Phoslock NSF Certification

Aquatechnex has been working with Phoslock, a phosphorus locking technology for lakes, for the past two years.  We have found this product to be highly effective in reducing the amount of phosphorus present in lake systems.  As this nutrient drives algae blooms, this technology limits the carrying capacity of a lake system to produce algae blooms.

This past week, Phoslock received is NSF/ANSI Standard 60 certification.  This clears the product for direct application to potable water reservoir systems.  For more information go to www.aquatechnex.wordpress.com

 

Eurasian Milfoil in Hope Marinas Treated

Aquatechnex assisted Idaho State Department of Agriculture in treating Eurasian Milfoil infestations in three marinas in the Hope/Elisport Bay area on Thursday September 8th as was noted in this blog prior.  There are no swimming restrictions on the water in the area, an irrigation and potable water use restriction within these treatment areas remains current until ISDA water sampling indicates that levels have dropped below label limitations on those activities.  This generally happens within a few days.  ISDA will be informing us on this and we will be posting the all clear on this site as soon as we have that news.

Eurasian Milfoil Treatments Set for Week After Labor Day

Aquatechnex biologists will be treating approximately 33 acres of Lake Pend Oreille in the Elisport area this coming week.  This work will be at the direction of the Idaho Department of Agriculture’s Eurasian Milfoil program.  ISDA staff have been surveying the lake and have noted that milfoil densities in this area are such that treatment is warrented.

The herbicide to be used will be triclopyr, a selective systemic product that is target specific for this aquatic weed.  There are water use restrictions that will be in place within the treatment areas for irrigation and potable use until levels drop below labeled restrictions.  This generally takes from a few days to a week.  ISDA will be performing water sampling to monitor these levels and will alert us when we can post an all clear on this web site.

It is anticipated that this treatment will occur on Thursday September 8 with a planned start time of near 11 am.  This may be modified based on weather conditions and interested parties should check this web site again Wednesday evening.  Any questions can be forwarded to tmcnabb@aquatechnex.com

Article on 2006 Sonar Herbicide Treatments Posted at Aquatechnex

We have posted an article on the results of the 2006 Sonar Aquatic Herbicide Treatments on Lake Pend Oreille at www.aquatechnex.wordpress.com for those that are interested.

Aquatechnex will be delivering public notices for early September Eurasian Milfoil Treatments

This coming week, Aquatechnex biologists will be delivering public notification two weeks prior to scheduled treatments to target this noxious aquatic weed in portions of Lake Pend Oreille.  Aquatechnex was selected by the Idaho Department of Agriculture last fall to support their Eurasian Milfoil control efforts in north Idaho and the Lake Pend Oreille System.  We will be providing additional updates here as the dates get closer.

2011 Priest Lake Eurasian Milfoil Treatments Set

For more information go to the Priest Lake treatment blog at www.priestmilfoil08.wordpress.com

Aquatechnex biologists performing dye studies to improve aquatic herbicide performance

This summer Aquatechnex biologists are performing a number of operational rhodamine WT dye studies to learn more about water exchange in invasive aquatic plant beds to improve performance of US EPA registered herbicides.  For more information on this work go to www.aquatechnex.wordpress.com and read the article.

Questions about Flood Stage

The Daily Bee is reporting that there are conflicting views within government about the potential for flooding in the near future on Lake Pend Oreille. http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/news/local/article_539244de-88fa-11e0-8224-001cc4c03286.html or more information.

EPA is granted Stay on NPDES permit requirement for lake treatments

The US Sixth Circuit Court ruled about two years ago that the US EPA should issue National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for aquatic herbicide or vector control applications.  They then gave the US EPA until April 9, 2011 to develop and implement that program.  Last month, EPA filed a motion with the court to stay this decision for an additional six months.  EPA’s reasoning is that they had not had enough time to develop the permit program.

This past Monday the Court granted the motion and NPDES permits will not be required for application of these materials until October 31, 2011.  This will insure necessary work can be performed while EPA completes this work.

Aquatic Weed Control Options for Lakeshore Property Owners on the Pend Oreille

With limited funding in the State Eurasian Milfoil Control Program this coming year, many lakefront property owners may not be in areas that receive treatment in 2001.  Bonner County’s Invasive Species Task Force is currently working with the State to prioritize treatment areas to maximize the benefit for the public with the funding that is available. 

There are also a number of tools that can be deployed to help manage excessive invasive weed growth along your shoreline.  This activity can protect your family as these dense mats pose a threat to swimmers. It can also increase the ease of boating and improve your waterfront. 

Our diver teams can install bottom barrier systems to suppress aquatic weed growth.  These barriers are attached to the lake bottom and prevent aquatic weed growth.  They can also be moved after they have controlled one area to expand control.  Our divers also operate diver dredge vacuum systems that can remove excessive aquatic weed growth.  Permits may be required prior to installation. 

You may want to consider the automated LakeMaid system.  This system attached to your dock and automatically sweeps a rake system back and forth at regular intervals clearing the lake bottom near your dock.  This system can also be shared by neighbors and be moved around as needed.  Permits may be required prior to installation and we don’t recommend these where Eurasian Milfoil is present as it can cause fragmentation.  This tool is more applicable where native aquatic weeds are problematic. 

With the new permit system for aquatic herbicide application, there is more flexibility for applicator to obtain coverage and manage aquatic weed growth.  We have a number of options to provide summer long relief using these EPA approved technologies that can be applied under this permit.  Our biologists would want to visit your site, determine your problem and offer suggestions on the appropriate technology to use.  We generally charge on a front foot basis for this.  In addition, we also now have EPA approved herbicides that can be applied to the lake bottom during drawdown.  These pre-emergent technologies are applied in the spring and prevent aquatic weed growth all summer long.

For more information please go to http://aquatechnex.com/consult_request.html