The map above shows the largest treatment areas, totaling about twenty-five acres. An additional five acres is planned to treat any new patches  that may occur, either in open water or near shore. Thirty acres is down from the forty acres treated in 2008 by PLM Lake and Land Management Corp. of Pequot Lakes, MN.    A 2008 vegetation survey conducted by  Donna Dustin, Detroit Lakes DNR, in late May prior to treatment of forty acres,  indicated that curly leaf was found to be present in 22% of the gps  intercept points over the entire lake. 25% frequency is the cutoff point to be even eligible to apply for a DNR grant for curly leaf treatment. Many lakes that apply have 80% or more frequency.

For 2009 the cost of  chemical curly leaf treatment (using the products Aquathol K and Hydrothol 191) has increased by 3% to $288.40/acre.  Total cost for treating 30 acres is  $8,652 +  $750 DNR multiple party  permit fee= $9,402. The Portage Lake Association has $1,600 in   savings, leaving $7,802 to be raised by residents'  contributions.  In the past, the  lake association has received between 65-70 contributions per year so I divided the amount to be raised ($7,802)  by 65 to arrive at a "suggested contribution" amount of $120 per homeowner, which is down from $185 in 2008.   

Please write check out to: Portage Lake Improvement Association.
Send to: Marilyn Peterson, 12651 Far Portage Drive, Park Rapids, MN 56470
Please send your contribution in before April 1, 2009 so we know how much money  will  be available for curly leaf treatment. Funds raised will be used  ONLY  to pay for curly leaf treatment  and the necessary permits.  Please make a notation if you are including  your  2009 lake association membership dues  at the same time.  Dues are $10 per couple & multiple party property owners or $5 /single property owner.

Remember, in 2002 residents voted to manage curly leaf pondweed, an invasive species, by chemical treatment. 85% of the returned ballots indicated residents were willing to financially support this endeavor. We residents are the only ones who can finance this battle against curly leaf. Once a lake has curly leaf, it cannot be completely eradicated, but it can be controlled or managed.. Because the lake is shallow and very fertile, curly leaf could quickly escalate and  form a ring around the whole lake growing outward from shore to  9-10 feet deep, where there would no longer be much light penetration needed for curly leaf growth.

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