Weather permitting today (Tues.), the City of Pierre will treat part of Lake Sharpe to kill Curly Pondweed currently blooming in the lake.
Curly Pondweed is a nuisance aquatic plant that grows from the lake bottom, forming dense mats that interfere with fishing, waterfowl hunting, water recreation and can deplete oxygen levels leading to fish kills.
City Park and Recreation director Tom Farnsworth says of particular concern is the area of water between the Causeway and Downs Marina. He says the Curly Pondweed in that area stretches from the bottom of the lake to about 18 inches from the surface of the water.
Farnsworth says aside from the environmental hazards of the weed, they’re concerned about swimming and boating safety. He says they don’t want boat motors, people or pets to be bothered by it.
A contractor will treat the water this morning using a spray boom attached to the back of a pontoon. The boom has drop lines that deposit the chemical treatment among the weeds. Exposure to it is not considered dangerous to people or animals.
Farnsworth says Pierre has treated the water in the past using a broadcast system that sprayed the chemical over the water. He says this more direct application has proven to have a stronger impact.
The City received a permit from the State of South Dakota to apply the chemical treatment.
