Douglas County Aquatic Plant Surveys 2019-2021 Summary

Background
- Create directory of known Douglas County aquatic plant data
- Incomplete, outdated records available from the state or local lake associations

Project Scope
- Survey 45 lakes over 3-year period
o Nearly every lake in the county with a public water access
- Objectives
o Point-intercept survey to assess whole aquatic plant community in a lake
o Meander survey to look for invasive plants, such as Eurasian watermilfoil and
starry stonewort
o Intensive searches near public water accesses where plant introductions are
most likely to occur

Results
- 45 lake surveys completed over 3-year period (15/year)
o 2019: Brophy, Burgren, Carlos, Cowdry, Darling, Geneva, Ida, Indian, Irene,
Latoka, Louise, Mary, Miltona, Mina, Vermont
o 2020: Andrew, Blackwell, Crooked, Freeborn, Gilbert, Grants, Lobster, Mill,
Osakis, Oscar, Pocket, Rachel, Red Rock, Reno, Round
o 2021: Aaron, Chippewa, Devils, Le Homme Dieu, Little Chippewa, Long, Maple,
Moon, Moses, Smith, Stowe, Turtle, Union, Victoria, Whiskey
- No new infestations found
- Identified extent of Eurasian watermilfoil infestation in Lake Carlos and Indian Lake
o Now being actively managed
- Identified seasonal zebra mussel distribution based on attachment to plant samples
- Determined native aquatic plant distribution, richness, and abundance in surveyed lakes
o Baseline knowledge established, can make comparisons to future surveys

2022 Plans
- Continue monitoring and detection activities on busy, high-risk lakes
- Propose to survey an 8-lake subset of lakes first surveyed in 2019
 Underwater View of Water Celery in Brophy Lake, Douglas County, MN

Summary of Aquatic Invasive Species and

Aquatic Plant Surveys for 45 Selected
Douglas County Lakes, Minnesota, 2019-2021

Prepared for: Prepared by:

Douglas County Land and Steve McComas
Resource Management Jo Stuckert
Connor McComas
Blue Water Science
St. Paul, MN 55116

March 18, 2022

 Summary of Aquatic Invasive Species and
Aquatic Plant Surveys for 45 Selected
Douglas County Lakes, Minnesota, 2019-2021
Aquatic plant point intercept surveys, meander surveys, and public access meander surveys were
conducted for 45 Douglas County lakes over the growing seasons of 2019, 2020, and 2021. A map of
lake locations is shown in Figure 1 and an overview of survey results for native plants is shown in Table
1.

The AIS objectives were to assess aquatic plant communities and search for non-natives, with focus
on new introductions like starry stonewort (SSW). Zebra mussel distribution and coverage information
was also recorded. AIS surveys found no SSW in any of the 45 lakes. Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM)
was observed in 5 lakes and curlyleaf pondweed was found in 13 lakes. Zebra mussels were sampled
in 27 out of the 45 lakes surveyed (Table 2).

Location of Douglas County Lakes Surveyed in 2019, 2020, and 2021

Figure 1. Location of the selected 45 waterbodies in Douglas County.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 1

Lake Characteristics and Native Plant Overview for 45 Selected Douglas
County Lakes
Table 1. Summary of aquatic plant surveys in Douglas County lakes in 2019, 2020, and 2021 (lakes w ith 15 or more
species are shown with gray shading).

Date Lake Littoral Shoreline Clarity Number of Average Plant Max Native
Surveyed Size (ac) (miles) (ft) Submerged Number Density Depth of Plant
(ac) (MnDNR Plant of Plant Average Plants Coverage
LakeFinder) Species Species Per (0 to 3) (ft) % Over the
Sample Whole
Point Lake
2019
Brophy – 1 access (21-010200) 8-21-19 297 164 3.5 10 13 3.2 1.1 18 28%
Burgen – 1 access (21-004900) 8-9-19 174 47 2.7 5 11 1.2 1.0 11 21%
Carlos – 4 accesses (21-005700) 8-8,9-19 2,605 922 12.8 17 25 3.1 1.1 20 41%
Cowdry – 1 access (21-010300) 8-21-19 243 86 3.1 14 16 3.8 1.2 20 39%
Darling – 1 access (resort)(21-008000) 8-8-19 1,050 554 6.8 11 21 3.4 1.2 19 61%
Geneva – 2 accesses (21-005200) 7-10-19 640 295 5.2 14 20 4.0 1.1 18 44%
Ida – 3 accesses (21-012300) 7-16-19 4,431 1,751 22.4 10 22 2.5 1.1 21 48%
Indian – 1 access (21-013600) 8-21-19 99 70 2.4 9 5 1.6 .2 13 35%
Irene – 2 accesses (21-007600) 8-16-19 639 240 4.17 9.8 17 3.4 1.1 13 36%
Latoka – 2 accesses (21010600) 7-25-19 767 269 8.6 14 16 2.1 1.1 18 41%
Louise – 1 access (21-009400) 8-20-19 214 98 2.2 10 17 3.6 1.1 20 47%
Mary – 2 accesses (21-009200) 7-26-19 2,450 1,097 11.7 5.3 22 1.9 1.0 20 41%
Miltona – 3 accesses (21-008300) 8-15-19 5724 2758 17.31 13.1 25 2.2 1.0 20 52%
Mina – 1 access (21-010800) 7-16-19 411 158 6.9 10 16 1.9 1.1 17 41%
Vermont – 1 access (21-007300) 8-20-19 338 217 6.37 16.4 22 3.9 1.1 21 66%

