(Wahpeton)– Thousands of boats are plying the waters of the Iowa great lakes this fourth of July holiday period. Many are from outside the area. That’s causing concern among those trying to keep eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussels from getting into the local lakes. Steve Anderson of the Iowa Great Lakes Cleanwater Alliance urges everyone to closely look their boats over and remove weeds or anything else sticking to them before putting them in the water.
Anderson says volunteers and some D-N-R officials have set up checkpoints at some of the busier boat ramps in the area.
Experts say just one piece of milfoil can infest an entire lake.
A number of lakes in Minnesota and other neighboring states are infested with the weed. It produces a thick mat of vegetation that chokes off aquatic life and tangles up boat motors.
