Buchanan County discusses weed removal at Lake Contrary meeting

By Chris Fortune

Before deciding to put water back in Lake Contrary, a path must be cleared for a dredge to do its work.

Buchanan County held its second public meeting for Lake Contrary at the Remington Nature Center on Thursday night as a potential dredging project continues to gain traction.

A representative with Opterra Solutions, a company based in Lexington, South Carolina, that specializes in vegetation management, discussed a proposed solution to remove the weeds from the lakebed using an aquatic herbicide called Clearcast.

“It is an enzyme blocker herbicide and what that really is doing is that’s getting into the plant, which sprays on top as a contact application,” Opterra representative Ryan Olive said. “And once it’s on the plant, it begins attacking the fatty enzymes and the amino acid enzymes in the plant, preventing photosynthesis.”

The proposed plan includes deploying a Bell 47 helicopter to spray the weeds. Spraying the entire lake would cost around $60,000.

Some community members have expressed concerns about what product may be used to kill the weeds at Lake Contrary.

“It’s extremely safe to use,” Olive said. “It does not harm any animals, any fish, any crustaceans, any pets that might be in yards. We’re not going to be over spraying on top of people’s property, but it is only harmful to aquatic vegetation.”

Buchanan County shared a proposed outline for dredging Lake Contrary at an initial public meeting in March. Many who attended the March meeting were in support of the dredging project and a similar crowd showed up for Thursday’s meeting.

“I’m glad I made it to the second one,” James Weidinger said. “It’s important for me to attend and know what’s going on in the county. Lake Contrary was a very big attraction in its day.”

Weidinger said his support for the dredging project depends on where the funding is coming from.

“Just depends on how intense it’s going to be and what method they’re going to use and how they’re going to pay for it,” he said. “If they got the money in the bank, I’m for it. But if they want to tax me again, I’m not for it.”

A Lake Contrary resident said he is strongly in favor of dredging because it would generate excitement in the community.

“When I was a kid growing up, we used to go down there and watch people boat,” Richard Sprague said. “My brothers water skied a lot on it as we grew up through the years.”

Commissioner Scott Nelson said the weeds must to be removed before any dredging happens. October is the ideal month to use the product because it gives time for the roots to break down in spring.

“You have to have that sprayed and have that active for six months to be optimal for that application,” Nelson said. “So that, as we talked about, when we start dredging it doesn’t clog up the dredge.”

April 2025 is the earliest date a dredging project could begin, but the United States Army Corps of Engineers must issue a permit for the project before the county considers spraying the weeds.

At this point, the county is not required to do any more testing to acquire a permit, but additional requests can be made while USACE finishes the permitting process.

Nelson said he firmly believes a recreational lake would be beneficial for Buchanan County.

“If you have that lake and it is seen as an asset, I think the ripple effect happens,” Nelson said. “Private industry sees an opportunity. I think it can work.”

Commissioner Ron Hook attended the second public meeting, but Commissioner Scott Burnham was noticeably absent after attending the first meeting.