Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM), a non-native invasive aquatic plant was discovered in Joe’s Pond in August, 2024. EWM is a highly aggressive, prolific, and persistent invasive that represents the potential to dramatically change Joe’s Pond as we have always known it if it is not eradicated or at least contained at a manageable level.
Beginning in September, 2024, the Joe’s Pond Association (JPA) commenced an intensive, comprehensive, and coordinated response, continuing through 2025, to this existential threat. Containment efforts have included establishment of a network of Lakeshore Section Coordinators, surveyors, and divers, conducting extensive hand harvesting operations (contracted and JPA volunteers), contracted diver-assisted suction harvesting (DASH), placement of benthic barriers, a 23 acre herbicide treatment, EWM management data compilation and mapping, and development of extensive and detailed educational materials.
Greater detail relating to each of the above mentioned operations and more are presented in the various tabs on this web page.
Beginning in September, 2024, the Joe’s Pond Association (JPA) commenced an intensive, comprehensive, and coordinated response, continuing through 2025, to this existential threat. Containment efforts have included establishment of a network of Lakeshore Section Coordinators, surveyors, and divers, conducting extensive hand harvesting operations (contracted and JPA volunteers), contracted diver-assisted suction harvesting (DASH), placement of benthic barriers, a 23 acre herbicide treatment, EWM management data compilation and mapping, and development of extensive and detailed educational materials.
Greater detail relating to each of the above mentioned operations and more are presented in the various tabs on this web page.
The map below depicts the areas of Joe’s Pond where EWM had been observed by 10/15/24
The map below depicts the areas of Joe’s Pond where EWM has been observed one year later by 10/15/25
While the majority of locations where EWM has been found have been managed either by hand harvesting, DASH or herbicide treatment, the contrasting maps illustrate the aggressive proliferation of EWM despite intensive containment efforts.
Throughout the summer months, Joe’s Pond experiences intensive watercraft activity. In recognition of the propensity of EWM to spread via fragmentation, which adds a significant layer of difficulty to achieve EWM containment, the JPA has developed Watercraft Operation Protocols. All lake users can contribute meaningfully to JPA efforts to prevent EWM proliferation by adopting and strictly adhering to these protocols.
Throughout the summer months, Joe’s Pond experiences intensive watercraft activity. In recognition of the propensity of EWM to spread via fragmentation, which adds a significant layer of difficulty to achieve EWM containment, the JPA has developed Watercraft Operation Protocols. All lake users can contribute meaningfully to JPA efforts to prevent EWM proliferation by adopting and strictly adhering to these protocols.
Watercraft Operation Protocols
for Avoidance and Reduction of Eurasian Watermilfoil Fragmentation and Proliferation
for Avoidance and Reduction of Eurasian Watermilfoil Fragmentation and Proliferation
JPA Eurasian Watermilfoil Management Committee
In the winter of 2024-2025, the JPA formed a Eurasian Watermilfoil Management Committee (EWMMC); its purpose being to assess EWM management alternatives and work, in consultation with the JPA Board of Directors, to implement those management practices deemed to be most effective in containing and, if possible, eradicating the EWM infestation, and determined to be in the best interests of the JPA.
The EWMMC is conducting its activities involving the following areas: education, surveying and monitoring, EWM management plan, grants and funding, regulatory, digital mapping and EWM management tracking, dive team and harvesting coordination & support, and EWM equipment and materials acquisition and management.
For more information about the membership and work of the EWMMC, please see the EWM Committee Meeting Minutes
The EWMMC is conducting its activities involving the following areas: education, surveying and monitoring, EWM management plan, grants and funding, regulatory, digital mapping and EWM management tracking, dive team and harvesting coordination & support, and EWM equipment and materials acquisition and management.
For more information about the membership and work of the EWMMC, please see the EWM Committee Meeting Minutes
Surveying, Monitoring & Patrolling for the Proliferation of EWM
The JPA Eurasian Watermilfoil Management Committee has implemented a comprehensive and coordinated system of surveying and monitoring for new outbreaks of EWM. This system consists of 12 designated Lakeshore Coordinators (LSCs) who take responsibility for ensuring the littoral zone (shallow water area) within their assigned lakeshore section is monitored thoroughly and frequently throughout the growing season. The LSCs recruit volunteers to assist with monitoring efforts, deploy JPA-issued marker buoys wherever EWM is found, and report such discoveries to the Eurasian Watermilfoil Management Coordinator (Barry Cahoon, 802-535-0049, [email protected]) and EWM Harvesting Team Leader (Jim Bernotas, 413-695-4671, [email protected]).
Open the Lakeshore Sections Map and Coordinators tab for more details and information about the Lakeshore Section descriptions, LSC roster and contact information, LSC responsibilities and surveying, reporting, and buoy placement protocols.
Open the Lakeshore Sections Map and Coordinators tab for more details and information about the Lakeshore Section descriptions, LSC roster and contact information, LSC responsibilities and surveying, reporting, and buoy placement protocols.
EWM Harvesting
Effective containment of EWM proliferation requires implementation of a suite of management practices. The most common and widespread non-chemical control practices involve diver-assisted suction harvesting (DASH) and hand harvesting by SCUBA and/or SNUBA divers. The JPA has applied and will continue to utilize both these practices at least through 2026. DASH is conducted through contracted services, and hand harvesting primarily by JPA volunteers coordinated by the EWM Harvesting Team Leader.