2020
Andrew - 1 access (21-0085) 7.22.20 923 823 5.59 9.8 17 2.1 1.1 13 29%
Blackwell – 1 access (21-0151) 8.24.20 307 203 5.22 9.8 13 2.7 1.3 16 57%
Crooked – 1 access (21-0199) 7.23.20 281 98 6.23 7.9 18 1.8 1.1 12 29%
Freeborn – 1 access (21-0162) 7.23.20 248 172 3.46 6.6 17 1.5 1.1 12 28%
Gilbert – 1 access (21-0189) 8.19.20 202 190 2.82 3.3 11 1.1 1.1 11 66%
Grants – 1 access (21-0150) 8.20.20 177 64 2.51 9.8 9 0.9 1.1 8 17%
Lobster – 1 access (21-0144) 8.19.20 1334 693 17.33 8.0 20 2.6 1.1 18 54%
Mill – 1 access (21-0180) 8.19-20.20 451 196 5.37 9.8 17 2.7 1.1 18 47%
Osakis – 3 accesses (77-0215) 8.4-5.20 6389 3389 26.77 9.8 18 1.8 1.1 13 46%
Oscar – 1 access (21-0257) 7.22.20 1231 827 18.43 5.8 18 3.0 1.2 20 35%
Pocket - 1 access (21-0140) 7.13.20 263 110 4.28 6.6 14 1.9 1.0 11 36%
Rachel - 1 access (21-0160) 7.13.20 448 104 6.27 9.8 15 3.4 1.1 18 28%
Red Rock – 1 access (21-0291) 7.29.20 903 520 11.87 3.3 10 0.8 1.1 8 28%
Reno – 2 accesses (61-0078) 7.28.20 3809 2029 11.59 6.6 14 1.0 1.0 12 31%
Round – 1 access (21-0197) 8.19.20 81 36 1.44 6.6 16 1.3 1.1 18 30%

2021
Aaron - 1 access (21-0242) 8.6.21 610 467 4.9 6.56 14 1.9 1.3 13 64%
Chippewa - 1 access (21-0145) 8.17.21 1,186 551 14.15 9.84 11 1.3 1.1 13 35%
Devils - 1 access (21-0213) 8.6.21 234 164 3.15 6.56 11 1.6 1.4 14 63%
Le Homme Dieu - 2 access (21-0056) 8.5.21 1,801 879 10.07 13.12 20 3.0 1.1 20 62%
Little Chippewa - 1 access (21-0212) 8.17.21 269 148 2.67 9.84 12 2.6 1.3 15 49%
Long - 1 access (21-0343) 8.5.21 202 201 3.93 3.28 1 0.0 1.0 2 1%
Maple - 2 access (21-0079) 8.18.21 831 405 9.09 9.8 19 2.3 1.2 16 50%
Moon - 1 access (21-0226) 8.6.21 139 45 2.7 16.4 14 3.1 1.3 19 39%
Moses - 1 access (21-0245) 8.6.21 824 393 4.53 16.4 9 0.9 1.3 29 42%
Smith - 1 access (21-0016) 7.20.21 666 364 6.05 6.56 13 1.3 1.1 17 49%
Stowe - 1 access (21-0264) 8.17.21 376 389 4.02 6.56 4 0.3 1.0 7 14%
Turtle - 1 access (21-0090) 8.18.21 218 192 3.07 6.56 11 2.0 1.3 13 54%
Union - 1 access (21-0041) 7.20.21 107 57 1.76 13.12 15 2.5 1.1 19 48%
Victoria - 1 access (21-0054) 8.17.21 417 131 6.53 13.12 15 3.3 1.3 18 30%
Whiskey - 1 access (21-0216) 8.5.21 160 73 2.39 9.84 15 2.8 1.2 20 53%

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 2

AIS Survey Results of 45 Selected Douglas County Lakes
Table 2. Douglas County lake AIS observations from 2019-2021. Observations are based on both point intercept and
meandering points except for zebra mussels where coverage is based just on the point intercept survey.

Starry Stonewort Curlyleaf Pondweed Eurasian Watermilfoil Zebra Mussels

(number of sites) (number of sites) (number of sites) (% coverage)(year confirmed)
2019
Brophy – 1 access (21-010200) 28% (2010)
Burgen – 1 access (21-004900) 13% (2017)
Carlos – 4 accesses (21-005700) 1 3 (new) 38% (2009)
Cowdry – 1 access (21-010300) 27% (2011)
Darling – 1 access (resort)(21-008000) 60% (2010)
Geneva – 2 accesses (21-005200) 1
Ida – 3 accesses (21-012300) 15 34% (2014)
Indian – 1 access (21-013600) 15
Irene – 2 accesses (21-007600) 3 27% (2011)
Latoka – 2 accesses (21010600) 1% (2013)
Louise – 1 access (21-009400) 27% (2015)
Mary – 2 accesses (21-009200) 2 31% (2013)
Miltona – 3 accesses (21-008300) 46% (2012)
Mina – 1 access (21-010800) 5% (2014)
Vermont – 1 access (21-007300)
2020
Andrew - 1 access (21-0085) 24% (2016)
Blackwell – 1 access (21-0151)
Crooked – 1 access (21-0199) 1
Freeborn – 1 access (21-0162)
Gilbert – 1 access (21-0189)
Grants – 1 access (21-0150)*
Lobster – 1 access (21-0144) 46% (2016)
Mill – 1 access (21-0180) 38% (2015)
Osakis – 3 accesses (77-0215) 14 36% (2016)
Oscar – 1 access (21-0257) 5 22% (2019)
Pocket - 1 access (21-0140) 4
Rachel - 1 access (21-0160)
Red Rock – 1 access (21-0291)
Reno – 2 accesses (61-0078) 1 25% (2018)
Round – 1 access (21-0197) 11
2021
Aaron - 1 access (21-0242) 8% (2020)
Chippewa - 1 access (21-0145) 28% (2017)
Devils - 1 access (21-0213) 39% (2017)
Le Homme Dieu - 2 access (21-0056) 5 46% (2009)
Little Chippewa - 1 access (21-0212) 40% (2017)
Long - 1 access (21-0343)
Maple - 2 access (21-0079) 39% (2013)
Moon - 1 access (21-0226)
Moses - 1 access (21-0245)
Smith - 1 access (21-0016) 13
Stowe - 1 access (21-0264)
Turtle - 1 access (21-0090) 2 26% (2014)
Union - 1 access (21-0041) 3
Victoria - 1 access (21-0054) 1 30% (2009)
Whiskey - 1 access (21-0216) 41% (2017)
Number of lakes with AIS 13 5 27
*Grants Lake: Flowering rush observed

