Removal of watermilfoil from Emerald Bay a success

Officials doing the work to clear Eurasian watermilfoil from Emerald Bay say the efforts were successful.

Eurasian watermilfoil is a fast-spreading aquatic invasive weed that has been on the rise in Lake Tahoe since its introduction more than a decade ago.

A partnership between Tahoe Resource Conservation District, California Department of Parks and Recreation, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research

Eurasion watermilfoil

Center, and subcontractor A.C.E. Diving covered approximately 8,500 square feet of lake bottom near the pier and swimming beach of Emerald Bay using 8 feet x 40 feet reusable bottom barrier strips in June and hand removal of remaining weeds. On Sept. 14, the barriers were removed to reveal just sand, with no signs of invasive weeds below the barriers.

“We’re very optimistic about the initial results of this pilot project because it demonstrates that it is possible to eradicate the majority of an infestation in a specific locale,” California Department of Parks and Recreation environmental scientist Dan Shaw said in a statement. “These findings will help us establish a control plan for aquatic invasive weed populations in Emerald Bay and other afflicted areas of Lake Tahoe.”

Surveys will be conducted in subsequent seasons to document the long-term success of the removal efforts.