This summer, the Glen Lake Association, in collaboration with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB), will deploy a targeted, nonchemical treatment to eradicate three colonies of invasive Eurasian watermilfoil, or EWM, discovered in the deep basin of Little Glen Lake last year. These efforts aim to protect Glen Lake’s ecological integrity by preventing the spread of EWM and supporting the return of native plant species to affected areas.
The infestation will be addressed using burlap benthic barriers, a method recently refined by the GTB and the Lake Leelanau Lake Association through successful deployments on Lake Leelanau. Scuba divers will install biodegradable barriers over known EWM stands, and the site will continue to be monitored until the species is eradicated.
“Collaboration is key when it comes to protecting our lakes,” said Rob Karner, Watershed Biologist for the Glen Lake Association. “Thanks to early detection and a rapid, sciencebased response, we have a real opportunity to stop this infestation before it becomes a longterm problem. Early intervention is essential, and this is exactly the kind of coordinated effort that can make it possible.”
