Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Identifying plants Chara / Muskgrass - massive bloom

We have always had small amounts of chara in our lake, but this year it has taken off to where it's is actually taken over and clogged some areas.

I have lived on the lake for 19 years and never seen it take over like it's doing now. In some spots it 3-ft thick and is taking over in the shallow coves.

Any ideas what would cause the bloom?

Here are some things that have occurred withing the last year:

1) Seemed we had a carp die off. Do carp keep it in check?

2) We had a decline of our muscovy duck population. Do Muscovy ducks keep in in check?

3) Very mild winter. Does the cold water temps keep it in check?

4) Record rainfall over the last 2 years. Could major flushing of our lake flushed out lawn herbicides that might have been keeping it under control during dryer seasons?

5) We have not stocked crawfish in awhile. Do they keep it in check?

We are a 130 acre urban lake....see www.lakevilbig.org for more info about our lake.

What are your theories?

Three of your items help control Chara 1. Ducks if they can reach the Chara will eat it. 2. Crayfish will eat a lot of it when crays are common to abundant. 3. Carp by making the water turbid will reduce light penetration which Chara needs for growth.
Common lawn herbicides have little impact on Chara growth.

I know Lake Vilbig.
Mild winter temperatures and warm days kept Chara from becoming dormant. It's got a head start into 2017.
Even if the carp were helping keep it in check, I'd trade more Chara for fewer carp any day.
Three feet thick is about as invasive as I've ever seen that plant. It's great habitat for newly hatched bluegills, and other sunfish. If it becomes a problem in areas frequented by people, it's not hard to control.