Over the past two years, The Waupaca Chain O’ Lakes District has been monitoring colonies of starry stonewort (an invasive algae).
In collaboration with the WI DNR and the Town of Dayton, the Lake District and Becker Marine will soon install buoys to designate the location of three SSW beds in Miner Lake. The white and orange buoys read: “AIS AREA – Stay Out.”
We ask all Chain users to avoid disturbing the colonies as much as possible.
Click here for a link to a drone photo of SSW on Miner Lake. Please look for brighter green/yellowish vegetation—that’s the SSW!
If you must enter an area to access your pier, please motor in and out slowly with the propeller raised high. Please use the same path each time.
If anchoring, always remove all vegetation and mud before moving to another location. Disturbing the colony will cause fragments and roots (bulbils) that can re-root when carried to other areas.
For more information about SSW click:
Unfortunately, all statewide treatment methods have been experimental with inconsistent results, so the DNR’s current recommendation is “active surveillance.”
SSW is not known to be a hazard to people, pets, or fish.
Its real threat is to the native plants we need for a healthy environment/clean clear water.