The JPA has invested in state-of-the-art SNUBA equipment to support diving and harvesting operations. Traditionally, underwater harvesting of aquatic invasives has been conducted by SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) equipped divers. More recently, professional grade SNUBA (Surface Nexus Underwater Breathing Apparatus) has become available. SNUBA presents significant operational advantages over SCUBA and can be learned and applied by a novice diver over a much shorter practice period.
The JPA continues to recruit additional volunteers to join the dive team to lighten the work load on the active members of the team. Please consider joining our team. If you have any diving or snorkeling experience at all, you can SNUBA. Contact the JPA EWM Harvesting Team Leader Jim Bernotas at 413-695-4671 or [email protected].
Every time the JPA Dive Team is mobilized, surface support is required both in the mother ship and in kayaks to watch for and retrieve drifting EWM fragments. Even if you cannot dive, there is an opportunity for you to help during harvesting operations. EWM harvesting surface support operations are coordinated by Joanne Stewart. If you are interested and able to participate in surface support, please contact Joanne at 802-578-3136 or [email protected].
The JPA has invested in state-of-the-art SNUBA equipment to support diving and harvesting operations. Traditionally, underwater harvesting of aquatic invasives has been conducted by SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) equipped divers. More recently, professional grade SNUBA (Surface Nexus Underwater Breathing Apparatus) has become available. SNUBA presents significant operational advantages over SCUBA and can be learned and applied by a novice diver over a much shorter practice period.
The JPA continues to recruit additional volunteers to join the dive team to lighten the work load on the active members of the team. Please consider joining our team. If you have any diving or snorkeling experience at all, you can SNUBA. Contact the JPA EWM Harvesting Team Leader Jim Bernotas at 413-695-4671 or [email protected].
Every time the JPA Dive Team is mobilized, surface support is required both in the mother ship and in kayaks to watch for and retrieve drifting EWM fragments. Even if you cannot dive, there is an opportunity for you to help during harvesting operations. EWM harvesting surface support operations are coordinated by Joanne Stewart. If you are interested and able to participate in surface support, please contact Joanne at 802-578-3136 or [email protected].
2025 JPA SNUBA and SCUBA volunteers
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JPA's SNUBA, diver and safety kayaker
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Herbicide Treatment as an EWM Management Alternative
It is well documented that virtually every other VT lake association that has experienced an EWM infestation has failed to effectively contain its proliferation without the use of herbicide. It is also important to note that no VT lake association has succeeded in eradicating EWM through the application of herbicide. The JPA Eurasian Watermilfoil Management Committee (EWMMC) has conducted extensive research and deliberation to determine that it is in the best interests of the JPA and most effectively protect the social, economic and ecological values of Joe’s Pond to utilize the herbicide ProcellaCOR to manage the EWM infestation in conjunction with the non-chemical control measures discussed above. ProcellaCOR is the only herbicide approved by the VT Agency of Natural Resources (VTANR) for control of EWM in VT waterbodies. See the Herbicide Treatment for EWM Control tab for additional information relating to the herbicide ProcellaCOR.
The JPA applied for and received regulatory approval from VT ANR for an initial herbicide treatment covering 23 acres along the Sandy Beach and Channel Drive shorelines shown in the map below. The treatment was conducted by a contractor, SePRO Lake Management, on 08/13/25.
A post-treatment assessment was conducted by Arrowwood Environmental which reported 100% EWM mortality in the treatment and adjacent areas. The survey also documented some damage to non-target aquatic plant species. A follow-up survey will be conducted in 2026. All permit applications, regulatory actions, and reports pertinent to JPA EWM management are available for review under the Applications, Permits and Reports tab on this web page.
The JPA applied for and received regulatory approval from VT ANR for an initial herbicide treatment covering 23 acres along the Sandy Beach and Channel Drive shorelines shown in the map below. The treatment was conducted by a contractor, SePRO Lake Management, on 08/13/25.
A post-treatment assessment was conducted by Arrowwood Environmental which reported 100% EWM mortality in the treatment and adjacent areas. The survey also documented some damage to non-target aquatic plant species. A follow-up survey will be conducted in 2026. All permit applications, regulatory actions, and reports pertinent to JPA EWM management are available for review under the Applications, Permits and Reports tab on this web page.
How You Can Help
The JPA has designated a Milfoil Response Coordinator, Barry Cahoon. If you wish to volunteer to help the JPA contain and control this insidious invasive, send an email with your contact information to the Coordinator. You will be added to the volunteer list and will receive pertinent communications on how you can help. If you have any special skills, please include that information. Barry can be contacted via email at: [email protected] or 802-535-0049.
Additional Information
The JPA response to the EWM threat will be guided by the VT ANR document Managing Aquatic Invasive Species and the JPA Management Plan. Please take the time to study and absorb the valuable information contained in these important and informative documents. They include all the action elements necessary for an effective JPA response to the infestation. Many of the resources available to JPA are included. The VT ANR has also provided these resources to help raise lake awareness: Boating Resource Guide and Lakeshore Property Guide.
JPA has formed a EWM Management Committee in support of JPA efforts to contain and, if possible, eliminate the current infestation of EWM. Please see EWM Committee Meeting Minutes.
JPA has formed a EWM Management Committee in support of JPA efforts to contain and, if possible, eliminate the current infestation of EWM. Please see EWM Committee Meeting Minutes.