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 3

Aquatic Plant Species in 45 Douglas County Lakes 2019-2021
A summary of aquatic plant species and the number of lakes a specific species was found for 2019-
2021 is shown in Table 3. Five plant species found in at least 40 out of the 45 surveyed lakes included
bulrush, coontail, chara, northern watermilfoil, and sago pondweed.

Table 3. The number of lakes with each species of aquatic plants for 45 Douglas County lakes. Red shading is for
aquatic invasive plant species.

Common Name Scientific Name Number of Lakes with This Species Present
2019 2020 2021 Total
(15 lakes) (15 lakes) (15 lakes) (45 lakes)
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) 1 1 2
Smartweed (Polygonum amphibium) 1 1
Sagittaria (Sagittaria sp) 1 1 2
Bulrush (Scirpus sp) 14 15 12 41
Cattails (Typha sp) 3 8 8 19
Wild rice (Zizania aquatica) 1 1
Watershield (Brasenia schreberi) 1 1
Duckweed (Lemna sp) 2 1 1 4
Spatterdock (Nuphar variegatum) 10 5 15
White waterlilies (Nymphaea sp) 4 4 3 11
Marsh marigold (Bidens Beckii) 7 1 1 9
Coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) 15 15 13 43
Chara - deep (Chara sp) 6 6
Chara - shallow (Chara sp) 14 14 13 41
Moss (Drepanocladus spp) 2 2 2 6
Spike rush (Eleocharis palustris) 2 1 3
Elodea (Elodea canadensis) 12 9 7 28
Elodea - 2 (Elodea canadensis) 1 1
Water stargrass (Heteranthera dubia) 9 9 7 25
Marestail (Hippuris vulgaris) 3 1 4
Star duckweed (L. trisulca) 3 4 5 12
Northern watermilfoil (Myriophyllum sibiricum) 14 15 13 42
Eurasian watermilfoil (M. spicatum) 2 2 1 5
Naiads (Najas flexilis) 12 12 10 34
Naiads - 2 (Najas flexilis) 1 1
Spiny naiads (Najas sp) 2 3 3 8
Nitella (Nitella sp) 4 3 4 11
Cabbage (Potamogeton amplifolius) 6 4 10
Curlyleaf pondweed (P. crispus) 5 4 4 13
Stringy pondweed (P. filiformis) 2 2
Narrowleaf pondweed (P. foliosus) 1 1
Fries pondweed (P. friesii) 12 8 7 27
Variable pondweed (P. gramineus) 5 5
Illinois pondweed (P. illinoensis) 14 10 10 34
Floatingleaf pondweed (P. natan) 10 9 6 25
Whitestem pondweed (P. praelongus) 13 11 8 32
Stringy pondweed (P. pusillus) 2 2 4
Claspingleaf pondweed (P. richardsonii) 13 14 11 38
Stringy pondweed (P. sp) 12 9 5 26
Pondweed (P. sp) 4 4
Stringy pondweed - branched (P. sp) 1 1
Narrowleaf/Stringy pondweed (P. strictifolius) 1 6 7
Flatstem pondweed (P. zosteriformis) 14 13 6 33
Buttercup (Ranunculus sp) 4 2 6
Widgeon grass (Ruppia sp) 2 1 5 8
Sago pondweed (Stuckenia filiformis) 14 1 6 21
Sago pondweed (S. pectinata) 14 14 14 42
Bladderwort (Ultricularia sp) 12 8 10 30
Water celery (Vallisneria americana) 12 5 5 22
Horned pondweed (Zannichellia palustris) 4 4

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 4

Point Intercept Survey Aquatic Plant Species Percent Occurrence for
2019 Douglas County Lakes

Table 4. The percent occurrence of aquatic plants for 15 Douglas County lakes in 2019. Percent occurrence is calculated
based on the number of times a plant species occurs at a sampling station div ided into the total number of stations w ithin
the plant growing zone for the survey. Orange shading highlights the dominant aquatic plant species in the lake.

