Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants Milfoil and watermeal

I have a 1.7 acre pond that has been overrun with milfoil and water meal this past summer.I am in southeastern pa. The pond was dug out 4 years ago. It is tear drop shaped, depth is 12 feet at the large end tapering up to 3 feet at the smaller end. It is fed by diverting water from a creek. Last year I had just a small bit of milfoil.
I have reviewed many of the older posts but most of the info seems to relate to northern and western states and canada. Is there some one closer to my area that could give me some answers? I have purchased a Vertex aerator system but am waiting until spring to start it up.
I really do not want to use chemicals but so far it looks like I am going to have to spray in the spring just to get on top of the milfoil and hope that the aerator will give me some help.As far as the water meal, I have not seen that before.
From listening to what you all have said it sounds like it is pretty hard to get rid of. Any chance that a good freezing over the winter will kill it for good?
Has anyone had any sucess with Habitat in controling these particular weeds??

Well the first thing I would do is look at your inflow water. Watermeal requires high nutrient levels to produce/reproduce. Is it possible to redivert the creek and rely soley on runoff to keep your pond level satisfactory?

No, I have tried that and after the level dropped 2 feet I let the creek back in. I am sure there are some nutrients coming in from the creek but I don`t think they are that high.Plus I do like to have a good flow of water going through to keep the pond from becoming stagnent. The source of the creek is a spring which is 3/4 mile upstream. I believe that most of the nutrients are coming from leaves and grass falling into the pond plus some run-off of chemicals from the lawns upstream. That`s why I think the Vertex system will provide me with some relief.
I also have realized that my grass carp have been in about 4 years now and after reading the posts on that subject I am going to start a yearly program of putting in new and removing old grass carp.