Eurasian Watermilfoil – Lac Gagnon
Eurasian watermilfoil is a non-native, highly invasive aquatic plant. Fragments of this plant disperse with water currents and regrow. To our knowledge, there is no Eurasian watermilfoil in Lac Gagnon. However, it is found in many lakes around us. Given its proximity to the Duhamel lakes, we need to step up our prevention and education efforts to stop this plant from taking root here. These efforts are nothing compared to the cost and energy that would be required if there were an infestation in Lac Gagnon, not to mention the immense loss of property value around the lake.
Economic and social impacts
- It negatively affects fish and wildlife populations as well as human activities such as swimming, boating, waterskiing, fishing and tourism.
- It can also have a significant economic impact on property values.
Identifying Eurasian watermilfoil
Do you know how to recognize Eurasian Watermilfoil?
The best means of prevention is to wash all watercraft coming to the lake from another body of water. This includes motorized boats, canoes, kayaks, pedalos, sailboards, etc., as well as fishing gear. Shoreline residents are responsible for ensuring that boating equipment launched on their property is clean and free of any contaminants that may come from another lake.
FREE – Pressurized hot water cleaning station in Duhamel
The Sentinelles are a team of property owners who volunteer to inspect the Lac Gagnon shoreline to ensure that Eurasian watermilfoil has not taken hold. In partnership with the municipality, each volunteer is trained in Eurasian watermilfoil identification and assigned a territory to monitor. Contact us if you would like to be part of the Sentinelles team.
(July 15, 2022) Outaouais research project (English only).
(June 22, 2022) A news article on the threat of watermilfoil. A must-read for anyone concerned about the health of our wonderful lake.
(August 10, 2020) A news article on the threat of watermilfoil. A must-read for anyone concerned about the health of our wonderful lake.
A study and map of over 800 lakes in Quebec. Our lake ranks very high. It is considered oligotrophic, which means that it is young, clear, deep, and poor in nutrients like phosphorus. It contains few plants and is well-oxygenated, with no invasive plants. It is considered a body of water to be protected. It's up to us to do so.
Take the time to enlarge the map. Not all lakes are as good as ours.
(June 10, 2020) Excellent article in Le Droit on the fight against Eurasian Watermilfoil in the Duhamel lakes. The article cites the APLG as the initiator of the project.
