Storm Lake vegetation management treatment is scheduled for the week of June 24, conditions permitting. The contractor, Aquatic Ecosystems Consultants, will conduct the treatment during the calmest period forecast for the week. A June application allows the summer season to be covered with a single application.
This will be the third consecutive year for treatment, in response to a considerable algae bloom that occurred in the summer of 2021. The preventative application focuses on a small area of the lake - 37 acres of the overall lake area of approximately 3,100 acres. Treatment covers shallow areas that are susceptible for rapid vegetation growth, and particularly those that are highly used for recreation. The treatment areas includes:
• Awaysis Beach
• King’s Point docks area
• Casino Beach marina area
• Kiwanis (Frank Starr Park) Beach
• University (Scout Park) Beach
Treatment is designed to control submerged vegetation, emergent aquatic weeds, floating plants and filamentous/planktonic algae, and has been considered effective in recent years in reducing problem growth. The treatment program is a cooperative program between the City of Storm Lake, the Lake Improvement Commission and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The City pays for the labor costs of the application, and the DNR purchases the product utilizing state marine fuel tax revenue.
The process protects dissolved oxygen levels while helping to maintain a healthy aquatic ecosystem, according to applicator AEC. Products used in treatment are fully approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for aquatic use. The chemical is not harmful either to humans or aquatic life.