Developing a lake management plan

Authors: Madsen, John

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/11/2018
Publication Date: 7/1/2020
Citation: Madsen, J.D. 2020. Developing a lake management plan. Book Chapter. 3.2:119-122.

Interpretive Summary: This book chapter discusses developing a lake management plan for aquatic plant management. The main components of a plan should include prevention, problem assessment, project management, monitoring, education and outreach, management goals, site-specific management tool selection, and management evaluation. Management plans are iterative, with each new plan building on the successes and lessons learned from previous efforts.

Technical Abstract: It is critically important to develop a management plan to effectively prevent and control invasive aquatic plants in water resources. Planning should be a continuous process that is ongoing and evolves based on past successes and failures. A comprehensive plan should educate the public about invasive species so they can identify and exclude weeds from uninfested areas. Aquatic plant management programs should also provide a concise assessment of the problem, outline methods and techniques that will be employed to control the weed and clearly define the goals of the program. Mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation should be developed as well and information gathered during these efforts should be used to implement site-specific management and to optimize management efforts. The planning process helps to prepare for the unexpected in weed management, but resource managers should expect the plan to change as stakeholders provide input and management activities commence.