Scuba divers pull weed from Capitol Lake

September 24, 2012

Capitol Campus Update

OLYMPIA – Two scuba divers hired by Enterprise Services are hand-pulling Eurasian milfoil, an invasive aquatic weed, from Percival Cove and Capitol Lake. The work is expected to be completed by Oct. 1.

Most of the milfoil plants are in Percival Cove, but there is also a small patch in the middle basin of the lake.

Milfoil was first discovered in Capitol Lake in 2001. The weed crowds out native vegetation, reducing fish and wildlife habitat.

The state in 2004 used an herbicide to kill most of the milfoil in Capitol Lake. Since then, the former Department of General Administration, and now Enterprise Services, has used non-chemical means for controlling the milfoil.

Like the Capitol Campus on Facebook.