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A herd of 300 goats were brought in during the summer of 2023 and 2024 for regenerative <br /> graving on the southwest shore of Ken Mitchell Lake and along the Platte River. This method <br /> has been much effective then mowing and herbicide use. Community education events were held <br /> in conjunction with the grazing. We have received very positive feedback from the community <br /> when the goats are at work. <br /> Mechanical Methods <br /> Mowing—Mowing is a tool to that can be effective for controlling and suppressing certain types <br /> of noxious weeds. When timed correctly, mowing can prevent help reduced weeds from <br /> flowering and dispersing seed. Mowing operations around Ken Michell Lake are ideally done <br /> twice a year; once in mid-summer before weeds produce seeds and again at the end of the <br /> growing season. <br /> String Trimming/Brush Cutting—this form of mechanical control provides the same benefits <br /> as mowing and is utilized in areas that are difficult for large tractor-mounted mowers to access, <br /> such as trail signage, trailheads, structures, wet areas, restoration areas with shrubs, trees, and <br /> sensitive, desirable plantings. Brush cutters are used along the steep banks of the lake where it is <br /> unsafe to mow. <br /> Hand Pulling and Digging—Hand pulling and digging are used to eliminate isolated or <br /> scattered patches of annual and biennial noxious weeds. It can be effective where scattered plants <br /> or small concentrated populations are found. However, digging or pulling large areas or dense <br /> populations of plants disturbs the soil, allowing other noxious weeds to establish. This method is <br /> not effective on deep-rooted or rhizomatous-spreading perennials. This method may also be <br /> utilized in sensitive areas. Manual hand-pulling should be repeated prior to seeds setting at least <br /> twice a year for seven to ten years or longer. The Mile High Youth Corps has performed manual <br /> removal of several List B and C weed species around Ken Mitchell Lake. <br /> Biological Methods <br /> Biological Control—The use of insects that can attack different areas of the plant in different <br /> stages of life can assist in suppressing noxious weed infestations. However, biological control <br /> agents are not utilized on species designated for eradication. The reason is that the management <br /> objective requires the prevention of any seed development, and most field releases take three to <br /> five years for establishment of an insect population to become numerous enough to affect a <br /> noxious weed infestation. Eradication of a noxious weed species cannot be attained through <br /> insect biocontrol alone. The most effective scenario is when the noxious weed infestation is <br /> suppressed to a"tolerable level,"where insect agents are significantly limiting distribution and <br /> abundance of the target noxious weed species, and the noxious weed density is no longer <br /> considered detrimental to the desired plant community. <br /> A colony of Leafy Spurge Beatles were released on the west side of Ken Mitchell Lake in 2023. <br /> As mentioned above, it may take several years before Leafy Spurge is suppressed to a tolerable <br /> level. <br />