by Charles Tarbell
Keoka Lake Association (KLA) has deep experience in conducting its own Plant Patrol
during each open water season. Between ten and fifteen intrepid souls take to the water at regular intervals during the summer to “survey” their assigned areas, looking for signs of invasive aquatic plants. This group of dedicated volunteers is capably led by Arne Klepenger. At the same time, in a move we often characterize as “belt & suspenders, " because it complements the Plant Patrol, KLA hires Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) divers to survey certain areas of the lake from in the water during late summer, looking for invasives. KLA has been sponsoring this “checkup," in which three divers swim abreast at five, ten and fifteen feet of depth, each year for the past five years. No invasives have yet been discovered – although the divers have surfaced a lot of litter, and, this year, a few fishing rods.
The target areas for these annual LEA surveys are as follows:
LEA Plant Survey Areas
Odd Years
1. Boat launch and Town Beach
2. Kilburn-Peterson to Kedar Brook
3. Johnson Cove -- Starbird Point to Aloha Boathouse
4. Stone’s Cove
5. Rock Island
6. Keoka Beach Campground to Dam
Even Years
1. Boat launch and Town Beach
2. Brown Cove – Hershberger to Eaton
3. Super Secret Special Fishing Spot -- Jacobson to Sousa
4. Shallow East-side Coves -- Lenassi Cove to Hubbard Trail
5. Kokosing to Konewago
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