Common Name Scientific Name Brophy Burgen Carlos Cowdry Darling Geneva Ida Indian
Bulrush (Scirpus sp) 7 9 10 1 4 5 4
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
Smartweed (Polygonum amphibium) 2
Sagittaria (Sagittaria sp)
Cattails (Typha sp)
Wild rice (Zizania aquatica)
Duckweed (Lemna sp) 1 1
Spatterdock (Nuphar variegatum) 2 19 1 1 1 1 2
White waterlilies (Nymphaea sp) 3 2 4
Marsh marigold (Bidens Beckii) 1 1 5
Coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) 95 4 27 74 45 58 30 78
Chara - shallow (Chara sp) 15 70 65 14 36 14 52
Chara - deep (Chara sp) 3 4 2
Moss (Drepanocladus spp)
Elodea (Elodea canadensis) 1 2 10 1 11 7
Elodea - 2 (Elodea canadensis)
Water stargrass (Heteranthera dubia) 2 2 2 4 3 1
Marestail (Hippuris vulgaris) 1 1
Star duckweed (L. trisulca) 5
Northern watermilfoil (Myriophyllum sibiricum) 63 4 1 58 46 44 24
Eurasian watermilfoil (M. spicatum) 1 8
Naiads (Najas flexilis) 21 15 9 22 10 16
Naiads - 2 (Najas flexilis)
Spiny naiads (Najas sp) 1
Nitella (Nitella sp)
Cabbage (Potamogeton amplifolius)
Curlyleaf pondweed (P. crispus) 1 1 7
Narrowleaf pondweed (P. foliosus) 25
Fries pondweed (P. Friesii) 3 2 24 3 24 13
Variable pondweed (P. gramineus) 3 2 2
Illinois pondweed (P. illinoensis) 2 17 8 9 13 1 12
Floatingleaf pondweed (P. natan) 1 7 1 12
Whitestem pondweed (P. praelongus) 3 2 9 11 1 16 12
Stringy pondweed (P. pusillus)
Claspingleaf pondweed (P. Richardsonii) 14 17 15 25 20 1
Pondweed (P. sp) 2 1 1 1
Stringy pondweed (P. sp) 3 2 1 1 2 12 3
Stringy pondweed - branched (P. sp)
Narrowleaf/Stringy pondweed (P. strictifolius)
Flatstem pondweed (P. zosteriformis) 17 9 7 18 12 13 35
Buttercup (Ranunculus sp) 4 1 9
Widgeon grass (Ruppia sp) 2
Sago pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata) 13 9 15 12 13 5 7
Bladderwort (Ultricularia sp) 39 56 22 35 19 25
Water celery (Vallisneria americana) 33 9 43 32 14 12 57
Depth of Plant Growth (feet) 18 11 20 20 19 18 21 15
Whole Lake Aquatic Plant Coverage (%) 48 21 41 39 60 44 47 41
Total submerged species 13 11 25 16 21 20 22 5

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 5

Table 4 concluded. The percent occurrence of aquatic plants for 15 Douglas County lakes in 2019. Percent occurrence is
calculated based on the number of times a plant species occurs at a sampling station div ided into the total number of
stations within the plant growing zone for the survey. Orange shading highlights the dominant aquatic plant species in the
lake.

Common Name Scientific Name Irene Latoka Louise Mary Miltona Mina Vermont Number
of lakes
(2019) with this
species
present
Bulrush (Scirpus sp) 17 7 3 23 7 23 4 14
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) 2 1
Smartweed (Polygonum amphibium) 1
Sagittaria (Sagittaria sp) 1 1
Cattails (Typha sp) 1 1 7 3
Wild rice (Zizania aquatica) 1 1
Duckweed (Lemna sp) 2
Spatterdock (Nuphar variegatum) 9 3 13 10
White waterlilies (Nymphaea sp) 1 4
Marsh marigold (Bidens Beckii) 2 4 1 4 7
Coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) 89 18 69 22 16 8 45 15
Chara - shallow (Chara sp) 18 89 22 34 56 81 6 14
Chara - deep (Chara sp) 3 26 11 6
Moss (Drepanocladus spp) 1 1 2
Elodea (Elodea canadensis) 23 2 18 9 3 18 12
Elodea - 2 (Elodea canadensis) 5 1
Water stargrass (Heteranthera dubia) 19 5 2 9
Marestail (Hippuris vulgaris) 1 3
Star duckweed (L. trisulca) 34 1 3
Northern watermilfoil (Myriophyllum sibiricum) 55 25 68 9 11 8 45 14
Eurasian watermilfoil (M. spicatum) 2
Naiads (Najas flexilis) 4 1 17 3 17 27 12
Naiads - 2 (Najas flexilis) 1 1
Spiny naiads (Najas sp) 1 2
Nitella (Nitella sp) 9 1 3 3 4
Cabbage (Potamogeton amplifolius) 4 13 1 1 1 9 6
Curlyleaf pondweed (P. crispus) 3 1 5
Narrowleaf pondweed (P. foliosus) 1
Fries pondweed (P. Friesii) 8 3 1 6 7 7 12
Variable pondweed (P. gramineus) 4 1 5
Illinois pondweed (P. illinoensis) 1 4 3 7 11 5 3 14
Floatingleaf pondweed (P. natan) 6 1 1 1 3 8 10
Whitestem pondweed (P. praelongus) 21 6 14 1 2 34 13
Stringy pondweed (P. pusillus) 7 3 2
Claspingleaf pondweed (P. Richardsonii) 13 2 9 1 7 4 1 13
Pondweed (P. sp) 4
Stringy pondweed (P. sp) 2 9 1 3 7 12
Stringy pondweed - branched (P. sp) 1 1
Narrowleaf/Stringy pondweed (P. strictifolius) 2 1
Flatstem pondweed (P. zosteriformis) 36 7 40 1 8 1 60 14
Buttercup (Ranunculus sp) 1 4
Widgeon grass (Ruppia sp) 1 2
Sago pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata) 7 7 13 8 4 8 7 14
Bladderwort (Ultricularia sp) 27 17 34 33 52 4 12
Water celery (Vallisneria americana) 17 2 21 9 46 12
Depth of Plant Growth (feet) 13 18 16 17 20 17 21
Whole Lake Aquatic Plant Coverage (%) 36 40 49 41 52 26 71
Total submerged species 17 16 17 22 25 15 22

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 6

Point Intercept Survey Aquatic Plant Species Percent Occurrence for
2020 Douglas County Lakes

Table 5. The percent occurrence of aquatic plants for 15 Douglas County lakes in 2020. Percent occurrence is calculated
based on the number of times a plant species occurs at a sampling station div ided into the total number of stations w ithin
the plant growing zone for the survey. Orange shading highlights the dominant aquatic plant species in the lake.

