Some Bone Lake homeowners have had a hint of the threat presented by invasive aquatic species. Here and there in our lake there are serious infestations of curly leaf pondweed (an invasive species) and northern milfoil (an indigenous species). Concentrated infestations of these species are a nuisance because they interfere with boating and swimming. These species do, however, provide desirable fish habitat. The important point is that the problems presented by curly leaf pond weed and northern milfoil are trivial compared to what we would have on our hands if Bone Lake were infested with Eurasian milfoil. Imagine the entire lake from the shoreline to approximately 17 feet of water depth clogged with a stinking mass of vegetation that precludes boating and swimming, and destroys fish habitat. Imagine spending a million or more dollars a year just to manage, but not eradicate, the problem. Imagine the loss of property values as prospective purchasers decide they would rather live on a lake with clean water.

Clean Boats / Clean Water Program PDF

Through the Clean Boats Clean Water program, your neighbors are working to keep Eurasian water milfoil and other invasive species out of Bone Lake. The focus is on educating boaters and inspecting boats and other watercraft, such as jet skis, because they are the primary vector transmitting invasive species from one lake to another. Some people ask, “Why bother, can’t invasive species be transported by birds and other wildlife?” According to the experts consulted by our lake management district, this isn’t so. At best, the threat from birds and other wildlife is theoretical. The fact is invasive species travel from lake to lake via watercraft.

Polk County law prohibits the transporting of a boat, watercraft, or a trailer  if it has aquatic plants or animals attached.
( see complete Ordinance under government regulations menu)

On several weekends in 2008, CBCW volunteers were on hand at the north landing  to greet fisherman and other boaters, show them how to inspect their boats and trailers, and educate them about the need to keep Eurasian milfoil, other invasive species and VHS out of Bone Lake. In all, twenty two volunteers spent over 100 hours in this worthwhile effort in 2007.  In the long term we will work with local, county, and state governments to develop a comprehensive means of addressing the problem of invasive species “hitchhiking “ their way from lake to lake.

Along with the Lake Monitoring volunteers so ably organized by Bob Boyd, the Clean Boats Clean Water volunteers are our first line of defense against Eurasian milfoil and other new invasives.  We can make a difference. When it comes to invasive species, an ounce of prevention is worth not pounds, but tons, of cure.

Please volunteer to participate in the CBCW program. We need additional  volunteers.  To sign up contact  Phil Foster at 715-857-5304. You will be provided the needed training and you can elect which three hour shift to work. We usually have a team of two people on each shift.  You can decide the time that works best for you.

In 2008 the following fellow Bone Lakers assisted in the CBCW education and inspection program:

Next time you see them, say thank you to them for all their great work.