EWM Working Group - Fall 2025
Thanks to all who helped manage Eurasian Watermilfoil in both of our lakes during 2025. That includes:
- The 25% of our 542 property owners who made a voluntary donation to the EWM Fund, adding $37,200 to the Fund,
- The 29 volunteers who helped with our new barge, loaded and reloaded rocks and skimmed EWM fragments,
- The 8 members of the EWM Working Group,
- The DSLPOA Director, Finance, and
- Every other person who helped by identifying, monitoring or controlling EWM growth.
Every contribution of dollars or effort is a contribution to the continued success of the program. No new outbreaks were identified in 2025 and successful management of near shore outbreaks continued around the lake. Drone monitoring confirmed that Site 1 is maintaining its size and density - making it the first target during Dive Week 2026.
Here are some key points from the past 12 months:
- EWM Fund beginning balance - $21,501
- Application to lay benthic matting at 7 Drag Lake locations approved by Ministry of Natural Resources,
- Application for Invasive Species Action Fund micro grant approved by Invasive Species Centre ($3,500),
- Dundee Marine confirmed mid July dive schedule but equipment issues caused delay until early August,
- Used pontoon boat purchased to replace aging barge, then modified for role as material transport barge ($6,441),
- Spring monitoring of 20 sites included drone photography and was used to set priorities for Dive Week ($1,619),
- Materials purchased for Dive Week ($4,416),
- Dive Week included 3 full days with either mat deployment or hand harvesting at 11 sites ($16,780),
- Analysis of drone photos taken during Dive Week helped form control priorities for 2026,
- EWM Fund year end balance - $32,688.
As the numbers above show, annual fundraising more than covered annual expenses, leaving an increased year end EWM Fund balance. Our fundraising goal is that after paying the bills for each annual Dive Week, the EWM Fund balance will cover expenses for the following year.
Over the course of 6 years we’ve learned that there is a high degree of repeatability with invasive species management. But there are also a few unexpected changes each year, such as the density of growth at each monitored site and the weather conditions during Dive Week. This variability requires us to be consistent and vigilant in our approach. Expect the next year end summary to resemble this one, but also watch for the inevitable differences.
What’s in store for 2026? Even with temperatures below zero and snow falling regularly, work has already begun:
- Final reporting for the 2025 ISAF is complete,
- Application for the 2026 ISAF is complete,
- Application process with MNR to lay benthic matting at 7 Drag Lake locations has begun,
- One U-Links project to review research and reports regarding aquatic herbicides has begun,
- A second U-Links project for summer completion is under discussion,
- Dundee Marine has confirmed their participation in July,
- Haliburton Marine and Storage has confirmed their in-kind sponsorship, use of a pontoon boat trailer for barge movements, and
- Several property owners have already made contributions to the EWM Fund totaling over $3,000.
The Working Group appreciates the support from our waterfront community and would welcome others wishing to be involved in leading the EWM management activities on Drag and Spruce Lakes. Specifically, this year help is needed to assist with the roles of fundraising, applying for grants and obtaining required permits and authorizations. To learn more or offer your support, send your email to Jim Miners at dslpoaewm@gmail.com.