Common Name Scientific Name Andrew BlackwellCrookedFreeborn Gilbert Grants Lobster Mill
Bulrush (Scirpus sp) 31 2 7 4 7 2 8 6
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) 2
Cattails (Typha sp) 2 13 6 14
Duckweed (Lemna sp)
White waterlilies (Nymphaea ordata) 32 5
Marsh marigold (Bidens Beckii)
Coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) 16 64 32 33 48 8 71 80
Chara - shallow (Chara sp) 47 18 32 22 51 10 3
Moss (Drepanocladus spp)
Spike rush (Eleocharis palustris) 32 3 1
Elodea (Elodea canadensis) 7 3 3 1 10
Water stargrass (Heteranthera dubia) 6 3 3 22 1 12
Marestail (Hippuris vulgaris)
Star duckweed (L. trisulca) 1 13
Northern watermilfoil (Myriophyllum sibiricum) 18 72 22 47 1 24 41 52
Eurasian watermilfoil (M. spicatum)
Naiads (Najas flexilis) 35 12 3 6 1 6 1
Spiny naiads (Najas marina) 5 4
Nitella (Nitella sp) 2
Cabbage (Potamogeton amplifolius)
Curlyleaf pondweed (P. crispus) 2
Stringy pondweed (P. filiformis) 3
Fries pondweed (P. friesii) 4 2 21 12 10
Illinois pondweed (P. illinoensis) 7 13 28 13 8 3 1
Floatingleaf pondweed (P. natans) 4 3 10 1 3 49 1
Whitestem pondweed (P. praelongus) 4 1 17 3 6 14
Stringy pondweed (P. pusillus)
Claspingleaf pondweed (P. richardsonii) 15 21 2 10 3 8 3
Stringy pondweed (P. sp) 11 4 1 6 11
Flatstem pondweed (P. zosteriformis) 18 19 33 19 10 9 11
Ruppia (Ruppia occidentalis)
Sago pondweed (Stuckenia filiformis) 2
Sago pondweed (S. pectinata) 13 5 24 16 2 10 7
Bladderwort (Ultricularia sp) 11 4 28 6
Water celery (Vallisneria americana) 2 8 6
Horned pondweed (Zannichellia palustris) 32 3 1
Number of sites in growing zone 55 107 60 72 108 51 146 156
Depth of Plant Growth (feet) 13 16 12 12 11 8 18 18
Whole Lake Aquatic Plant Coverage (%) 29 56 29 34 66 16 54 47
Total submerged species 15 13 15 15 11 9 19 17

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 7

Table 5 concluded. The percent occurrence of aquatic plants for 15 Douglas County lakes in 2020. Percent occurrence is
calculated based on the number of times a plant species occurs at a sampling station div ided into the total number of
stations within the plant growing zone for the survey. Orange shading highlights the dominant aquatic plant species in the
lake.

Common Name Scientific Name Osakis Oscar Pocket Rachel Red Reno Round Number of
Rock lakes with
(2020) this
species
present
Bulrush (Scirpus sp) 14 2 11 2 2 3 3 15
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) 1
Cattails (Typha sp) 2 6 2 2 8
Duckweed (Lemna sp) 1 1
White waterlilies (Nymphaea ordata) 2 6 4
Marsh marigold (Bidens Beckii) 2 1
Coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) 50 50 60 86 25 31 14 15
Chara - shallow (Chara sp) 24 4 22 5 9 21 11 14
Moss (Drepanocladus spp) 1 3 2
Spike rush (Eleocharis palustris) 2
Elodea (Elodea canadensis) 33 1 13 3 9
Water stargrass (Heteranthera dubia) 7 19 1 9
Marestail (Hippuris vulgaris) 1 1
Star duckweed (L. trisulca) 10 2 4
Northern watermilfoil (Myriophyllum sibiricum) 37 17 15 62 2 9 3 15
Eurasian watermilfoil (M. spicatum) 4 31 2
Naiads (Najas flexilis) 1 11 2 6 6 12
Spiny naiads (Najas marina) 22 3
Nitella (Nitella sp) 4 2 3
Cabbage (Potamogeton amplifolius) 1 3 3 6 4
Curlyleaf pondweed (P. crispus) 4 6 1 4
Stringy pondweed (P. filiformis) 1 2
Fries pondweed (P. friesii) 7 46 6 8
Illinois pondweed (P. illinoensis) 2 13 3 10
Floatingleaf pondweed (P. natans) 13 19 9
Whitestem pondweed (P. praelongus) 1 38 14 16 3 11
Stringy pondweed (P. pusillus) 1 32 2
Claspingleaf pondweed (P. richardsonii) 3 5 3 5 3 3 25 14
Stringy pondweed (P. sp) 5 2 3 3 9
Flatstem pondweed (P. zosteriformis) 1 36 35 40 1 6 13
Ruppia (Ruppia occidentalis) 7 1
Sago pondweed (Stuckenia filiformis) 1
Sago pondweed (S. pectinata) 1 2 33 24 46 5 42 14
Bladderwort (Ultricularia sp) 2 15 3 5 8
Water celery (Vallisneria americana) 19 7 5
Horned pondweed (Zannichellia palustris) 6 4
Number of sites in growing zone 352 113 72 63 65 180 36
Depth of Plant Growth (feet) 13 20 11 18 8 18 12
Whole Lake Aquatic Plant Coverage (%) 46 35 37 28 28 30 31
Total submerged species 21 18 12 13 8 12 15

