Bear Lake Watch has identified the areas of infestation. Look at their map. Eurasian watermilfoil and curly-leaf pondweed can ruin bodies of water. Now, they are growing along the shore of Bear Lake. Brady Long, Executive Director of Bear Lake Watch, said the plants have become so dense in some areas of the lake that boats struggle to pass through them.

“We refer to it as the new bear lake monster,” Long said. “The growth at its heaviest is in the marinas where the water is more protected and sometimes warmer.”

The biggest hurdle is that half the lake is in Idaho, and it is currently not on the same page as Utah regarding treatment. There’s only so much that treating the Utah side can do. However, Long is optimistic that it can be done. If we’re able to get people to help identify it and we’re able to get Idaho to do the same work that Forestry, Fire, and State Lands is already doing in Utah, then we will be able to win this battle,” he said.

As you can see in the second photo, the lake has apparent areas where the weeds have already settled.

Green is 0% weeds

Yellow is 25%

Orange 50%

Red 75%

https://kslnewsradio.com/.../invasive-species-at-bear.../

Curly-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus)

Description

Appearance

Curly-leaf pondweed is a rooted, submersed aquatic plant. Its coloration varies from olive-green to reddish-brown.

Leaves and Stem

Wavy, lasagna-like leaves grow approximately a half-inch wide and two to three inches long. Leaves have an obvious mid-vein, “toothed” or serrated edges and blunt tips. Leaves are arranged alternately, are directly attached to the stem, and become denser toward the end of the stem. The main stem can be various colors including white, green, brown, and red, and tends to branch multiple times near the top of the plant. The plant may mat at the surface, but does not have true floating leaves.

Flowers

The flower stalk grows up above the water surface, typically in June. It grows to about one inch tall and appears reddish-brown in the water, but is actually green when examined closely.

Reproductive Structures

Reproductive structures are called turions. They are brown, typically a half-inch in size and look like sharp small pinecones. It can also reproduce via seed, but seeds play a small role in reproduction.

Roots

Rhizomes (an underground stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes) are thick and pale yellow in color. Many stems can be connected by one rhizome.

Biology

Curly-leaf pondweed generally grows from the shore to water depths of 15 feet, and can grow up to 15 feet tall. It tolerates low water clarity and will readily invade disturbed areas. Curly-leaf can be distinguished from native pondweeds by its unique life cycle. Turions sprout in the fall, and it is generally the first pondweed to come up in the spring. It typically flowers, fruits, and produces turions in June before dying back in mid-summer.

Origin and Spread

Curly-leaf pondweed is native to Eurasia, Africa, and Australia. It was likely introduced when common carp were intentionally introduced into Midwest waters as a game fish in the 1880s. The species was likely spread through the movement of watercraft and water-related equipment. It was first noted in Minnesota around 1910. 

Don't be fooled by these look-alikes

Curly-leaf pondweed looks similar to many native beneficial pondweeds found in Minnesota lakes and rivers, but can be distinguished based on its serrated leaf edges.

• Broad-leaf pondweeds (native)
• Clasping-leaf pondweed opens in a new browser tab (native)
• White-stem pondweed opens in a new browser tab (native)
• Narrow-leaf pondweeds (native)

Regulatory Classification

Curly-leaf Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) is a prohibited invasive species in Minnesota, which means it is unlawful (a misdemeanor) to possess, import, purchase, transport or introduce this species except under a permit for disposal, control, research or education.

What you should do

People spread curly-leaf pondweed primarily through the movement of water-related equipment. Plant fragments and turions can get stuck on trailers, motors, docks, boat lifts, swim rafts and inside watercraft (boats, canoes and kayaks). Turions, which may be hidden in mud and debris, can stick to anchors as well as scuba, fishing, and hunting gear.

Whether or not a lake is listed as infested, 

• Clean watercraft of all aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
• Drain all water by removing drain plugs and keeping them out during transport.
• Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.
• Dry docks, lifts, swim rafts and other equipment for at least 21 days before placing equipment into another water body.

Report new occurrences of curly-leaf pondweed to the DNR immediately by contacting your DNR Invasive Species Specialist 

Control Methods

Management of invasive aquatic plants involving either mechanical removal of plants or application of herbicides to public waters requires a permit from the DNR. Talk to a DNR specialist for more information.

Mechanical control can be done by cutting or pulling the plant by hand or with equipment such as rakes or cutting blades.

Herbicide control can be done using an endothall herbicide.

Resources

• U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database opens in a new browser tab