Biodiversity
Algae & Microscopic Organisms
What is the scum floating on the lake?
It could be a blue-green algae bloom. Algae blooms can occur when there are nutrients in the water column and the temperature is warm.
Algae in the lake can affect water clarity. Secchi disks are round black and white disks lowered into the water from the surface. Clarity is gauged by how far down the disks go into the water before disappearing.
Vegetation
Aquatic plants are a natural element of lake ecosystems and serve many important functions, including:
1) providing oxygen;
2) stabilizing shorelines and bottom sediments;
3) providing habitat for fish, amphibians, invertebrates, birds, and mammals;
4) reducing nutrients through uptake; and preventing algal blooms.
Devils Lake has a long history of aquatic plant problems. Macrophytes (large vascular aquatic plants) obtain their nutrients from bottom sediments. Aquatic plants will always be a management issue for Devils Lake due to the fact that the lake is very shallow and has an abundance of rich nutrients in the bottom sediments.
Devils Lake has also been plagued over the years with several invasive or non-native plant species. Invasive non-native weeds are plants that have been introduced to this region through human activities, and due to aggressive growth patterns and lack of natural enemies in this region, spread rapidly into native plant habitats. This can reduce habitat diversity, food, and shelter for many fish and wildlife species, and the ability of the natural environment to perform a wide variety of important ecological functions.
Two of the most aggressive non-native aquatic plant species that have been present in
Devils Lake include: Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) and Brazilian elodea (Egeria densa). Eurasian watermilfoil reproduces vegetatively. Its invasiveness stems from its ability to regrow from tiny fragments. This exotic species has been known to grow up to 20 feet in length! In the years following the introduction of grass carp there was a drastic change in plant community composition in Devils Lake. Brazilian elodea invaded the lake and completely displaced Eurasian watermilfoil.
It is interesting to note that Devils Lake has had native varieties of both of these species.
The native species typically are not as aggressive as non-natives and are known for remaining in a relatively balanced setting. Other native species known to have recently inhabited the lake include: Coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum), Waterweed or common

elodea (Elodea canadensis), Water celery (Vallisneria americana), and several species of pondweeds (Potamogeton spp.).
Submerged and floating-leaved plants are rooted in the lake bed with their foliage either suspended below the surface, floating upon it, or both. Pondweeds are a large, variable genera composed of primarily submergent and floating-leaved plants. The stems arise from fibrous roots and are flexible. Pondweeds will often have radically different submergent and floating leaves on the same plant. Underwater leaves are thin and delicate, and floating leaves are tough, leathery, and oval in shape. The flowers are usually in oblong or ball-like species that may be above or just below the water's surface.
The habitats of various species of pondweeds vary, but typically pondweeds are found in lakes to a depth of 12 to 15 feet. Pondweeds are an important food source for many waterfowl species. They may also pose a nuisance by forming dense growth, curtailing the recreational uses of lakes.
The Devils Lake Water Improvement District (DLWID) contracted with researchers from
Portland State University during 1995-1996 to conduct a revegetation and water quality study. This revegetation study was conducted to determine whether a revegetated lakebed is more resistant to invasion and establishment of Brazilian elodea than an unvegetated lake bed. Grass carp exclosures were established in the northwest arm of the lake in May
1995.
Four planting treatments were applied to the exclosures:
1) Sago pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus)
2) Water celery (Vallisneria americana)
3) Sago pondweed plus water celery, and
4) a control with no planting
The revegetation study indicated that the lake bed will become quickly revegetated if grass carp are removed from the lake. A number of native species colonized the grass carp exclosures. Planting the exclosures did not result in establishment of the planted species. Rather, "volunteer" species dominated the exclosures. Brazilian elodea, when introduced into the exclosures, did not become established. Eurasian watermilfoil did establish in one exclosure as a volunteer species.
A stand of low-growing waterwort (Elatine sp.) was present within the exclosures in
1995. Waterwort was even found outside the exclosures, suggesting that it is relatively unpalatable for grass carp. Other species commonly found in the exclosures included:
Najas spp., Nitella spp., and Calitriche spp.
Year-to-year changes in the composition of the macrophyte community in the exclosures indicated that plant community composition is highly dynamic in the short-term, and that development of a stable plant community after grass carp removal may require several years.

We do know now that too many grass carp were introduced into Devils Lake. As a result, the complete eradication of all the submersed aquatic plants has occurred. This has subsequently led to the drastic decline in the warmwater fishery and the drastic increase in the frequency and severity of algal blooms.
So where do we go from here? The lake is out of balance once again, and I believe we need to re-establish a balanced population of native aquatic plants. This in terms of lake and watershed management techniques is easier said than done. We also need to develop and permanently install warning signs at all public boat launch areas around the lake.
These signs would help to educate and alert boaters about the problems associated with non-native aquatic plant species. For example, Eurasian watermilfoil is commonly spread by careless boaters who do not remove milfoil fragments from their boat or trailer when leaving an infested lake.
Aquatic plant management should be approached in an integrated manner to ensure balance of uses and protection of natural resources - there are no quick fixes. There are four types of aquatic plant control techniques: physical, chemical, mechanical, and biological. Each technique has its advantages and disadvantages. The most effective long-term control of aquatic plants assesses a variety of control measures in combination with source controls of sediment and nutrients. Controlling watershed sources through the use of best management practices (BMPs) is essential to the long-term health and sustainability of a lake ecosystem.
A lake cannot be all things to all people. Dependent upon where you live and how you use the lake may very well determine how you will view and accept or tolerate certain types of plants in various locations throughout the lake. A bass fisher welcomes a diverse plant community to provide structure and habitat for the fishery. A water-skier or sailboat owner may not.
There are some aquatic plants and emergent species that only grow in the nearshore areas such as pondlilies and yellow iris and several submergent species that typically grow relatively low in relation to the bottom. These include: waterweed or elodea, bushy pondweed or naiad, and nitella spp. These species might be ideally suited in Devils Lake.
They have the potential to provide the plant benefit without significantly impacting the recreational uses of the lake. Only time may perhaps tell what will become of the aquatic plant community composition in Devils Lake. I believe we must continue to educate, monitor, and evaluate.
In some respects, the future aquatic plant composition will not be up to us. On the other hand, we contribute to the problem and we must begin to change our behaviors. Simple things we all can do:
• maintain your on-site septic system
• cover up exposed soil areas

