Ft. Meadow Reservoir In Marlborough Off Limits For Herbicide Treatment

MARLBOROUGH, MA — A popular boating and swimming area in Marlborough and Hudson will be off-limits for one day for herbicide treatment.

Boaters and swimmers are being asked to avoid the Fort Meadow reservoir on June 1 so the Fort Meadow Commission can apply a herbicide to kill non-native plants like watermilfoil and fanwort.

"These species of plants are invasive, non-native weeds that if not controlled will spread and grow rapidly and choke the lake making boating, swimming and fishing difficult," the commission said in a news release.

The herbicide is not necessarily harmful to humans or pets, according to the commission, but the water needs to remain undisturbed for it to work. The herbicide also won't harm native lake plants.

On top of swimmers and boaters, the commission is advising nearby residents not to use lake water to water pets or livestock until June 3; not to drink or cook with lake water until June 5; and not to irrigate with lake water until June 6 because the herbicide can harm lawns.

The Fort Meadow Commission also wants boaters to do their part by checking boats and trailers for hitchhiking weeds.