We are very happy to report that the LSCA has earned the Healthy Ecosystems - Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention and Management Grant from the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) for $25,000 to be used for our Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting Program (DASH), and our Greeter Program at the public access boat launch in Wells.

These funds will help to partially fund these very important programs in 2025.

About the Greeter Program:

Our Greeter Program is very important to the health of Lake St. Catherine. Our Greeters have been trained to identify aquatic invasive species (AIS) - like spiny waterflea, golden clams, water chestnut, starry stonewort and zebra mussels - to stop them from entering LSC at the boat launch in Wells. They also educate boaters about the importance of looking for these invasives on their boat or trailer so they are not spread to LSC or another lake. Each year, they do a fantastic job checking vessels and educating the lake community on the dangers of invasive species for Lake St. Catherine. They are on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day - working on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They also cover holidays and fishing tournaments.

About the DASH Program:

Our DASH crew suits up in scuba gear and hand-pulls milfoil by the roots from the lakebed. In sections of lower milfoil density, they will swim the area and hand-pull with mesh bags. In higher density areas, they will set up the DASH equipment which allows them to suction the hand-pulled milfoil up through a tube to a catch table on a boat. Milfoil is then placed in 17.5 gallon buckets for transport off the lake.

Thank you to the LCBP!

The LSCA will continue to work on bringing grant funds to Lake St. Catherine this winter. We are awaiting word on another grant that has already been submitted, and we will be applying for another in February.