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 8

Point Intercept Survey Aquatic Plant Species Percent Occurrence for
2021 Douglas County Lakes

Table 6. The percent occurrence of aquatic plants for 15 Douglas County lakes in 2021. Percent occurrence is calculated
based on the number of times a plant species occurs at a sampling station div ided into the total number of stations w ithin
the plant growing zone for the survey. Orange shading highlights the dominant aquatic plant species in the lake.

Common Name Scientific Name Aaron Chippewa Devils Le Little Long Maple Moon
Homme Chippewa
Dieu
Sagittaria (Sagittaria spp)
Bulrush (Scirpus sp) 3 15 13 2 11 2 6
Cattails (Typha sp) 1 1 1 2
Watershield (Brasenia schreberi) 1
Duckweed (Lemna sp)
Spatterdock (Nuphar variegata) 1 2
White waterlilies (Nymphaea ordata) 2
Marsh marigold (Bidens Beckii) 3
Coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) 2 3 3 38 30 9 49
Chara (Chara sp) 74 75 59 39 58 47 70
Moss (Drepanocladus spp) 2
Spike rush (Eleocharis palustris)
Elodea (Elodea canadensis) 1 1 5 1
Water stargrass (Heteranthera dubia) 1 8 2 3 6
Star duckweed (L. trisulca) 1
Northern watermilfoil (Myriophyllum sibiricum) 59 3 39 33 49 12 27
Eurasian watermilfoil (M. spicatum) 3
Naiads (Najas flexilis) 23 4 17 7 29 5
Spiny naiads (Najas marina) 23 12
Nitella (Nitella sp) 1 1
Curlyleaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus)
Fries pondweed (P. friesii) 7 20 3
Illinois pondweed (P. illinoensis) 6 4 4 26 9 18 21
Floatingleaf pondweed (P. natans) 2 7 6 7
Whitestem pondweed (P. praelongus) 5 18 2 2
Claspingleaf pondweed (P. richardsonii) 2 11 11 8 30 9 33
Stringy pondweed (P. strictifolius) 5 1 1 4
Stringy pondweed (P. sp) 1
Flatstem pondweed (P. zosteriformis) 7 12 4 35
Buttercup (Ranunculus sp) 7
Ruppia (Ruppia occidentalis) 1 5 16 6
Sago pondweed (Stuckenia filiformis) 6 4 1
Sago pondweed (S. pectinata) 19 3 8 16 16 1 19 16
Bladderwort (Ultricularia sp) 4 31 17 11 30 37
Water celery (Vallisneria americana) 31 1 9
Number of sites in growing zone 100 112 111 167 57 3 108 94
Depth of Plant Growth (feet) 13 13 14 20 15 2 16 19
Whole Lake Aquatic Plant Coverage (%) 64 35 63 62 49 2 50 39
Total submerged species 14 11 11 21 12 1 19 14

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 9

Table 6 concluded. The percent occurrence of aquatic plants for 15 Douglas County lakes in 2021. Percent occurrence is
calculated based on the number of times a plant species occurs at a sampling station div ided into the total number of
stations within the plant growing zone for the survey. Orange shading highlights the dominant aquatic plant species in the
lake.

Common Name Scientific Name Moses Smith Stowe Turtle Union Victoria Whiskey Number of
lakes with
(2021) this
species
present
Sagittaria (Sagittaria spp) 1 1
Bulrush (Scirpus sp) 10 6 12 5 15 12
Cattails (Typha sp) 2 1 11 1 8
Watershield (Brasenia schreberi) 1
Duckweed (Lemna sp) 1 1
Spatterdock (Nuphar variegata) 5 15 2 5
White waterlilies (Nymphaea ordata) 1 2 3
Marsh marigold (Bidens Beckii) 1
Coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) 1 49 12 25 76 84 13
Chara (Chara sp) 53 12 12 83 18 25 13
Moss (Drepanocladus spp) 3 2
Spike rush (Eleocharis palustris) 5 1
Elodea (Elodea canadensis) 1 1 4 7
Water stargrass (Heteranthera dubia) 12 1 7
Star duckweed (L. trisulca) 5 1 10 4 5
Northern watermilfoil (Myriophyllum sibiricum) 1 8 63 14 14 39 13
Eurasian watermilfoil (M. spicatum) 1
Naiads (Najas flexilis) 2 6 4 5 10
Spiny naiads (Najas marina) 42 3
Nitella (Nitella sp) 5 1 4
Curlyleaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) 12 3 3 1 4
Fries pondweed (P. friesii) 26 9 8 12 7
Illinois pondweed (P. illinoensis) 3 1 1 10
Floatingleaf pondweed (P. natans) 2 1 6
Whitestem pondweed (P. praelongus) 2 6 6 1 8
Claspingleaf pondweed (P. richardsonii) 3 18 32 23 11
Stringy pondweed (P. strictifolius) 4 5 6
Stringy pondweed (P. sp) 1 21 11 1 5
Flatstem pondweed (P. zosteriformis) 18 30 6
Buttercup (Ranunculus sp) 1 2
Ruppia (Ruppia occidentalis) 1 5
Sago pondweed (Stuckenia filiformis) 1 1 9 6
Sago pondweed (S. pectinata) 7 15 20 36 10 39 14
Bladderwort (Ultricularia sp) 10 41 24 43 10
Water celery (Vallisneria americana) 2 50 5
Number of sites in growing zone 126 105 34 76 87 84 135
Depth of Plant Growth (feet) 29 17 7 13 19 18 20
Whole Lake Aquatic Plant Coverage (%) 42 50 14 54 49 30 45
Total submerged species 10 13 4 12 15 15 13

