Pawtuckaway Lake Association

Remember how in the article Weed Watcher (W2) Inauguration, I hinted that our Weed Watch team had an early success. Let me tell you about it.  It began with Liz and Ed Kotowski; they are one of the new Weed Watchers who could not attend the July training. They had informed the team captain about a growth of Common Reed ( Phragmites australis) they had noticed between the Twins Islands guarding Log Cabin Island from the South Channel approach.  There were also other sightings by them.

So armed with this information, we asked Amy Smagula –Limnologist/Exotic Species Program Coordinator, NH Department Of Environmental Services-our trainer on July 27 to confirm this information.  So on Gary’s flagship pontoon all those attending the training sallied forth to investigate the weed. Sure enough Amy said it was the dreaded Common Weed.  She also told us to pull it-the sooner the better as it had not gone to seed yet.  Additionally, she noted the two other growths.

The Weed Watch team rose to the occasion. We were mobilized for action that Saturday morning, July 28.  We set forth on Gary’s pontoon vessel.  The crew was Gary, Peggy and Steve.  Peggy had made blueberry muffins for the team. On route we picked up Jeff.  We anchored off the Common Reed “island”. Then  we went into the water to  begin pulling all the weeds.  Meridith and Tricia kayaked over to participate.  Still later John Caiati joined the team. 

We pulled up the entire weed growth. It took blood, sweat and a tears of joy when we completed the task.  It required over an hour of pulling- those weeds had very, very long roots.  Meridith even fell backwards in the water when the weed gave way. We bagged four -13 gallon bags, there. In the end we were successful.  The weed ‘island’
was gone.

Next we took out a small growth along the side opposite from the Big Island. There are still two other growths-so we need you help.  But for the moment score one for (W2) team.

Steve Soreff, Weed Watch Captain