Below is an update provided by Tim Hoyman (Onterra) on June 21, 2025 regarding their tour of the lake.

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Thank you for taking the time to cruise around Lake Puckaway on Monday with Todd and me. The attached map indicates two areas on the lake that Todd and I mapped actual nuisance levels of aquatic vegetation. Near the dredgebank on the north shore, we found a relatively dense bed of Eurasian watermilfoil with sago pondweed, coontail, and other natives mixed in. We were able to move through the colony, but we did have some trouble. The colony is not preventing access to open water for the properties in that area because you can easily cruise between the shore and the colony.

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We also mapped dense curly-leaf pondweed in front of the condos in the Village of Marquette. This was quite difficult to get through but based upon the condition of the curly-leaf pondweed in the rest of the lake, this colony should be dying back soon as well. The future occurrence of curly-leaf pondweed may be a factor that will need to be included in the aquatic plant management plan. Population management is impractical, but limited nuisance control near landings maybe something to consider because the lake is used early in the season by anglers.

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The north shore of the west basin had much filamentous algae built up along the shore. While it is an eye-sore, it was occurring in very shallow water, so depth is more of a navigational issue than the algae itself. This is unfortunate, but controlling it is impossible. Filamentous algae starts growing on the bottom of the lake, taking nutrients from the sediments. As it grows, it makes a mat across the sediment and then gases produced by its own photosynthesis and by decomposition in the sediment get trapped under the mat and ultimately lift it off the sediment to be moved around the lake with currents and wind. If it occurs frequently and the water is deep enough for a harvester, it can be collected, but it can also turn into a never-ending battle. If it is near shore in shallow water, raking it and disposing of it on shore is the best option for a property owner.

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Some of the canals had filamentous algae as well, but we saw more duckweed and watermeal floating on the surface. While there were submerged plants in the canals, we were able to move through them pretty easily. That may change over the course of the summer.

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Based upon our observations, there are no areas in the lake that call for the district to take action at this time. As discussed at the kick-off meeting, near-shore areas can be handled with manual removal by the property owner, if needed. Lake Puckaway, as everyone knows, can change very quickly, so it is a good thing that the district is preparing its harvester for possible use. You should share this report with the herbicide applicator and harvesting contractor you have communicated with in the last couple of months to let them know that there is a good chance that their services will not be needed.

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Our field crews will be out on the lake again in the next few weeks to complete the point-intercept survey. We will keep you posted on that survey’s timing.

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Thank you,

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Tim

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