Protecting Lake Wentworth and Crescent Lake with a WWA Milfoil Control DASH Boat
The Wentworth Watershed Association is seeking $30,000 to purchase and maintain a Mini DASH Boat, a purpose-built floating work platform that will dramatically increase milfoil removal capacity while improving the safety and efficiency of our Volunteer Dive Team. This compact, shallow-draft vessel is designed specifically for aquatic invasive species control, supporting direct suction harvesting, equipment staging, and on-board milfoil collection.
Why the DASH Boat Matters:
Doubles Milfoil Removal Efficiency
- Supports Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH), allowing the Dive Team to remove significantly more milfoil per day
- Reduces the time required to clear major infestation areas from weeks to days
- Increases operational efficiency, enabling the team to focus effort where it is most needed within current priority areas
Improves Diver Safety and Working Conditions
- Provides a stable, organized platform for DASH pumps, hoses, and harvesting equipment
- Reduces physical strain by minimizing repeated gear transport and heavy milfoil handling
- Enables one-diver-at-a-time operations for better coordination and situational awareness
- Supports supplied-air diving directly from the platform when appropriate
Expands Access to Priority Areas
- Operates effectively in shallow water, wetlands, and soft-bottom habitats where milfoil often establishes
- Equipped with a donated Minn Kota electric trolling motor for precise, low-impact positioning, plus a 15 hp outboard for lake-wide access
- Allows divers to work closer to infestation sites, increasing efficiency and reducing fatigue
Enhances On-Water Operations
- Serves as a centralized hub for milfoil harvesting and coordination
- Allows on-board accumulation of milfoil, reducing repeated trips to shore
- Supports future integration of underwater cameras, GPS mapping, monitoring tools, and
lighting for overcast conditions when identifying milfoil is more difficult, boosting Weed Watcher efficiency
A Strategic Investment in Lake Protection
The DASH Boat strengthens WWA’s long-term invasive species program by:
- Making volunteer time more effective and sustainable
- Providing a safe training platform for new divers
- Increasing total milfoil removal without increasing staffing
- Demonstrating WWA’s commitment to professional, science-based lake management
- Serving as a visible symbol of community and donor investment in lake health
Budget & Sustainability
- Boat purchase: $22,000
- Maintenance, storage, upkeep (3–5 years): $8,000
- Total Project Goal: $30,000
Recognition Opportunities
Donors contributing 50% or more of the project cost ($15,000+) will receive prominent
recognition for supporting one of WWA’s most impactful lake-protection tools.
Make an Impact
Your support will:
- Accelerate invasive milfoil removal
- Improve diver safety and efficiency
- Protect native habitat and water quality
- Strengthen WWA’s capacity to care for our lakes for generations
Join us in equipping our Dive Team with the tools they need to more effectively control milfoil.
To help kick off the project, a generous donor will match the first $5,000 in donations. Gifts made by March 30th will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000—doubling your impact.
The boat, as seen to the right, will be outfitted with carefully designed features and tools for effective aquatic invasive species control. Below is a photo of milfoil, the primary invasive species targeted by this effort, taken by Dive Team member Colin Ross.
