Martens Lake to be drawn down in fight against brittle naiad - KWWL.com

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will draw down Martens Lake the week of June 25 to help control the spread of brittle naiad.

The DNR says that access to the lake, which is located in the Sweet Marsh Wildlife Management Area, will become difficult for prop-driven boats.  The plan is to lower the level to three feet below normal summer pool until early August. 

Lowering the level of the lake will expose the brittle naiad seeds and plants to the air which will kill the plants that have germinated and stop germination in the seeds that are out of the water.

Brittle naiad, which was found in Martens Lake in 2010, is an invasive aquatic plant that is challenging to control once established.

The area will still be open for use.  The DNR says during last year's drawdown, fishing for panfish and bass remained good.

The DNR expects to return the lake to normal full-pool during September for fall boat-fishing and waterfowl hunting.