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Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention: Landing monitors
Explore SCLA initiatives and LEARN how you can help maintain the pristine waters of the Spider Chain of Lakes.
Aquatic Invasives can have devastating effects on lakes limiting boating, swimming activities, and reducing property values. SCLA volunteers work to secure WDNR grants that help fund the cost of “landing monitors” (aka boat inspector/educators) at the two public boat landings. Landing monitors are the best defense against the introduction of new aquatic invasive species such as Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM). The monitors teach visitors how to protect the lake by cleaning their boats and trailers prior to launch. They are critical to SCLA work to prevent the two most devastating invasive species: EWM and its more aggressive cousin, Hybrid Eurasian Watermilfoil (HEWM). |
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Why is this program important?
The most significant impact that SCLA makes is in its work to prevent aquatic invasive species (AIS) from entering the Spider Chain of Lakes. Although Eurasian Watermilfoil ("EWM") has not yet been detected in the Spider Chain of Lakes, we are surrounded by lakes that are infested with EWM or "Hybrid Eurasian Watermilfoil (HEWM)". HEWM is a more aggressive, faster growing form of Eurasian Watermilfoil that has adapted to our northern climate. In addition to being surrounded by lakes with invasive forms of milfoil, many boats enter the Spider Chain from Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes that are infested with other invasive species; so educating boaters on effective cleaning and removal of plants from boats and trailers is critical.
Where does this program run?
Along with the WDNR, SCLA helps fund Landing Monitors (boat inspectors/educators) who are trained to inspect watercraft for AIS including HEWM and EWM before boats enter Spider Lake and after they exit the lake at the two public boat launches. AIS & Water Quality Committee members work closely with each Landing Monitor to ensure that they are up to date on best practices, and that their interactions with boaters are reported and analyzed. This partnership creates valuable communication between SCLA and boaters to improve knowledge and prevention practices that help keep the chain free of the most damaging invasive species.
When does this program run?
Landing monitors begin work the first Saturday of May to coincide with the opening of the Wisconsin fishing season. Monitoring ends in October shortly after the conclusion of the annual musky tournament sponsored by “Hayward Muskies Inc.”
Clear Lake landing is monitored 7 days/week with two shifts on Thursday through Saturday. Heinemann landing is monitored on Saturday and Sunday. Additional hours of monitoring occur during holiday weekends and special events.
How does this program run?
This program is a cooperation between SCLA, the Town of Spider Lake (TOSL), and the WDNR. Landing monitors educate boaters on AIS prevention and create daily reports on boats inspected and their recent visits to other lakes. All plants of concern are submitted to the Sawyer County AIS Coordinator for analysis. A member of the SCLA AIS & Water Quality committee enters the information collected into the WDNR database to support collective lake usage for the WDNR.
This partnership creates valuable communication between SCLA and boaters to improve knowledge and prevention practices that help keep the chain free of the most damaging invasive species.