City Re-opens Griffy Lake to Privately Owned Watercraft

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 3, 2007   For more information contact Steve Cotter, Natural Resources Manager, City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, (812) 349-3736   BLOOMINGTON, IN - The Indiana Department of Natural Resources announced last week it has successfully reduced the growth of the invasive aquatic plant Brazilian elodea in Griffy Lake, and that access restrictions will be relaxed beginning this weekend.   Beginning May 5, private watercraft may once again be launched on Griffy Lake. Boat motors are limited to electric trolling motors only. All watercraft must be inspected by City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation staff upon removal from the lake, and all plant material must be removed.   Boats may be launched starting at 8 a.m. and must be removed from the lake by 7:30 p.m. Access will be restricted outside these times. Boaters who launch their boats onto Griffy Lake must purchase a $4 daily launch permit, available at the boathouse.   City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Natural Resources Manager Steve Cotter said the Parks and Recreation Department hopes to be able to completely eliminate access restrictions later this year.   Griffy Lake was closed to private watercraft in June 2005 after Brazilian elodea was found, in an attempt to prevent its spread to other bodies of water.   The severity of the infestation resulted in the IDNR's decision to treat the entire lake with the aquatic herbicide Sonar several times during 2006. A plant survey last fall revealed that the herbicide treatment had reduced the Brazilian elodea population by more than 95 percent.   Only two small sprigs of Brazilian elodea were found during an aquatic vegetation survey at Griffy Lake on April 10. Doug Keller, IDNR aquatic invasive species coordinator, said in a prepared statement that he never expected total eradication in a year.   Sonar was again applied to Griffy Lake May 1. After its application, there is an even lower risk of spreading Brazilian elodea.   The Griffy Lake boathouse is open daily, May through September, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Rowboats, canoes and kayaks are available for rent at the boathouse for $5 per hour.   ###