Dear Groton Lakes Association Members,
For the past 6 months, Bill Strickland, Jack McCaffrey (Groton Water Commissioner) and I have been looking into how other towns handle invasive weeds and if there are non-herbicide alternatives to control the invasive weeds in Baddacook Pond. We may have found an alternative.
A feasibility study, using a combination of a modified weed harvester and diver assisted suction harvesting (DASH), has been proposed by Aquatic Vision LLC. They have 20 years of invasive weed removal experience and believe that they can offer an effective method of control. They would like to conduct a pilot study this year with the goal of addressing the rest of the pond in 2017.
Although not the most cost effective alternative, cost is still in a reasonable range and, most importantly, the Water Department has agreed to support this method. The feasibility study will be around $20K of which the Water Commission has already allocated $4K.The rest will be requested by the GPAC and Water Department at the April 11th Selectmen meeting.
Please attend the meeting if you can. You’re attendance will have great sway over this decision.
Meeting:
Selectmen Meeting
April 11th, 6:00pm
First floor meeting room
Town Hall
For those who would like a better understanding of the process, view the proposal here.
I know that we all want to support good water quality and safe water resources, I look forward to seeing you there.
Jim Luening
Vice President, Groton Lakes Association
711 Martins Pond Rd.
I will be sending donation for Baddacook weed project. Very happy to hear!
Great collaboration.
We are a Lake Association Wrentham and would like to speak with you regarding suction harvesting and your results. Could someone contact me?
Hello Michael, We didn’t end up testing DASH. However, we did conduct a 3 year pilot program of weed control using mechanical means, weed harvesting and hydro-raking. I would be happy to discuss our results and our planned path forward. Please respond, if you are still interested. I only saw your request this evening.
Jim
I am interested in learning about your mechanical weed harvesting and hydro raking programs.