Lake Oakland Plant Control Program
Next Treatment
Spring 2026
Next Harvest
Summer 2026
Nuisance aquatic plant control is the primary focus of the Lake Oakland improvement program. In managing aquatic plants, it is important to remember that most plants are beneficial to the lake. The objective of a sound aquatic plant control program is to remove plants only from problem areas where nuisance growth is occurring. Excessive removal of aquatic plants can have negative consequences. For example, broad-spectrum herbicide treatments can result in algae blooms and reduced water clarity which, in turn, can be detrimental to the fishery. Maintaining a diversity of native plants is as important as controlling nuisance and exotic species.
Historical Plant Control Reports
Lake Oakland Plant Survey Maps
The Lake Oakland plant control program focuses primarily on invasive, exotic species. An exotic species is one that is found outside of its natural range. Exotic plant species that are potentially a threat to Lake Oakland include Eurasian/hybrid milfoil, curly-leaf pondweed, and starry stonewort. Early detection and rapid response is key to effective control of invasive aquatic plant species. The Lake Oakland plant control program includes multiple plant surveys to detect invasive and nuisance plants and as well as targeted herbicide treatments and mechanical harvesting to control nuisance plant growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who oversees the plant control program?
Plant control activities are coordinated under the direction of the lake board's environmental consultant, Progressive AE. In a normal year, beginning in May and continuing through August, biologists from Progressive Companies conduct GPS-guided surveys of the entire lake to identify problem areas, and detailed plant control maps are provided to the plant control contractor. Progressive then conducts follow-up surveys to evaluate contractor performance, and provide status reports to the lake board.
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Who determines when and where treatments occur?
Treatment timing and locations are determined by biologists from Progressive Companies after an analysis of survey results. Other factors such as weather, EGLE Aquatic Nuisance Control permit restrictions, and contractor availability also play a role in the execution of plant control activities.
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Why are there so many weeds in the lake?
Lake Oakland supports abundant plant growth for a number of reasons:
• Lake Oakland has over 9 miles of shoreline and many canals and isolated bays where “still waters” favor plant growth.
• About 76% (over 235 acres) of Lake Oakland is less than 10 feet deep and is shallow enough to support plant growth.
• With the construction of the Clintonville Dam that created Lake Oakland, fertile lowland soils were inundated creating an ideal lake bottom for plants to grow.
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Why are there still plants in the lake following treatments?
Not all plants are treated. The goal of the program is to strike a balance by controlling invasive plant species and maintaining beneficial species. We do not want to remove all the plants in the lake. This would be bad for the fishery and cause a host of other problems, such as massive algae blooms.
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Is there a permanent fix to the problem?
If conditions are favorable, aquatic plants will grow. However, there are things property owners can do to help minimize the amount of plants in the lake such as limiting the use of lawn fertilizers and maintaining natural vegetation along the shoreline to act as a filter for nutrients that wash into the lake. For more information on how to protect Lake Oakland over the long term, click on the Watershed tab above.
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Are herbicide treatments safe?
The aquatic herbicides that are permitted by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), are registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). Before herbicides are approved for use in public trust waters, they also undergo toxicological review by EGLE. In Michigan, aquatic herbicide use requires an EGLE permit. The permit lists herbicides approved for use in the lake, respective dose rates, and shows the specific areas in the lake where treatments are allowed. If herbicides are applied according to label instructions and permit requirements, they should pose no danger to public health and the environment.
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How will I know about use restrictions?
All lake residents receive a written notice in the spring regarding pending treatments. The written notice will list all potential herbicides that may be used and what the resultant use restrictions would be. The day before treatment, the state required treatment sign will be posted in all areas within 100 feet of treatment areas complete with a list of herbicides used and the associated use restrictions. If there is no sign posted along your property, it means that your area was not treated and there are no use restrictions.
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When is it safe to swim after a treatment?
All herbicides have a 24-hour swimming restriction that will be posted on signs along areas of the shore that have been treated. However, if you do not have a sign posted or the sign indicates that only algaecides were applied, there are no swimming restrictions.
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When can I water my lawn following a treatment?
If you draw water from the lake for irrigation, be sure to read the sign posted along your shoreline at the time of treatment. Most irrigation restrictions do not apply to established lawns. However, it you water flowers or a garden, adhere to the irrigation restrictions posted on the sign.
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How about a pre-emptive strike?
To be effective, aquatic herbicides must be applied directly to the plant beds when the plants are actively growing. There are no approved pre-emergence aquatic herbicides like there are for agriculture.
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How do the treatments impact fish?
If applied properly, herbicides have no direct impacts on fish. In general, lakes with a variety of plants often support more productive fisheries. The plant control program in Lake Oakland is designed to remove invasive plants while preserving plants that provide habitat and cover for fish.
Why didn’t my property get treated?
Treatments occur where the targeted invasive plants are found during the lake surveys. Not every property gets treated every time; your property may have plants, but if it doesn’t contain the targeted invasive plants, it’s not treated.
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Why do the harvesters stop at the end of my dock?
Mechanical harvesters are large pieces of equipment and generally need two to three feet of water depth for operation. In addition, wind and wave action can move the machines and cause damage to moored boats and docks. For liability and safety reasons, harvesting equipment is generally operated along the end of docks into deeper water, and not in between docks and close to shore.
What is Chara?
Chara is one of the most common plants in Lake Oakland. Although it looks like a rooted aquatic plant, Chara is actually a type of algae. Chara is considered to be a beneficial plant in that it is low-growing and therefore does not interfere with navigation; it forms a net-like mat at the bottom which helps to hold sediments in place; it absorbs nutrients and helps to improve water clarity; it is an important food source for waterfowl; and it provides habitat for fish and wildlife. Chara closely resembles the exotic plant starry stonewort that, unlike Chara, tends to grow higher in the water column and can negatively impact recreation and fish habitat.