By Ruby Pratka
Local Journalism Initiative
The municipality of Cowansville and the Comité de sauvegarde du bassin versant du Lac Davignon (CSBVLD) are seeking volunteers for efforts aimed at preventing the spread of the invasive Eurasian watermilfoil. Volunteers are needed to help remove the tarps and weighted bags put down to prevent watermilfoil growth last year and place tarps in other strategic locations in the lake.
The work will be carried out in two phases, from June 17 to July 12 and from Aug. 1-16, in collaboration with experts from the Regroupement des associations pour la protection de l’environnement des lacs et des bassins versants (RAPPEL).
“In 2024, the Town of Cowansville reinvested $100,000 in the Fonds Bleu, a fund dedicated to protecting the lake. This fund will make it possible to carry out phase 2 of the vast operation. It is a necessary investment to maintain recreational activities and the biodiversity of the lake,” Cowansville Mayor Sylvie Beauregard said in a statement.
“Our committee will be mobilized again this year … to ensure that operations run smoothly,” said CSBVLD president Pierre St-Arnault. “We are counting on our many volunteers to help us.”
Watermilfoil has been present in Quebec lakes for several years and watermilfoil control is a priority for many lakeside municipalities. The dense, feathery clumps of watermilfoil crowd out native aquatic plants, get caught in fishing equipment and the motors of small boats, and inconvenience swimmers.
St-Arnault previously told the BCN that although it’s essentially impossible to eradicate watermilfoil, the goal of the initiative is to suffocate the invasive plant as much as possible. To do this, RAPPEL divers position large tarps in predetermined areas where the watermilfoil is abundant. Weighted bags are then dropped on the tarps to hold them in place, first by professional divers and then by volunteers piloting a pedalboat.
St-Arnault also emphasized the role of boaters in preventing the spread of invasive plant and shellfish species in the lake by washing their boats. “The Town of Cowansville has installed a boat washing station at the nature center in order to limit the introduction of invasive exotic aquatic species, including Eurasian milfoil. Other invasive species are on our doorstep, including the zebra mussel and other invasive aquatic plants. Let’s practise prevention by washing our boats,” St-Arnault said.
Anyone interested in volunteering to contribute to watermilfoil control efforts is encouraged to contact the CSBVLD via its website at lacdavignon.org.