Lake Quinsigamond to get herbicide, residents urged to avoid boating, water use until Thursday

WORCESTER — Local residents are being advised to avoid boating on Lake Quinsigamond and stop using water from the lake for irrigation of plants or lawns or watering livestock until Thursday, after the lake receives herbicide treatment for ‘invasive’ aquatic plants.

The herbicide treatment of the lake is planned for Wednesday, city officials said.

In a statement Monday, Worcester officials said the city’s Department of Sustainability and Resilience, in collaboration with the Lake Quinsigamond Commission, has contracted the application of the herbicide florpyrauxifen-benzyl (trade name ProcellaCOR) to “Management Zone A of Lake Quinsigamond” on Wednesday.

“All persons are advised to discontinue using water from Lake Quinsigamond for irrigation of plants or lawns or watering livestock,” city officials said in their statement. “On the day of the treatment, boating between the narrows at King’s Point and Gauch Park will be discouraged for the duration of the day, to keep clear of application and allow the treatment to take effect without disruption.”

“Recreational use in swimming areas may continue but beaches will be posted prior to the application,” officials said. “The water will be open for all uses again on Thursday.”

According to the city, herbicide treatments are “a safe and effective method to control the growth of the invasive aquatic plants, Eurasian Milfoil, and Variable Leaf Milfoil.”

“The application of herbicides is a common practice to reduce invasive weed density and poses no risk to humans and animals after application is complete, though water use for irrigation is discouraged,” city officials said. “This application has been approved by the Conservation Commissions of Worcester, Shrewsbury, and Grafton.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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