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Spray stations used in weed battle
HENRY'S LAKE, Idaho (AP) -- There's no way around a free boat wash at Henry's Lake this summer. A high-powered rinse is now mandatory for boaters to lessen the risk of invasion of an unwanted weed in one in one of Idaho's most highly prized trophy trout lakes.
"People are in a hurry to go fishing, but they are good to talk to most of the time," said Kevin Jones, who is operating one of two spraying stations at the lake and leading a survey of boater activity. "Once they know about (the weed), they're a little more receptive to keeping their boats clean." The weed of concern is Eurasian Watermilfoil, which has spread in waters in western and northern Idaho and is present in lakes and reservoirs in more than half of the states nationwide. Precautions are necessary because it only takes a sample the size of a postage stamp for the feathery weed to begin proliferating. As it does, the weed forms in dense thick mats on the water's surface, lowering the oxygen levels for fish and compromising water quality and flow for downstream users. The state has spent $4 million in each of the last two years on eradication programs.
Eurasian Watermilfoil also tends to take over quickly in bodies of water with a depth of about 18 feet. About 80 percent of Henry's Lake measures 15 to 20 feet deep. State officials say it's surprising Eurasian Watermilfoil hasn't already invaded Henry's Lake. Because it hasn't, efforts by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to keep it that way have intensified.
"Henry's Lake is one of the most popular lakes in Idaho and one of the greatest flat waters in the United States for trout," said Damon Keen, a state fisheries biologist. Few disagree that the weed's introduction into Henry's Lake would be devastating, bringing with it the potential to wipe out the fishery within five years, state officials say.
The potential economic loss for the region is also significant, considering the agency's 2003 Sport Fishing Economic Report, which ranks Fremont County as the top county in the state for fishing revenue. Fremont County generates $50.8 million, according to the report, well above runner-up Idaho County, at $41.1 million. "Henry's Lake is a huge benefit to our region and the state of Idaho," Keen said. "The fishery will change if we see a plant like Eurasian Watermilfoil introduced in the lake."
Jones is on duty to prevent that kind of change. He's an intern for High Country Research, Conservation and Development, the rural development group responsible for writing the spray station grant.
The $160,00 grant from the state Department of Agriculture covers the cost of the two spray stations and operation of those stations from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. this year. As part of his surveys, Jones question boaters about their weed awareness and use of the lake. Then he washes the boats that pass through the spray station.
The force of the spray, similar to the power rinse at a car wash, removes weeds and contaminants. The water is pumped through the spray station at 104 degrees so it also loosens invasive zebra and quagga mussels. The used water is filtered three times then recycled into a 750-gallon tank for more boat washings. Jones washes more than a dozen boats a day at one of the two spray stations. They are the first spray stations operating in the state, reinforcing the value of the Henry's Lake, a fishery that attracts anglers from across the world.
"It would be devastating if we got it," said Bryce Fowler, Fremont County weed supervisor. "Not only would it affect Henry's Lake, but we have the whole Upper Snake ecosystem that it would come down into and destroy." The spray stations will be in operation at the lake until the end of September. They will shut down for winter and reopen next year around Memorial Day.
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