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Missouri conservation presents floating-wetland plan for Westside Lake; Fenton committee recommends pursuit
Summary
The Missouri Department of Conservation presented habitat and invasive-plant findings for Fenton’s three CAP lakes and proposed installing a floating wetland at Westside Lake. The Parks and Recreation Committee voted to recommend the project to the Board of Aldermen and discussed costs, monitoring and volunteer removal options.
The Missouri Department of Conservation on June 2 told the Fenton Parks and Recreation Committee that floating wetlands and targeted habitat work could reduce algae and improve fish habitat at Westside Lake and other city lakes.
John Schulte, fisheries management biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation, said the city partners with MDC through a Community Assistance Program agreement to manage Presslar Lake, Upper Fabic Lake and Westside Lake for recreational fishing. "What we have seen is when you install a floating wetland on a pond that is having algae issues, there is a reduced need to apply chemical, or even potentially an elimination, [of] algaecide," Schulte said during a virtual presentation.
The department described three management priorities for the lakes: habitat planting, targeted removal of undesirable vegetation and watershed testing. Presslar Lake was described as "robust" for largemouth bass with a somewhat stunted panfish population, while Upper Fabic has clear water and steep banks that present habitat challenges. Westside Lake drew most attention: MDC said the lake has a relatively large watershed-to-lake ratio and evidence of high phosphorus that contributes to recurring algae. The department identified an overabundance of the bottom-growing plant coontail in Westside Lake and estimated that vegetation coverage in that lake approaches 80–90% versus an ideal shoreline-vegetation coverage of about 30–40% for recreational fisheries.
Schulte explained floating wetlands are planted platforms that act as biofilters to draw nutrients from the water and reduce algae pressure. He cited a pilot in the Southwest Region where installing three islands reduced the need for repeated chemical treatments in the same season. He also warned about hydrilla, an aggressive nonnative plant that can require years of treatment and monitoring once established, and mentioned muskrat damage as an infrastructure concern.
Committee members asked about timeline, cost and maintenance. Schulte said islands often show a measurable response within months after establishment but cautioned that outcomes vary by size and density of islands. He estimated a single impactful island for a lake the size of Westside would cost roughly $5,000–$7,000, with a likely Missouri Department of Conservation cost-share that would leave the city paying about $3,000–$4,000. He said once established maintenance is low, typically one or two inspections a year and occasional plant replacement.
Members discussed mechanical options and volunteers for initial removal of algae and coontail. Jay Aarons described volunteer raking used at another lake; Schulte said raking can help but may need to be paired with other measures (chemical treatment, stocking grass carp) for species that resprout from fragments. Staff and MDC agreed that removed plant material could be composted rather than landfilled and that MDC could provide technical support and water testing (phosphorus, nitrogen) to measure changes after island installation.
After the presentation the committee voted to recommend to the Board of Aldermen that the city pursue placing floating islands in Westside Lake and to seek MDC cost-share funding and related approvals. The committee also approved the May 5 meeting minutes at the start of the session.
Votes at a glance
- Approval of May 5 meeting minutes — Motion to approve minutes as written approved by voice vote (all in favor). Present membership recorded at roll call: Gary Johnson; Kathy Steece; Mary Heinemann; Thomas Byron; Mike Gabbitt; Jennifer Mueller (excused); Jay Aaron (not present).
- Recommendation to Board of Aldermen to pursue floating wetlands at Westside Lake — Motion made and seconded; committee approved by voice vote (all in favor). The committee directed staff to coordinate with MDC on cost-share and to seek Aldermanic approval and any required permits (timing tied to MDC funding cycle and Board of Aldermen action).
