sign of the milfoil but then i didn't go out very far, but I know last year it was in the area I was floating in.

Thanks for the info again. I haven't seen much of it around this week. The lilies look think they are taking over more of the cove. The cattails look like they won't be coming back up this year. The only thing that's left is the leftovers from last year. My guess is they will be cutting the hay in the next couple weeks. So heads up on that if you plan on going out in the next few weeks.