Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) in Joe's Pond
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.
Upon this discovery, the Joe’s Pond Association (JPA) immediately initiated a response which consisted of notification of the VT Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), applying for and receiving an Aquatic Nuisance Control Rapid Response Permit and, in collaboration with ANR, hand harvesting and placement of benthic barriers in the area of most dense EWM establishment along the Sandy Beach shoreline.
The map below depicts the areas of Joe’s Pond where EWM has been observed to date (08/01/25). Please refer to the Management Map and Surveys webpage to access a zoomable webmap for additional information about the areas of EWM infestation and the JPA management actions.
Upon this discovery, the Joe’s Pond Association (JPA) immediately initiated a response which consisted of notification of the VT Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), applying for and receiving an Aquatic Nuisance Control Rapid Response Permit and, in collaboration with ANR, hand harvesting and placement of benthic barriers in the area of most dense EWM establishment along the Sandy Beach shoreline.
The map below depicts the areas of Joe’s Pond where EWM has been observed to date (08/01/25). Please refer to the Management Map and Surveys webpage to access a zoomable webmap for additional information about the areas of EWM infestation and the JPA management actions.
Watercraft Operation Protocols
for Avoidance and Reduction of Eurasian Watermilfoil Fragmentation and Proliferation
for Avoidance and Reduction of Eurasian Watermilfoil Fragmentation and Proliferation
Formation of the 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 & 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 & 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
A contracted survey by Arrowwood Environmental (AE) in May, 2025 documented a significant expansion of the EWM infestation area from the Sandy Beach shoreline to a large area located between the islands and the Channel Drive shoreline. Subsequent to the AE survey, JPA Lakeshore Section Coordinators (LSCs) and volunteer surveyors have found several more outbreaks of EWM, remote from the Sandy Beach and Channel Drive concentration areas, especially in the areas of Clubhouse Circle, Island Drive, North Shore Road, the DF&W boat access, and the US2 shoreline on the Second Pond.
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This map shows the locations of the Sandy Beach and Channel Drive areas documented by the AE survey as well as the Lakeshore Sections mapped by the EWMMC and for which LSCs have been designated to survey and monitor for new EWM outbreaks. Open the Lakeshore Sections Map and Coordinators for more details and information about the Lakeshore Section descriptions, LSC roster, LSC responsibilities and surveying, reporting, and buoy placement protocols. |
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EWM Harvesting
The JPA contracted with VTHozerz, an experienced EWM harvesting contractor, who conducted a 5 day hand pulling, suction harvesting and benthic barrier placement project primarily in the Sandy Beach and Channel Drive areas of EWM concentration, and surveying of the entire Joe’s Pond littoral zone (shown in light blue in the above map).
Subsequent to this contracted EWM harvesting project, the JPA formed a dive team that has been conducting hand pulling operations twice weekly throughout the summer 2025 season. The dive team has primarily focused on reacting to new EWM outbreaks remote from the two concentration areas in hopes this will prevent additional areas of concentrated EWM growth from becoming established.
The JPA has acquired a SNUBA raft to enhance its EWM harvesting capabilities, reduce the personal equipment needs of the divers, and promote recruitment of more divers to the team. More divers are needed! If you can snorkel, you can SNUBA. Please consider stepping up to help. Contact Jim Bernotas at: [email protected]
Subsequent to this contracted EWM harvesting project, the JPA formed a dive team that has been conducting hand pulling operations twice weekly throughout the summer 2025 season. The dive team has primarily focused on reacting to new EWM outbreaks remote from the two concentration areas in hopes this will prevent additional areas of concentrated EWM growth from becoming established.
The JPA has acquired a SNUBA raft to enhance its EWM harvesting capabilities, reduce the personal equipment needs of the divers, and promote recruitment of more divers to the team. More divers are needed! If you can snorkel, you can SNUBA. Please consider stepping up to help. Contact Jim Bernotas at: [email protected]
In-water Search Tools
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A simple underwater viewer can assist in the search for EWM. The JPA has made a few of these viewers available to the membership. You can easily make your own viewer. Check this link for creating your own "StangelScope". If you do search and find what you believe to be EWM, do not try to pull it up. Take only a small piece to confirm it identification. If its a positive ID, mark the location with a buoy and report your finding to the JPA Milfoil Response Coordinator (see below). |
Scuba diver Kellie Merrell removing milfoil
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EWM Management Alternative
It is well documented that virtually every other VT lake that has experienced an EWM infestation has failed to effectively control it without the use of herbicide. The EWMMC conducted extensive research and deliberation to determine that it would be in the best interests of the JPA and most effectively protect the social, economic, and ecological values of Joe’s Pond to apply for an Aquatic Nuisance Control Permit from VT ANR and treat the two EWM concentration areas along the Sandy Beach and Channel Drive shorelines with the herbicide ProcellaCOR.
An ANC permit was issued to the JPA in July, 2025. The ProcellaCOR treatment took place on 08/13/25. Please open the EWM Treatment Alternatives and the Permits and Applications tabs for more information about this herbicide treatment.
The map below shows the two ProcellaCOR treatment areas (cross hatched in yellow).
An ANC permit was issued to the JPA in July, 2025. The ProcellaCOR treatment took place on 08/13/25. Please open the EWM Treatment Alternatives and the Permits and Applications tabs for more information about this herbicide treatment.
The map below shows the two ProcellaCOR treatment areas (cross hatched in yellow).
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 AIS document Managing Aquatic Invasive Species and the Joe's Pond Association Eurasian Watermilfoil Management Plan. Please take the time to study and absorb the valuable information contained in these important and informative documents. They includes all the action elements necessary for an effective JPA response to the infestation. Many of the resources available to JPA are included. The AIS has also provided these resources to help raise lake awareness: Boating Resource Guide and Lakeshore Property Guide.
Joe's Pond Association has formed a Eurasian Watermilfoil Committee in support of JPA efforts to contain and, if possible, eliminate the current infestation of EWM. Please see milfoil meeting minutes webpage.
Joe's Pond Association has formed a Eurasian Watermilfoil Committee in support of JPA efforts to contain and, if possible, eliminate the current infestation of EWM. Please see milfoil meeting minutes webpage.