Invasive or Nuisance Species - Milfoil (Myriophyllum sibiricum and Myriophyllum spicatum)

Runyan Lake has a significant population of Northern Milfoil, a native non-invasive species generally located at or near the drop offs.  Dense growth can reach the water surface and prevent sunlight from reaching other native weeds as well as affect navigation.  If left uncontrolled these dense growth areas die back in the winter, falling to the lake bottom and creating layers of silt and oxygen depletion from decomposition.

Eurasian Milfoil is an exotic plant, introduced to the U.S. by the aquarium industry. It is rapidly becoming a major nuisance throughout North America. It is capable of rapid dispersion, principally by fragmentation of plant parts. Each fragment is capable of growing roots and developing into a new plant. Eurasian Watermilfoil is quite competitive with native species and may completely dominate a plant community within a few years after introduction. Due to the plant's ability to form dense growth, water use activities may become severely impaired.  Eurasian milfoil can dominate a lake's ecology and reduce the native plants that fish feed on.  These plants are of little value to wildlife or fisheries.