TRC Consultant Reports & Plans

Both the extent and density of fanwort growth within Cedar Meadow Lake was notably lower in August 2025 than in August 2024 (the previous aquatic plant mapping event). In 2025, fanwort growth was limited to approximately 25.9 acres of sparse cover (<26% cover), with most growth located away from shoreline areas (Figure 2). In contrast, fanwort occupied approximately 102.3 acres of the lake in August of 2024, with dense cover (>50% cover) accounting for nearly 5.8 acres of this growth (TRC 2024).

Approximately 15.9 acres of variable-leaf milfoil growth was documented at Cedar Meadow Lake during the August 2025 vegetation survey (Figure 3). This species was observed in numerous discontinuous patches, both along the shoreline and in offshore areas. Growth was primarily sparse to patchy (<51% cover), though one small (0.24 acres) but very dense bed was observed along the central eastern shoreline of the lake (Figure 3).

Though variable-leaf milfoil extent and  density decreased in areas treated with 

herbicides in July 2025 (Figure 1), growth of this species increased in non-treated 

areas (Figure 3). This resulted in a marked increase in total variable-leaf milfoil coverage in Cedar Meadow Lake in 2025 (15.9 acres) compared to 2024 (4.6 acres, TRC 2024) and 2022 (0.4 acres, TRC 2022). Reduced competition from fanwort for space and resources, and interannual variability in environmental factors, may contribute to this increase in variable-leaf milfoil coverage.

Aquatic Plant Species Documented at Cedar Meadow Lake during the 2025 Late-Season Survey.

Common Name / Scientific Name

Watershield / Brasenia schreberi

Fanwort / Cabomba caroliniana

Muskwort / Chara spp.

Waterwort / Elatine spp.

Spikerush / Eleocharis spp.

Waterweed / Elodea spp.

Variable-leaf milfoil / Myriophyllum heterophyllum

Bushy Naiad / Najas flexilis

Southern Naiad / Najas guadalupensis

Stonewort / Nitella spp.

Yellow Water / Lily Nuphar variegata

White Water / Lily Nymphaea odorata

Bigleaf Pondweed / Potamogeton amplifolius

Thinleaf Pondweed / Potamogeton spp.

Purple Bladderwort / Utricularia purpurea

Common Bladderwort / Utricularia vulgaris

Water Celery / Valisineria americana

Bold text indicates exotic species