Starry Stonewort

Starry Stonewort was first identified in Big Cedar Lake in the Fall of 2019, around the public boat launch in the southeast corner of the Lake. To date, our efforts have been able to contain this invasive weed to this area of our Lake.  

There is a PowerPoint Primer that explains Starry Stonewort here.

There is also an extensive write-up on Starry Stonewort given to us by Trent University that can be accessed here.  

The Board is requesting that if cottagers are hiring contractors or directing others to use the public boat ramp, that they be informed of how to properly navigate the channel and inform them of the containment program. An information flyer that provides this information is available at the following link: Public Boat Launch Protocol .  

We suggest this flyer be printed two sided and provided to those that are being directed to use the Public Boat Launch on Big Cedar Lake.

The Board is also requesting that boaters minimize their use of the back channel near the boat ramp – less boater traffic lowers the risk of the Starry Stonewort spreading.

Starry Stonewort can become a more significant problem for our Lake than Eurasian Water Milfoil.  Starry Stonewort completely eradicates native water plants where it grows, it can grow in water deeper than Milfoil (up to 10 m but generally 1- 7 m) and unlike Milfoil is completely impenetrable by fish for their habitat. The concern with it, is there is no known treatment for it and it spreads rapidly through fragmentation.  

Important. Please pay 2024 BCLSA Contribution Fee of $100 to support this important work being done in 2024.

Please see the membership page to download the form for 2024 renewal. Thanks to all of you that support the health and well-being of our wonderful lake.


Approximate location of Starry Stonewort growth (blue shaded areas) as of October 2023 near the public boat launch in Big Cedar Lake.

 
2024 Workplan for Starry Stonewort

  1. a)     The team that had been working on the Eurasian Milfoil invasion, have been reassigned to address the Starry Stonewort infestation at the public boat ramp area.  This team is continuing to implementing a work-intensive containment strategy at the public boat launch to curtail the spread of Starry Stonewort.  One of the goals for 2024 will be to extend the protected area around the boat ramp by 30 feet by installing additional mats.
     
    You will see a series of buoys in the area noting the areas that have been cleared of Starry Stonewort.  Please limit your use of the boat ramp area, and if absolutely needed, be sure to raise your motor until fully out of the affected area.  The growth of this new dangerous weed is greatly accelerated by fragmentation caused by boat propellers.
  1. b)    New Signage – Signs have been installed near the boat ramp area:

Clean Drain Dry Sign (3 feet x 4 feet in size)

Boater Protocol Sign (4 feet x 3 feet in size)

 

Starry Stonewort has the potential to make Milfoil look like a non-issue.  Starry Stonewort will choke out the Lake.  It will eliminate fish habitat.  If you see Starry Stonewort in other parts of the Lake, please report it to the Association.  With no known solution to eliminate it, we must be very diligent.  Thank you for your support with this very important issue.

 


Shoot morphology


Root bulbil with typical “starry” formation


Typical “pillow” like growth form of large colony