In 2013, Skamania County Noxious Weed Control Program (SCNWCP) and the US Forest Service (Gifford Pinchot) conducted a brief aquatic species survey on Coldwater Lake in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) was discovered near the outlet of the lake.

In 2014, the SCNWCP was awarded funding from the Washington Department of Ecology to conduct a more complete survey of the lake and create an Integrated Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan. Surveys were conducted in 2014 and the full extent of the milfoil population was mapped.

In 2015, the USFS and the SCNWCP collaborated to perform manual control of the milfoil. The USFS Dive team was included in the project in order to safely and efficiently hand pull the milfoil. The photographs below are from the 2015 eradication project. All photos taken by the SCNWCP unless otherwise noted.

Staff from SCNWCP and Mt St Helens Institute survey Coldwater Lake for aquatic species Staff from SCNWCP and Mt St Helens Institute survey Coldwater Lake for aquatic species.

SCNWCP and USFS staff install catch net downstream of project area.

Staff getting the net in place. Photo by Heather Ibsen, USFS

Surveying Coldwater Creek.

USFS Divers hand pull Eurasian watermilfoil in Coldwater Creek. Photo by Heather Ibsen, USFS

USFS Diver hand pulling Eurasian watermilfoil. Photo by Heather Ibsen, USFS

Staff from SCNWCB, USFS, Mt. St. Helens Institute, and Cowlitz County NWCB collaborate on project to eradicate invasive milfoil in Coldwater Creek. Photo by Heather Ibsen

Ken Wieman, USFS & Cyndi Soliz, SCNWCP, survey Coldwater Creek. Photo by Heather Ibsen, USFS

USFS staff take the opportunity to talk with Ohio high school students about the project. Photo by Ken Meyer, USFS

USFS Dive team uses scuba gear to reach the deep infestations. Photo by Ken Meyer, USFS

USFS Diver searches for Eurasian watermilfoil in the cattails. Photo by Ken Meyer, USFS