Vol. 15—1961 - NorthEastern Weed Science Society

524.
AQJJATICWEEDCONTROLANDRELATEDPROBLEMS
AT LAKE MOHAWK,NEWJERSEY
A PRIVATE LAKE Ca4MUNITY
Paul C. Castellanos,
Lake Supervisor
This paper is written mainly for the purpose of focusing attention on
the aquatic weed problem of the private and small lake operator. Pri vate
lake operators suffer certain disadvantages that state controlled bodies of
water do not have. They also enjoy certain advantages. state controlled
bodies of water in New Jersey can and do pool their experience and technical
knowledge. The private lake operator d.epeDiis mainly upon the guidance of
chemical concerns or upon the knowledge of temporary success at a nearby
body of water.
We h8.ve found that no two bodies· of water are the same as regards to
fertility, chemical constituents, the amount of seeds stored in the mud, or
the kind of vegetation. Over-generalization can therefore be misleading.
The private lake operator, on the other hand, has the advantage of being
able to organize more effectively :ror a commonpurpose. If the overall
problem is clearly stated to the community, the question of continuity of
funds does not present itself every year. It is not only the problem of the
waterfront properly owner, but the community as a whole as it affects all
nearby realty values.
In presenting this paper we do not lay claim to new scientific deductions.
We should confide to you now, there is one mark of distinction that -..-'
this speaker possesses that sets him apart from other speakers at this erud! te
convention - he possesses no scientific degrees. He feels that he must
gingerly tread through a mine field of technical knowledge that may explode
at any moment and he could be trapped by his own logic. Nevertheless, as
Lake Supervisor of Lake Mohawk, we have had some years of experience on the
firing line, and this paper may serve as a yardstick of evaluation when compared
with other privately controlled bodies of water confronted with the
same problem. More correctly st.ated, it is a progress report.
To properly present a fifteen year effort we submit a chronological
background of our activities. The Lake MohawkReservation is a community of
2500 acres, which lie within the Township of Sparta, Sussex County, New
Jersey. The Lake Mohawk Country Club owns and maintains three bodies of
water, used solely for recreational purposes. The main body of water is
Lake Mohawk, consisting of 9W acres, three miles long and one-half mile wide.
Upper Lake Mohawk is 24 acres and Alpine Pool, a three acre area, used solely
for swimming. All are man-made and two are 33 years old as of 19W; Alpine
Pool is 25 years old. These waters are slightly alkaline, having a pH of
about 8.1.
About 1942 Lake Mohawk and Upper Lake Mohawkbecame infected with
Potamogeton crisius. By 1950 over 225 acres were solidly covered with the
growth, including all coves and about ninety percent of the shore line. The
average depth of the infected area was four feet. the plant, hoveV'el:", Waf'.