At the Select Board meeting this week, the Lake Maspenock Weed Committee provided an update on the progress of weed control in the lake. DPW Director John Westerling informed the board that they are currently in the midst of a lake drawdown to eight feet, but that they are likely to achieve only seven feet due to recent rain. Westerling also stated that DPW was hoping for a hard winter to kill the weed seeds, but that seems unlikely at this point. Therefore, the committee is recommending the use of herbicide to control the weeds.
The weeds in Lake Maspenock make large parts of the lake unusable to boaters and dangerous to swimmers. DPW had recommended the use of herbicide in 2017 but the proposal was scuttled by the Select Board. Since then the weed problem has worsened, particularly in the North Basin.
“Climate change is affecting the success of the lake drawdown,” said Westerling. “We do not get the hard freeze we need to kill the seeds. The lake is starting to close in on itself.”
The committee asked for the support of the Select Board and the Conservation Committee to line up contractors, secure the necessary approvals, and apply herbicide on a limited basis, starting with the North Basin.
Board members Shahidul Mannan and Mary Jo LaFreniere expressed support for the application of herbicide, while Muriel Kramer and Amy Ritterbusch expressed reservations.
“I appreciate the hard work and expertise the committee has invested in this project,” said Kramer. “I am not enthusiastic about the use of herbicide, but I won’t stand in the way.”
As lifetime (90 plus) residents on the lake we totally agree with the weed committee. In the 70s the lake was treated for weed control and it kept it clean and safe for years. The children stayed out of the water for a few days and we never heard of any bad effects caused by the treatment. I would hate to see our beautiful lake turn into a swamp. My family for generations has lived on the lake and I would be the first one to protest the treatment if it was not needed. The north end of the lake already is like a swamp and we need to save it soon.
Deneen and Scarlata Families
Having been on the Hopkinton Conservation Commission for nearly a decade and directly invovled in the Lake Maspenock technical study (Metcalf & Eddy Report), it is important to understand that aquatic herbicide treatment is NOT recommended by any reputable engineering firm.
#1. Aquatic herbicide treatment actually accerates the eutrophication process.
#2. Herbicides currently available in the United States are banned in many, if not most European countries.
#3. Aquatic herbicides are not benign to aquatic life or to nonivasive plant species.
#4. Banning fertilizers in the North Pond watershed, removing point discharges (installing appropriate leaching catch basins0, and requiring a natural buffer of 25ft. to 50ft. wherever possible would significantly reduce nutrient loading.
It’s about time! The herbicide will save the lake from becoming a swamp. It’s surprising peoples reservations over it considering the vast amount of property owners within the watershed that treat there lawns, tress, and houses with fertilizers and pesticides which in turn no doubt washes into the lake to some degree. I am more concerned about that than the herbicide to be used which has over and over again proven to be safe.
My family owned a cottage on the lake from the late 30’s to mid 80’s as a kid 60s and early 70’s the lake was treated and we stayed out a few days . The lake was without weeds . Safe to swim in .
Michael – With respect, I am aware of that treatment. Now, 50 years later, North Pond is in totally different situation. Further, that treatment actually helped to contribute to the current problem.
A scientific study was conducted and acquatic herbicide treatment was NOT recommend after that mid-70’s application. Science has advanced.
Dredging is the path to a weed free North Pond.
As a 40 year resident and swimmer, I disagree completely with the weed committee and above comments. The town would be foolish to spend over $50,000 each year to use chemicals that have lawsuits pending against them and are banned in multiple countries worldwide. There are more nontoxic methods that have not been tried. Let’s protect our precious lake from those who would use poison for quick but temporary results.
Carol Esler – Well said. The Town would indeed be liable based upon currently available information.
Having been Chair of the Conservation Committe for nearly a decade as well as having been involved in multliple lake studies involving North Pond and other lakes, it is important that Hopkinton residents know the facts.
#1. Using herbicides makes lake weed problems worse in the long term. Water quality is degraded due to increased nutrient loading (dead weed material) and oxygen saturation is lowered).
#2. Once herbicides are used, they must continue to used due to #1.
#3. There are no “safe” herbicides” and long term negative impacts lake ecosystems including noninvasive plants, fish, wildlife, and humans have been well documented.
#4. The only solution to the north basin of North Pond would be dredging and/or manual scraping/cleaning of decaying organic matter. Both could be best accomplished during the winter months. Existing sediment could be used for fertilizer or disposed of.
#5. Banning fertilzer within the North Pond drainage basin, requiring a natural buffer of at least 25ft., and installing appropriate leaching catch basis in the area (removing point discharges) would aid in preventing further acceleration of the problem.
#6. Aquatic herbicides currently in use in the United States are banned in many/most European countries due to the fact that they accelerate problems that cause weeds in the first place and are indeed toxic to aquatic and human life.
Facts matter.
Anyone who promotes the long term benefit of aquatic herbicides is simply not being factual