Now that the summer season has come to a close, the Lake Rescue Association (LRA) is incredibly proud to share the successes of our 2026 Eurasian Water Milfoil mitigation efforts on Lake Rescue and Lake Pauline.

Containing this aggressive, invasive species is a massive undertaking. While the spring growth initially felt overwhelming—compounded by heavy rains this spring that brought challenging silt into our waters—the dedication of our community completely turned the tide. By the end of the summer, the lakes were beautiful, clear, and the milfoil population was drastically reduced.

Our success relies on a multi-tiered approach combining state grant funding, professional mitigation, and unparalleled community volunteerism. Here is a summary of what we accomplished together this season:

1. State Funding & The Greeter Program

The LRA applies annually for grant funding from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. This year, we anticipate receiving close to $20,000 in state funds.

 The Impact: These crucial funds offset our annual fundraising needs and directly support our Greeter and Management Programs.

 Boat Inspections: This summer, our dedicated greeter at the Round Pond Fishing Access logged 292 hours across Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. By inspecting watercraft coming in and out of the lakes, they ensured no invasive species hitchhiked into our ecosystem, while preventing milfoil from spreading to other Vermont bodies of water.

2. Professional Diving & DASH Operations

State funding also supported our partnership with C&C Diving, who executed targeted, high-volume removal operations:

 Suction & Hand Harvesting: Utilizing a Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH) boat, the team extracted an incredible 4,200 gallons of milfoil from our lakes this summer. For tight or shallow spaces where the boat couldn't maneuver, the divers meticulously hand-harvested the remaining plants.

 Bottom Barriers: To smother dense, highly infested areas, the dive team deployed bottom barriers. We purchased 20 additional barriers this year, bringing our total inventory to 100 mats. Divers strategically shifted these barriers to new locations throughout the season as target areas were successfully cleared.

3. Powerhouse Volunteer Efforts

Our paid programs are amplified by an extraordinary team of local volunteers. This season, the LRA will officially report 362 volunteer hours to the state of Vermont. Our volunteers stood on the front lines by:

 Surveying the lakes to track and map new growth.

 Hand-harvesting shallow infestations.

 Marking deep, dense patches with buoys to alert our professional dive team.

 Collecting and disposing of floating fragments, which were exceptionally heavy this year due to early-season weather.

Looking Ahead

Protecting these lakes ensures they remain a safe, vibrant haven for the fishing, boating, paddle-boarding, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and water skiing we all enjoy.

As we head into a relaxing winter, we do so knowing the battle resumes in the spring. The milfoil will return, and the LRA will be ready to go on the offensive once again. We are already preparing our next grant application to the state to secure the resources needed for the 2027 season.

Thank you deeply to every volunteer, employee, and donor who gives so generously of their time and resources to protect our wonderful natural treasure.

Warmly,

The Lake Rescue Association Board

Serving Lake Rescue and Lake Pauline