Milfoil Removal

 Unfortunately, monitoring is only the first step in control of invasive plants. Since about 1990 we have known that variable leaf milfoil has invaded Hogan Pond and occasionally the stream that connects Hogan and Whitney. HWPA has been an active participant in removal efforts to control the unwanted milfoil. In earlier years, HWPA constructed and placed benthic mats on the lake bottom that blocked the sun and prevented the plants from growing. While effective, this method was very labor-intensive and required eventual removal of the mats. More recently, HWPA has been using dive teams to hand-pull plants. In the past ten years, largely through the leadership of Rich Auren, we have successfully raised state grant funds and local match to support this cause including approximately $10,000/year, and have removed around 3,000 gallons of milfoil plants annually. Our efforts have been successful at keeping the channel between the two ponds largely clear and we have recently cleared large patches on the north end of Hogan. We continue to battle large infestations on the south end. The need for local financial support for this effort is ongoing and urgent.