Due your water chestnut pulling efforts at Fitz Lake this summer, we’ve decided to cancel the pull tentatively scheduled for September 26. Dick Wynne did a thorough survey of the lake earlier this week and was unable to come up with a single rosette! That, together with the fact that we only got 5 lbs two weeks ago, suggests that we’ve done all we can this summer. As you’ll see from the attached summary, this year’s total yield was a little more than last year’s. I’m not sure why we didn’t see another decrease but there are many possible explanations: better germination, more favorable weather, or simply because you folks did a very thorough and efficient job. That said, I hope you can join us once again in 2021!

Three years ago we implemented a new approach to controlling water chestnut in Fitzgerald Lake called “pull early, pull often.” In 2017, we removed roughly 1,100 lbs. from the lake but in 2018 the yield was down to 300 lbs. and in 2019, to 140 lbs. Though we are pleased with the results so far, viable water chestnut seed can persist for up to ten years on the lake bottom so we plan to continue our more aggressive approach once again this year. We’ll organize crews and begin pulling in June and continue at 3-week intervals throughout the summer. We will need volunteers with canoes or kayaks though we can always use the help of those who don’t have their own boats. Masks will be required while on land. If interested, contact Bob Zimmermann by email (raz@umass.edu) or phone (585-0405) for further information or to volunteer.