Congamond Lake. WNG file photo)
SOUTHWICK – On May 7, Congamond Lake will be chemically treated by Solitude Lake Management. Treatment will encompass the entire lake which consists of North, South, and Middle Ponds.
According to Lake Management Committee Chairman Dick Grannells, the lake is treated every year, and Solitude has earned the bid for a three-year contract for the treatments.
Solitude will be specifically treating for invasive species such as Eurasian watermilfoil and Curly-leaf pondweed. Grannells said that the two species are spread throughout 18-20 acres of the 460 total acres on Congamond Lake.
Solitude goes through a very rigorous process when treating the two species. The process includes GPS (Global Positioning System) of all the locations that invasive plants are known to exist. The exact location also allows Solitude to make sure that the Eurasian watermilfoil and Curly-leaf pondweed don’t grow out of control. They’ll also take photos with underwater cameras and take samples of the two species.
“It makes for a nice tight treatment,” said Grannells.
Since the lake will be treated on May 7 there are certain activities that are banned from occurring. No drinking or cooking from the lake can occur until May 11. There will be no swimming until the next day on May 8 and no watering of livestock until May 9. Also, irrigation can’t occur until May 13, but there is no restriction on boating and fishing.
