On Thursday, September 23, 2021, forty-two stands of invasive Phragmites were treated with the DNR approved herbicide, glyphosate or imazapyr. In the past three years, CLLA has found and treated over 60 stands of the invasive Phragmites on North Lindstrom, South Lindstrom and Chisago Lake. No invasive Phragmites stands have been found on Kroon Lake.
The Chisago Lakes Area Foundation provided CLLA with a grant in 2017 that enabled us to inform the local community of the invasive Phragmites problem. Once invasive Phragmites gets established, it quickly pushes out native plants and takes over shorelines.
CLLA collaborated with the University of Minnesota MAISRC (Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center) to develop a management plan to identify and treat the invasive Phragmites. Also, our local lake associations have worked closely with MAISRC and the MN DNR to define the state-wide protocol for the eradication of Phragmites.
Funding for the actual treatments was obtained from the Chisago Lake Lakes Improvement District and our lake association (through member dues). The invasive Phragmites stands were treated by Lakes Management, Inc.
We expect the eradication of invasive Phragmites will be an ongoing project as more infested stands are likely to be found and any treated stands will have to be revisited each year to ensure that regrowth does not occur. If you would like to be part of the AIS weed inspectors, please contact us at chisago.lindstrom.lake.assc@gmail.com.
Chisago-Lindstrom Lakes Association 