Lake Maspenock has long been a centerpiece of local life, offering residents a serene setting for recreation and community gatherings. However, in recent years, the lake has grappled with a burgeoning problem: invasive aquatic vegetation, such as milfoil and pondweed, which had begun to proliferate at alarming rates.
These plants not only obstructed boating and fishing activities but also threatened local biodiversity. As the invasive species spread, their impact was felt acutely by residents who enjoyed the lake for swimming, boating, fishing, and other recreational activities.
The urgent need to restore the lake’s health, the town of Hopkinton undertook a comprehensive plan to manage and mitigate the invasive vegetation. The chosen solution was an herbicide treatment, a strategy supported by extensive years-long research and expert recommendations. This approach promised to be a precise and effective means of curbing the invasive plants without causing significant harm to the lake’s ecosystem.
On June 17th, 2024, Hopkinton took decisive action by implementing a targeted herbicide treatment, mostly affecting the north basin, to address the issue.
The Problem: Invasive Aquatic Vegetation
The Before photo above was taken in June, just before the treatment, and with the amount of weed growth, it already looked like what we typically see in the fall—indicating record growth in the early part of this year.
By contrast, the After photo shows that the herbicide was working, but did not kill all the plant life. That was the goal; to kill the invasive non-native weeds and leave the rest alone.
The Herbicide Treatment: A Strategic Intervention
The herbicide treatment implemented this spring was carefully planned and executed. Specialists conducted thorough assessments of the lake’s condition and developed a treatment regimen tailored to target the invasive species while minimizing impacts on native flora and fauna. The herbicide selected was applied at carefully controlled dosages to ensure efficacy and safety.
Residents of Hopkinton were kept informed throughout the process, with regular updates and community meetings ensuring transparency and addressing any concerns. The town’s proactive approach in engaging with residents and experts fostered a sense of trust and collaboration, setting the stage for the treatment’s success.
David Mitchell, Ph.D.: “The aquatic herbicide treatment conducted in June appears to have been very successful in control of the target invasive species in the areas treated,” said David Mitchell, Ph.D. a limnologist hired by the town.
Mitchell went on to say, “My conclusions noted that the results of the 2024 CIG aquatic vegetation surveys (spring and late summer surveys) and supporting SOLitude documentation (maps of treatment area and pre- and post-treatment vegetation mapping) indicate that the application of aquatic herbicide was highly effective in eliminating dense beds of targeted problematic invasive species in the water column of treated areas while still retaining populations of bottom-dwelling native species. No adverse effects to wildlife or ecological function were observed.”
The Positive Outcomes: The Community Rejoices
The results of the herbicide treatment have been nothing short of remarkable. The invasive plant species have been substantially reduced, leading to a dramatic improvement in the lake’s water clarity and overall health. Boating enthusiasts and anglers have reported a resurgence in their favorite activities, and the lake’s aesthetic appeal has been restored, enhancing its role as a community gathering spot.
Colleen & Don Doucette, lake residents: “While we live past the weed problem area, we have noticed that we don’t have to pull weeds off our prop after our double loop of the lake.“
Residents have expressed overwhelming satisfaction with the treatment’s outcomes. The lake’s rejuvenation has revitalized local recreational opportunities and rekindled a sense of pride among the community. Families are enjoying renewed access to water-based activities, and the enhanced beauty of Lake Maspenock has rekindled its role as a treasured local landmark.
Moreover, the successful treatment has provided a valuable case study in lake management and environmental stewardship.
Joan Hayes, lake resident: “The weed problem has greatly improved since the treatment. Before the treatment, the weeds were very thick and starting to clog the prop, but now they are almost gone. It was definitely the right decision to proceed with the treatment.”
The positive feedback from residents underscores the effectiveness of targeted herbicide treatment as a viable solution for managing invasive species. It also highlights the importance of community engagement and transparency in environmental decision-making.
