Good News…and a Friendly Reminder!
Thanks to your continued stewardship, we’ve had one of our most productive seasons yet protecting the Tiger Cat Flowage. Together, we’re making real progress in managing Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM).
📍 Upper Twin Lake (Eurasian Watermilfoil)
Great news! Through our Rapid Response Grant, professional scuba divers manually removed nearly 900 pounds of EWM from several small colonies that reappeared after last year’s treatment. Check out our previous announcements about the great community teamwork on those efforts.
This type of regrowth is expected after treatment and is not cause for concern.
Even better, the Wisconsin DNR has approved extending our grant through 2027, allowing us to continue intensive monitoring and manual removal next spring and summer using the remaining grant funds, if necessary.
📍 Placid Lake (Hybrid Milfoil)
Our monitoring continues to show encouraging results.
Hybrid milfoil is a naturally occurring cross between Eurasian Watermilfoil (an invasive species) and a native milfoil species. Because it contains traits from both parent plants, its growth and behavior can vary. Some hybrid milfoil populations can be aggressive, while others may remain stable and coexist with native aquatic plants. The hybrid milfoil identified in 2025 remains stable (not aggressive) and is coexisting with native aquatic plants.
Because the population remains stable and is not causing measurable ecological impacts, the Wisconsin DNR has not authorized treatment as it’s healthily coexisting.
We’ll continue monitoring closely throughout 2027, and if conditions change, we’ll immediately work with our aquatic plant consultants to determine the best management approach.
🚫 NO TOUCHY! Season Has Arrived 🚫
August through the end of the boating season is fragmentation season.
During this time, Eurasian Watermilfoil naturally becomes brittle and breaks apart easily. Unfortunately, every tiny fragment has the potential to root and grow into a brand-new invasive plant.
Here’s how you can help:
✅ Avoid boating through EWM beds whenever possible.
✅ Don’t pull, rake, anchor, or disturb EWM during August through the end of the season.
✅ If you see a floating fragment, snag it (touching is encouraged here!), remove it from the water, and dispose of it well up on shore. Never throw it back into the lake.
The Rule is Simple…
🚫 Rooted? No Touchy!
🌱 Floating? Grab It!
Every floating fragment of Eurasian Watermilfoil removed is one less opportunity for Eurasian Watermilfoil to spread.
Thank you for helping protect the beauty, health, and ecological integrity of the Tiger Cat Flowage. Your stewardship is making a measurable difference—and together we’re keeping our lakes healthy for generations to come.
Remember…
🚫 Rooted? No Touchy!
🌱 Floating? Grab It!
Jen Corlett / AIS Committee Lead/Board Member