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 10

Notes and Comments
Observations for 2019-2021 for aquatic plant characteristics of the 45 surveyed lakes.

Observations for 2019, 2020, and 2021 All

2019 2020 2021 45 Lakes
(15 lakes) (15 lakes) (15 lakes)
Highest aquatic plant coverage (% of whole lake) 100% 66% 63% 100%
Brophy Gilbert Devils Brophy
Lowest aquatic plant coverage (% of whole lake) 76% 17% 1% 1%
Mary Grants Long Long
Most common plant Chara Coontail and Sago pondweed Coontail (43
NWM out of 45
lakes)
Greatest number of submerged plant species 25 20 20 25
Miltona Osakis Le Homme Dieu Miltona
Highest species richness (species/site) 4.0 3.4 3.3 4.0
Geneva Rachel Victoria Geneva
Lowest species richness (species/site) 1.2 0.8 0.1 0.1
Burgen Red Rock Long Long
Maximum depth of plants (feet) 21 20 29 29
Vermont Osakis Moses Moses

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 11

 AIS and AQUATIC PLANT MAPS for 45 LAKES

- Aquatic Plant Invasive Species (pp 13-18)

- Zebra Mussel Distribution and Aquatic Plants (pp 19-24)

- Native Plant Distribution and Abundance (pp 25-30)

- Aquatic Plant Species Richness (plants per sample point)(pp 31-36)

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 12

Aquatic Plant Invasive Species for Selected
Douglas County Lakes for 2019
For all 45 surveyed lakes, three types of surveys were used to search for aquatic invasive plant
species (AIS). First a point intercept survey was conducted. Then a meander survey, where sites were
sampled between grid points, was performed. The third survey consisted of an intensive meander
survey at each public access. Results of the surveys for 15 lakes in 2019 found Eurasian watermilfoil
(EWM) at 2 lakes (Carlos and Indian). No starry stonewort was observed in any of the lakes. Maps of
sample sites for all 15 lakes are shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Aquatic invasive species in the summer plant surveys for the 15 Douglas County lakes.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 13

Figure 2. Concluded.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 14

Aquatic Plant Invasive Species for Selected
Douglas County Lakes for 2020
Results of the surveys for 15 lakes in 2020 found Eurasian watermilfoil in 2 lakes (Oscar and Round)
and curlyleaf pondweed in 4 lakes. No starry stonewort was observed in any of the lakes. Maps of
sample sites for all 15 lakes are shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3. Aquatic plant invasive species in the summer plant surveys for the 15 Douglas County lakes.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 15

Figure 3. Concluded.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 16

Aquatic Plant Invasive Species for Selected
Douglas County Lakes for 2021
Results of the surveys for 15 lakes in 2021 found Eurasian watermilfoil in 1 lake (Le Homme Dieu) and
curlyleaf pondweed in 3 lakes. No starry stonewort was observed in any of the lakes. Maps of sample
sites for all 15 lakes are shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4. Aquatic invasive species surveys for 2021.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 17

Figure 4. Aquatic invasive species surveys for 2021 concluded.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 18

Zebra Mussel Distribution on Aquatic Plants in Selected
Douglas County Lakes for 2019
In the set of 15 lakes that were surveyed in 2019 zebra mussels were first verified in Carlos and
Geneva in 2009. Since then, zebra mussels have been found in 13 out of the 15 lakes that were
surveyed in this program in 2019. In many lakes, zebra mussels use stems and leaves as surfaces for
attachment. In the course of sampling plants in the point intercept surveys, observations were made to
determine if zebra mussels were present on any of the plants. Maps of the presence of zebra mussels
on plant samples were recorded and maps showing the distirbution of zebra mussels on plants are
displayed in Figure 5. Two lakes, Indian and Vermont did not have zebra mussels. Darling Lake has
zebra mussels over 60% of the lake area.

2010 2017 2009

2011 2010 Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva was listed as

having zebra mussels present
in 2009. Zebra mussel
presence on plants in Lake
Geneva were observed but
not recorded on the July 10,
2019 point intercept survey.
Zebra mussel presence on
plants was recorded for the
remaining 14 aquatic plant
surveys.

Figure 5. Zebra mussel distribution in the summer plant surv eys for the 15 Douglas County lakes. The year that zebra
mussels were confirmed in a lake is listed in the upper left side of the map.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 19

 2014 2011

2013 2015 2013

2012 2014

Figure 5. Concluded.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 20

Zebra Mussel Distribution on Aquatic Plants in Selected
Douglas County Lakes for 2020
In the set of 15 lakes that were surveyed in 2020 zebra mussels were first verified in Lobster, Mills, and
Reno in 2014. Since then, zebra mussels have been listed in 5 out of the 15 lakes that were surveyed
in this program in 2020. However out of the 8 lakes listed for zebra mussels, no zebra mussels were
observed in two lakes (Grants and Pocket). In many lakes, zebra mussels use stems and leaves as
surfaces for attachment. In the course of sampling plants in the point intercept surveys, observations
were made to determine if zebra mussels were present on any of the plants. Maps of the presence of
zebra mussels on plant samples for 6 lakes were recorded and maps showing the distribution of zebra
mussels on plants are displayed in Figure 6.

