GOFFSTOWN - Goffstown's Glen Lake has been closed until June 25th due to chemical treatment by NH DES this week to eradicate milfoil found in a 2.38 acre area of the lake's northwest corner.  The patch of variable milfoil is in an area known among lake residents as "Turtle Island", the smaller of Glen Lake's two islands, directly abutting the new Miller's Landing development project.  

Glen Lake is 138 acres in size during normal summer water levels.

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) verified the existence of variable milfoil growth in Glen Lake in August of last year.  

As this is a new infestation, DES coordinated an herbicide treatment for the milfoil and will be absorbing 100% of the treatment costs as is their policy when dealing with new infestations to a water body.

DES has also developed a long-term milfoil management plan for Glen Lake that outlines how management of the problem should be carried out over the next several years.  This management plan is a required element of submitting a permit application to the Dept of Agriculture to get a permit to do work on Glen Lake.  Aquatic Control Technologies, Inc. out of Sutton, MA was selected to do this job (there are only two licensed aquatic applicators in New Hampshire, and based upon bids submitted by each of them, ACT was selected).

DES also encourages residents and property owners on Glen Lake to consider the following:

• Form an official lake association 
  DES biologists would be happy to come to Glen Lake to give a presentation about how to do this.
  
• Form a Weed Watcher Group (this is a volunteer program like the Volunteer Lake Assessment Program).  Visit http://www.des.state.nh.us/wmb/exoticspecies/survey.htm for more information about this program.
  
• Work with the town of Goffstown to set aside funds for the future (through a warrant article or other means) should future herbicide treatments or other management practices be needed. Many other towns have done this, and DES is willing to set up a meeting to help accomplish this. DES pays for 100% of the first management effort, and then repeat management practices can be matched by up to 50% of the total cost. They also do diving and bottom barrier placement for free.
  
• During the open water seasons, if you notice milfoil fragments drifting by your waterfront area, or settling on the bottom, please hand-remove the piece carefully, and dispose of it in the trash or in the woods, away from the lake.
  
  
  For more information about exotic species in general, and the DES Exotic Species Program, please visit our website at http://www.des.state.nh.us/wmb/exoticspecies/.