Cascade Water Alliance to begin milfoil treatment at Lake Tapps in July

June 10, 2019 9:30 am
Cascade Water Alliance to begin milfoil treatment at Lake Tapps in July

Cascade Water Alliance, which owns and operates the Lake Tapps Reservoir, conducted two milfoil surveys this spring. Based on these surveys, Cascade is announcing its 2019 planned milfoil treatment.

The areas designated to receive treatment are marked on the map shown above. Treatment will occur during the second week of July. Residents in planned treatment areas will be notified regarding time and dates of treatment prior to actual application.

This year, Cascade will be using one or more of the following treatments.

The first is a newly approved treatment ProcellaCOR. The State Department of Ecology recently authorized use of this aquatic herbicide that has been deemed to be more a more effective chemical than has been used previously. It is environmentally friendlier, and with this new treatment, results are expected to be significantly better. This treatment may affect water that is used for irrigation, but, as a reminder, pumping or drawing Lake Tapps Reservoir water for irrigation is never permitted.

Treatments may also include the aquatic herbicide RenovateOTF (triclopyr). The Washington Department of Ecology recommends not swimming in the area treated by RenovateOTF for at least 12 hours post treatment.

For aquatic plant management options for lakefront property owners at Lake Tapps, see Aquatic Plant Removal or Control, which includes the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Aquatic Plants & Fish Pamphlet.

Milfoil is found in most Northwest lakes. It has been in Lake Tapps on and off for years. Milfoil is no longer classified as a noxious weed, and therefore, Cascade has no legal obligation to address milfoil. However, Cascade is as interested as residents and recreation enthusiasts in keeping the reservoir clean and safe. This is why, over the past decade, Cascade has treated and addressed milfoil management on a regular basis at its own cost. Cascade does not manage natural vegetation.

In addition, Cascade has teamed up with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department to offer residents TappsWise, a natural yard care and septic system maintenance program to keep Lake Tapps clean and healthy.

For more information visit cascadewater.org.