2016

2019

Figure 6. Zebra mussel distribution in the summer plant surv eys for the 15 Douglas County lakes. The year that zebra
mussels were confirmed in a lake is listed in the upper left side of the map.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 21

 2014 2014 2016

2019 2016

2014

Figure 6. Concluded.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 22

Zebra Mussel Distribution on Aquatic Plants in Selected
Douglas County Lakes for 2021
In the set of 15 lakes that were surveyed in 2021 zebra mussels were first verified in Le Homme Dieu
in 2009. Since then, zebra mussels have been listed in 9 out of the 15 lakes that were surveyed in
2021. However out of the 11 lakes listed for zebra mussels by the MnDNR, no zebra mussels were
observed in two of the listed lakes (Moses and Stowe). In many lakes, zebra mussels use stems and
leaves as surfaces for attachment. In the course of sampling plants in the point intercept surveys,
observations were made to determine if zebra mussels were present on any of the plants. Maps of the
presence of zebra mussels on plant samples for 11 lakes were recorded and maps showing the
distribution of zebra mussels on plants are displayed in Figure 7.

2020 2017 2017

2009 2017 2014

Figure 7. Zebra mussel observations on aquatic plants in 2021. The year that zebra mussels were confirmed or listed
in a lake is shown in black lettering.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 23

 2013 2020

2017 2014

2009 2017

Figure 7. Zebra mussel observations on aquatic plants in 2021 concluded.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 24

Native Aquatic Plant Distribution and Abundance in
Selected Douglas County Lakes for 2019
Native aquatic plant distribution and abundance based on point intercept surveys for all 15 lakes
surveyed in 2019 are mapped in Figure 8. Aquatic plants typically grew out to water depths of around
15 feet. Abundance was measured with rake sampling on a scale from 0 to 3 with 3 representing heavy
growth. Much of the growth in the 15 lakes was light with some areas exhibiting moderate to heavy
growth.

Figure 8. Native plant coverage in the summer plant surveys for the 15 Douglas County lakes.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 25

Figure 8. Concluded.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 26

Native Aquatic Plant Distribution and Abundance in
Selected Douglas County Lakes for 2020
Native aquatic plant distribution and abundance based on point intercept surveys for all 15 lakes in
2020 are mapped in Figure 9. Aquatic plants typically grew out to water depths of around 8 to 20 feet.
Abundance was measured with rake sampling on a scale from 0 to 3 with 3 representing heavy growth.
Much of the growth in the 15 lakes was light with some areas exhibiting moderate to heavy growth
(Figure 9).

Figure 9. Native plant coverage in the summer plant surveys for the 15 Douglas County lakes.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 27

Figure 9. Concluded.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 28

Native Aquatic Plant Distribution and Abundance in
Selected Douglas County Lakes for 2021
Native aquatic plant distribution and abundance based on point intercept surveys for all 15 lakes are
mapped in Figure 10. Aquatic plants typically grew out to water depths of around 2 to 29 feet.
Abundance was measured with rake sampling on a scale from 0 to 3 with 3 representing heavy growth.
Much of the growth in the 15 lakes was light with some areas exhibiting moderate to heavy growth
(Figure 10).

Figure 10. Native aquatic plant coverage in 2021.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 29

Figure 10. Native aquatic plant coverage in 2021 concluded.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 30

Aquatic Plant Species Richness 2019
Aquatic plant species richness is a measure of the number of aquatic plant species at a sample site. All
aquatic plant species were recorded at all sample sites. Maps of aquatic plant species richness for all
15 lakes surveyed in 2019 is shown in Figure 11. Aquatic plant species per site ranged from 1 to 9
species. Based on the average species richness per lake, Geneva had the highest species richness
(4.0 species/point) and Burgen had the lowest average species richness (1.2 species/point).

Figure 11. Species richness in the summer plant surv eys for the 15 Douglas County lakes.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 31

Figure 11. Concluded.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 32

Aquatic Plant Species Richness 2020
Aquatic plant species richness is a measure of the number of aquatic plant species at a sample site. All
aquatic plant species were recorded at all sample sites. Maps of aquatic plant species richness for all
15 lakes surveyed in 2020 is shown in Figure 12. Aquatic plant species per site ranged from 1 to 8
species. Based on the average species richness per lake, Rachel had the highest species richness
(3.4 species/point) and Red Rock had the lowest average species richness (0.8 species/point).

Figure 12. Species richness in the summer plant surv eys for the 15 Douglas County lakes.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 33

Figure 12. Concluded.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 34

Aquatic Plant Species Richness 2021
Aquatic plant species richness is a measure of the number of aquatic plant species at a sample site. All
aquatic plant species were recorded at all sample sites. Maps of aquatic plant species richness for all
15 lakes surveyed in 2021 are shown in Figure 13. Aquatic plant species per site ranged from 1 to 8
species. Based on the average species richness per lake, Victoria had the highest species richness
(3.3 species/point) and Long had the lowest average species richness (0.1 species/point).

Figure 13. Species richness in 2021.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 35

Figure 13. Species richness in 2021 concluded.

Douglas County Plant Summary for 45 Lakes - 36