Curlyleaf Pondweed in Lake Minnetonka

Curlyleaf pondweed is the ‘other’ exotic weed in Lake Minnetonka. Curlyleaf pondweed has been in Minnesota for about 100 years, and probably in Lake Minnetonka for that long. This weed can also become a nuisance, but in Lake Minnetonka is more often overshadowed by milfoil. By the time you read this, curlyleaf pondweed will have died back naturally.

Curlyleaf pondweed has been in the news recently because several area lakes have problems with it and are attempting to control it. In Lake Minnetonka, as milfoil control becomes more comprehensive, we will need to be careful to also pay attention to curlyleaf pondweed. The Lake Vegetation Management Plan, now under development, will address this potential nuisance.