Lake weed removal running late

The town's lake weed harvesting operations are behind schedule.
Contractor Inland Aquatics was running into heavier weed concentrations than expected as operations began last month at the south end of Cook's Bay, chief administrative officer Stan Armstrong said.

"The contractor said the weeds are considerably heavier than last year," Mr. Armstrong said, adding operations were expected to reach the mouth of the Maskinonge early this week.

As in previous years, weeds from further offshore were pushed in by wind after the weeds close to shore were removed.

Inland's mechanized hydraulic harvest and raking system had been expected to complete the sweep north to about Rayner's Road in about two weeks.

Inland is the same company hired to do the job last year, but had to pull out early because of low water levels.

The town program does not include the Maskinonge or Pefferlaw rivers, or other shoreline areas that have also been experiencing increased weed growth caused by the excess phosphorus and other nutrients entering the lake.

Homeowners taking floating weeds out themselves should put them in clear plastic bags and leave them out with the other trash and recyclables on garbage day.

Larger quantities can be taken to the waste transfer station on Warden Avenue.

The town will pay the tipping fee.

Council has budgeted $100,000 for the weed harvest.

For more on the causes of excessive weed growth in Lake Simcoe and what can be done, see the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority website www.lsrca.on.ca or the Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition, www.rescuelakesimcoe.org