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Residents press Carter Lake leaders on aggressive lake weeds; council cites DNR limits on treatment
Summary
Multiple residents urged the city to address heavy aquatic weeds in canals and the main lake; council/staff said Iowa DNR controls chemical-permit limits and cautioned that cutting can spread aggressive invasive plants such as Asian milfoil.
Residents at the Carter Lake City meeting pressed elected officials about extensive aquatic weeds clogging private canals and restricting boat access. Multiple speakers described heavy weed growth they said had made docks unusable, created mosquito habitat and worsened after recent storms.
A resident, Jean, told the council: "the weeds there are horrendous...we can't get our boat out," and asked whether spraying or mechanical removal was allowed in the private canals. Council and staff answered that the Iowa Department of Natural Resources handles permitting for chemical treatments in public waters and that DNR crews generally do not apply chemicals within 200 feet of private docks or in private canals without appropriate permits. The council advised that homeowners' associations can apply for permits and that any chemical application requires a plan and DNR approval.
Several residents asked why the city's weed-cutting machine was not being used. A long-time operator said the machine "will clear the weeds out of that lake in a week" but staff cautioned that cutting can worsen infestations of aggressive invasive species such as Asian milfoil by fragmenting the plant and spreading it. Staff described two management approaches in discussion: removal (diver-assisted pulling and hauling) and chemical treatment targeted by DNR, and said each has trade-offs for effectiveness and spread.
City staff said they were treating the main body of the lake under DNR guidance but do not apply chemicals near docks or in private canals. Residents asked for clearer plans and faster action; the council encouraged residents to pursue HOA-permit options and said staff would continue coordinating with Iowa DNR and local contractors.
What happens next: staff indicated the city will continue treatment in accordance with DNR guidance and help residents connect with permits and contractors; no immediate change in policy was adopted at the meeting.
