City of Saugatuck Takes Steps to Address Invasive Weeds in Kalamazoo Lake and Harbor

​The Saugatuck City Council this week unanimously voted to address the rapid spread of the non-native invasive aquatic weed known as Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) in Kalamazoo Lake and Harbor.

Following a two-month review by the city’s Eurasian Water Milfoil Advisory Committee, the council agreed that the safest and most cost-effective solution is to treat two large patches of EWM in the area of the lake northeast of the Blue Star Highway bridge with a herbicide approved by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). 

Saugatuck will enter into a one-year contract with the City of Douglas’s current contractor, Aquatic Doctors Lake Management, Inc. to expand their treatment work to areas within Saugatuck that have also been impacted by EWM.

The city is also offering Saugatuck shoreline and dock owners the option to pay to have their nearshore properties treated at the city’s rate under the city’s EGLE permit and contract with Aquatic Drs. Please contact the City Manager for more information.
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For more information on the city’s work to address EWM, the city’s Eurasian Water Milfoil web page containing meeting agendas and informational packets, minutes and videos as well as the December 28, 2020 Eurasian Water Milfoil Advisory Committee’s Report to City Council at:  https://www.saugatuckcity.com/eurasian-water-milfoil-study-group