Karen Campos was not on board with the herbicide treatment initially. When asked how she feels about being in the water after the herbicide treatment, this was her response:
Karen Campos, lake resident: “I feel pretty safe. It’s all relative. I guess I fear other things in this world more than this. No one was jumping up and down when we came to the conclusion that this [herbicide] is what we needed to do to be able to continue using our lake for full recreation. Balancing risks in life is what it’s all about.”
Looking Ahead: Sustaining the Success
While the herbicide treatment has yielded impressive results, the task of maintaining Lake Maspenock’s health is ongoing. The town of Hopkinton is committed to implementing a long-term management plan to prevent the resurgence of invasive species. This plan includes regular monitoring, preventive measures, and continued community involvement to ensure that the lake remains a vibrant and cherished resource for generations to come.
Bill Sweeney, lake resident: “Look Dad, no weeds!”
The successful herbicide treatment of Lake Maspenock is a testament to the power of informed, community-driven environmental action. The enthusiasm of Hopkinton’s residents reflects their deep connection to their local environment and their commitment to preserving its beauty and functionality.
Cathy Sweeney, lake resident: “The herbicide application created a better lake experience that was felt immediately. We had a great summer enjoying lake Maspenock.”
As Lake Maspenock continues to thrive, it stands as a shining example of how concerted efforts and collaborative approaches can overcome environmental challenges and enhance the quality of life in local communities.
Lake Maspenock was a source of joy and love throughout the Summer of 2024. The residents and everyone who enjoys this beautiful lake community would like to extend their heart-felt thanks to Kerry Reed, Director of the Department of Public Works, the Lake Maspenock Preservation Association board members (past and present), and the Citizens Input Group (past and present). These groups have worked tirelessly for over 10 years, researching and educating the public about the weed problem and potential solutions. After all options were thoroughly explored, they made the difficult decision to spot-treat the north basin with herbicide as a last resort.
Kerry Reed, Director, Department of Public Works (DPW): “In general it appears the weed treatment was successful. The survey results and the feedback I’ve received from the public suggest a significant reduction of weeds and improved recreational use.”
According to Reed, “The DPW will do a regular scheduled drawdown of the lake this year and will request to do an extended drawdown next year (2025). The DPW will continue to work with the Lake Maspenock Weed Management Citizen Input Group for recommended actions for next year.”
More Information on the lake weeds and treatment: here
Microbac Water testing of Lake Maspenock: here
Interesting history of Lake Maspenock: here
It was good to see the process that got us here and that this tool is part of a larger management system to try to improve and sustain the health of the lake with a community-led, multi-tiered, and science-based approach that is having successful results. A huge thank you to the many good folks that worked so hard to get us here. As home redevelopment continues to impact more lots within the lake watershed, we still have a lot of work to do to educate everyone on how we can proactively manage our properties in ways that help reduce nutrients we may be inadvertently contributing run-off and thereby adding nutrient load to the lake and driving further weed growth. Maybe the LMPA can work with the ConCom and Weston Nurseries to find an expert in that kind of landscaping practice that would be willing to do a virtual recorded seminar or presentation at a ConCom meeting that could go up on HCAM? That would be a benefit to the folks around not only Maspenock, but Whitehall and Hopkinton Reservoir as well!
As a lake resident with a child who is growing up swimming in Maspenock sometimes daily in the summer I think it’s way too early to use the word triumphant. Yes it was successful for now, but I am still very worried about any long term effects. Early in the spring we were seeing an abundance of birds on the lake… now they seem to be less. We seemed to have more dead fish at our dock at times. I don’t have any data to back it up but I think it’s too early to exactly celebrate.
It seems that those who zoom around in motorboats are happy. What I have observed is a significant reduction in wildlife especially shorebirds after the poisoning. It is a shame that a wildlife survey was not conducted prior to the poisoning. For those of us who kayak or paddleboard and enjoy observing nature, this year has been a disaster.