Milfoil is a submerged aquatic plant with delicate, densely packed, feather-like leaves surrounding a central stem. Milfoil is not native to our state and is very difficult to control once it becomes fully established. Milfoil reproduces through fragmentation, when plant fragments break off from the parent plant through wind or boat action, grow roots, and settle in new locations. Milfoil spreads rapidly and displaces beneficial native plant life. It makes swimming difficult and can devalue waterfront property.
Milfoil management on Forest Lake is a task we must all work on together. The plants can grow almost anywhere. The campground channel, dam outlet, and areas from the town beach to the campground beach and the entire south end are this lake's most common growth zones.
Sue Baney, ably assisted by her husband Tim, are our Milfoil Coordinators. New Hampshire DES surveys and maps the lake in the spring and provide a detailed report every year. The Procellacor herbicide treatment (which the state recommends) in August 2024 worked well. The DES survey for 2026 found milfoil in the campground channel. Aqualogic divers have worked on the campground channel in 2026. Our volunteer diver, Mike Davidson found milfoil in the boat channel and dam pond. Mike has almost eliminated the milfoil in these two area and should finish by end of 2026.
The FLIA and the Winchester Conservation Commission work continuously with the DES to oversee the lake's conditions and the growth of milfoil.
