In July 2011, Eurasian water milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) was discovered in the lake. Because of this, the Town of Barnes and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources commissioned an initial full point-intercept macrophyte survey on August 4, 2011. This was followed by a June 5, 2012 herbicide treatment. Despite many volunteer surveys to look for EWM in both 2012 and 2013, no evidence of surviving plants was found. Because of this, the TOB requested a follow up full point-intercept survey and SCUBA search of the treatment areas on August 19, 2013, SCUBA surveys in 2014, and two SCUBA and a final point-intercept survey in 2015. We also found no evidence of EWM in the lake during any of these SCUBA or point-intercept surveys.

In July 2011, Eurasian water milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) was discovered in the lake. Because of this, the Town of Barnes and the WDNR commissioned an August full point intercept macrophyte survey, and a follow-up EWM dive removal in preparation for developing an Aquatic Plant Management Plan for the lake. The August survey found macrophytes at 109 of the 224 total survey points. The 45 species found growing in and immediately adjacent to the lake produced a Simpson Index Value of 0.93. Plant growth was moderate with a mean total rake fullness value at vegetative sites of 1.80.

Macrophyte survey data from George Lake in 2011.

Photo of George Lake during a survey as part of AIRR-112-12.

Photo of George Lake during a survey as part of AIRR-112-12.

Photo of George Lake during a survey as part of AIRR-112-12.

Image of freshwater jellyfish in George Lake around on or before August

Image of freshwater jellyfish in George Lake around on or before August

Image of freshwater jellyfish in George Lake around on or before August

Image of freshwater jellyfish in George Lake around on or before August

Image of freshwater jellyfish in George Lake around on or before August 2011.

Image of freshwater jellyfish in George Lake around on or before August

project report