Beecher Lake has a well-developed and diverse aquatic plant community with an average floristic quality index of 34.7. The maximum rooting depth varies from 7 to 12 feet due to variations in water level and water clarity. Water clarity varies considerably from year-to-year based on the volume of tannin stained runoff from the lakes 2,800 acre watershed.Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) was discovered in Beecher and Upper Lakes in june 2007. Plant samples were collected and verified by the Freckman herbarium at UW-Stevens Point. A cursory survey of the lake in October 2007 found EWM was primarily limited to the Beecher lake basin with moderate to dense stands covering more than 6.5 acres.

Since the discovery of Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) in Beecher & Upper Lakes in 2007, the Beecher and Upper Lakes Protection & Rehabilitation District has been working to control the invasive plant in an effort to reduce its impact on the native plant community and recreational use of the lakes. In 2008 the District received an AIS Planning Grant to develop a comprehensive and sustainable aquatic plant management plan for Beecher & Upper Lakes. In 2010 the District received an aquatic Invasive Species Control Gant (ACEI-073-10.1) to implement the DNR approved Aquatic Plant Management Plan for Beecher Lake. The management plan includes a multi-faceted strategy to prevent Eurasian water milfoil domination in Beecher & Upper Lakes and preserve the diverse aquatic plant community. The strategy calles for EWM management via winter drawdown, selective use of aquatic herbicides, manual harvesting where applicable, and monitoring for the native milfoil weevil (Euhrychiopsis lecontei).

ACEI-073-10

CBCW-617000

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