Lake weed control gets underway for Lake Dunstan

Work to reduce the impact of the invasive lakeweed lagarosiphon in Lake Dunstan will begin next week.  

Divers contracted by Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) will be clearing weed around boat ramps and popular recreational areas between Bendigo Boat ramp and Burton Creek, as well as in the Kawarau Arm.  

LINZ Leader Biosecurity Tracey Burton says lagarosiphon is one of New Zealand’s most problematic aquatic weeds.  

“Lagarosiphon forms dense weed beds that can interfere with activities such as swimming, boating and fishing, and it also poses a significant risk of spreading to other lakes. Effective control in key areas is essential to help prevent this weed from spreading to other lakes in the region.” 

Because Lake Dunstan is continuously reinfested from upstream river systems, LINZ focuses its efforts on reducing the impact of this weed on lake users by prioritising control at high-use areas such as boat ramps and swimming zones. 

The control work in the Kawarau Arm is funded by Contact Energy as part of its Landscape and Visual Amenity Management Plan, which aims to improve the visual quality, public experience, and environmental function of the area. 

The wider control programme in Lake Dunstan is jointly funded by LINZ, Otago Regional Council and Contact Energy.  

”The community can also play a key role in protecting this lake and others from this weed,” says Burton.  

“By remembering to Check, Clean and Dry your gear between waterbodies, we can all help prevent its spread and reduce the risk of other invasive species entering the lake.” 

Image: Lagarosiphon at Lake Dunstan. Credit: NIWA