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Payette Lake, Valley County
High quality lakes and fisheries are one of Valley County’s greatest resources. When Eurasian Watermilfoil was detected in Payette Lake in 1999, Valley County Weed Control acted swiftly, as an untreated Eurasian watermilfoil infestation could severely affect the ecology and public use of county waters. In 2000, Payette Lake was surveyed and a multiyear Integrated Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan was implemented to remove Eurasian watermilfoil from the lake. Diver dredging, hand removal, and bottom barrier placement have consistently lessened the density of Eurasian watermilfoil infestations, with approximately 120,000 pounds of Eurasian watermilfoil removed in six years.
In 2007, Valley County was awarded ISDA funds to continue the diver dredging operations and to expand the temporary bottom barrier placement program. Summer surveys indicated that control efforts had reduced the Eurasian watermilfoil infestation to approximately 6 acres, with an additional 5 acres of very sparse plants.
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Photos of the Payette Lake Eurasian Watermilfoil Control Program
 Payette Lake |
 Diver dredging boat |
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Aquatic Species Found in Payette Lake
- Aquatic Plants Native to Idaho
- Chara (plant-like algae in the genus Chara)
- Common Waterweed (Elodea canadensis)
- Fern-leaf Pondweed (Potamogeton robbinsii)
- Flat-stem Pondweed (Potamogeton zosteriformis)
- Leafy Pondweed (Potamogeton foliosus)
- Needle Spike-rush (Eleocharis acicularis)
- Nitella (plant-like algae in the genus Nitella)
- Northern Milfoil (Myriophyllum sibericum)
- Slender Water-nymph (Najas flexilis)
- Tapegrass (Vallisneria americana) (Native to Eastern N. America)
- White Water-buttercup (Ranunculus aquatilis)
- Idaho Fish and Game - Fish Stocking Information
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Invasive Species Watch List
Ponds, lakes and streams in this area may be at risk of invasion by the following aquatic or riparian weeds. If you think you have detected these or any other invasive weeds, contact the Valley County Weed Control Office at (208) 382-7199.
- Information about species on the Idaho Noxious Weed List
- Other invasive species to watch for