FAQ

Aren’t there other ways to stop milfoil?
Other methods are used, but they are not practical for Skaneateles Lake:

• Some level-controlled lakes lower the water level to harvest the weeds, but that is not an option here.
• Matting can be used to inhibit growth, but too large an area is now affected for this approach.
• Chemicals can be used to kill the plants, but the impact on other lake life and drinking water makes this inappropriate for Skaneateles.
• Machines that “mow” the top six feet of growth improve the appearance of the lake, but actually accelerate the spread of milfoil; it is no solution at all.

Has this method been used elsewhere?
Yes. Experience in other lakes, particularly Upper Saranac Lake, has demonstrated the effectiveness of suction dredging.  Furthermore, test patches removed from Skaneateles Lake in 2006 have not returned.

I hear that many lakes are introducing insects to control milfoil. Why don’t we do the same here?
Early in the project we looked into that. We invited a Cornell scientist, expert in biological control of milfoil, to advise us; he took samples and concluded that while there was a moth, Acentria ephemerella, in the lake that might be useful in controlling milfoil its populations were too low to effectively do the job. We also knew that we didn’t have much time to wait, since the milfoil population had tripled over the previous 5 years. We felt that we needed a sure way of controlling milfoil that we could implement immediately.

In some lakes they are using a weevil to control milfoil. Will this work in Skaneateles Lake?
The aquatic weevil, (Euhrychiopsis lecontei) has been used to control milfoil in lakes in Illinois, Minnesota, Vermont and Wisconsin. It has not worked so far in lakes in Washington. It is being marketed by Enviro Science, a company out of Vermont as MiddFoil. The weevil is native to this region and we found it present in small numbers in Skaneateles Lake. For whatever reason it has not been able to control milfoil here. This could be due to sunfish predation, poor overwinter survival or unsatisfactory habitat. Since the milfoil population nearly tripled over five years in the presence of weevils we felt that weevils were not the answer and we had to use a more effective method like hand pulling.

There is no milfoil in my part of the lake. Why should I donate?
Until a few years ago, milfoil affected very little of the lake. Now many miles of the lake frontage are infested. Unchecked, the spread will continue until the entire lake is affected. To prevent that, all existing milfoil must be removed, which will require the financial support of the entire lake community.

When will milfoil be removed in front of my property?
Teams of divers are working from north to south on along the east and west shores. We ask that all lake residents support this effort and be patient. Help is on the way.

If we do nothing, what will happen?
We can look to other area lakes including Cazenovia, Otisco, Owasco, Oneida, and Cayuga, for the answer. Milfoil has spread drastically in these lakes in recent years, creating unsightly mats of floating vegetation in shallow areas that hamper recreation and enjoyment of the lakes.

Will my taxes increase for milfoil control?
No. This effort is funded by private donations, not taxation. No taxes have been instituted or increased to eradicate milfoil in Skaneateles Lake.

What can I do personally to limit the impact of milfoil in the lake?

• First of all, your personal donation will help to fund this major project.
• Please spread the word about this project and fundraising need to friends, neighbors and colleagues.
• Be mindful that milfoil spreads when disturbed by boat propellers or other trauma. By avoiding existing patches, you can slow the spread of milfoil.
• Finally, as mapping of milfoil patches is an ongoing effort, please contact us if you discover milfoil near your property.