• reduce the amount of fertilizer use on lawns and gardens and
• maintain or replant a native vegetative buffer along the lake shoreline. by Bob Storer, former DLWID manager
Wildlife
Birds
A brochure on Birds of the Lincoln City Area is available from the VCB. Around Devils
Lake watch for:
1. Dabbling Ducks: American Coot, American Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard
2. Diving Ducks: Bufflehead, Canvasback, Ruddy Duck, Ring-necked Duck
3. Fish-Eating Birds: Cormorant, Pied-Billed Grebe, Western Grebe.
Countless other birds such as the Blue Heron, Egret, and Belted-Kingfisher can be seen around the lake.
An active bald eagle nest is located to the east of Devils Lake. They have been seen dipping down into the lake to catch fish. Thanks to PADL member Al Rice, Devils Lake has around 40 wood duck boxes. He tabulates their hatching success and reports annually.
At one time Devils Lake was one of the primary wintering areas for waterfowl along the
Oregon Coast. After the Grass Carp depleted the vegetation, Devils Lake was no longer a primary wetland habitat for migratory birds. Neotropical migratory birds have been of particular concern. International Migratory Bird Day is the second Saturday in May.
Their website is www.birdday.org.
Hunting Waterfowl on Devils Lake is prohibited.
Fish
Devils Lake is stocked annually with rainbow trout. Years ago there used to be black crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill, and yellow perch. After the introduction of the grass carp there has been a decline and even elimination of some species.
Mammals
Devils lake is home to beaver, muskrat, nutria. The surrounding environment is home to raccoon, deer, opossum, bats. On Hwy 101 there is a sign to watch for elk crossing. A resident elk herd can has been seen on the Devils Lake Golf Course.
Coho Salmon - an amazing and unique migration
At PADL's annual meeting on June 24, 2000, speaker Bob Buckman, District Fish
Biologist, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife from Newport, spoke about coho salmon in the lake. Devils Lake and Rock Creek have a very important, small, wild coho salmon population listed as a threatened species, and the state of Oregon is making a major effort to recover that species. The lake and creek have about 100 to 200 adult coho

spawners each winter. Juveniles in Rock Creek in the summer number about 10,000, and the number in the lake is unknown. A smolt trap has been placed at the mouth of the D
River to study their migration, but the trapping efficiency is not known. Uniquely this population spawns from Christmas to the end of January, the latest on the central and northern Oregon coast. Rock Creek has the highest coho density on the north coast, higher than 100 surveys that include Siletz, Nestucca, Tillamook, and Nehalem. Coho spawn in December or primarily January, juveniles emerge out of the ground about April, stay in the fresh water lake about one full year, then about the following April, May, or
June go to the ocean. Bob shared coho population statistics. Bob said ODFW's priority is to native fish (as opposed to warmwater and panfish) and they would like to see conditions remain the same in the lake.
In the past electrofishing was used to bring the fish to the surface to be counted and measured; however, now nets are used to catch the fish for study.
Birds
The Great Blue Heron is the largest bird appearing around Devils Lake. The Canada
Goose also migrates through the area. Dabbling ducks include the American Coot,
Gadwall, American Wigeon, and the Mallard. At one time there were hundreds of
American Coots wintering on Devils Lake, but with little vegetation in the lake for food their numbers are much less. Diving Ducks include the Bufflehead, Canvasback, Ringnecked Duck, and the Ruddy Duck. Fish-eating birds include the Cormorant, Pied-Billed
Grebe, Western Grebe and Bald Eagle. Swallows nest under docks near the water.
Songbirds, mostly migrants including Neotropicals, help keep the foliage eating insect population down. Insect eating birds and bats help reduce the need to use chemicals for insect control. A bird list of the Lincoln City area with detectability codes is available from PADL, or the Visitor and Convention Bureau.
At one time Devils Lake was one of the primary wintering areas for waterfowl along the
Oregon Coast. The density of waterfowl was greater than any other wetland habitat on the Coast. Swans used to be on Devils Lake in the 1980's. The swans came from
Laurelhurst Park. Swans are very territorial.
Wood Ducks: PADL member Al Rice has spent countless volunteer hours helping the wood duck population of Devils Lake. One of the most beautiful of all ducks, they nest in boxes in trees. Al has Taft High School students build the boxes with help from DLWID, and PADL. In the 1999-2000 year 32 wood duck boxes were put up, there were 4 successful hatches for a count of 44 birds as of June, 2000. The previous year he counted
92 baby ducks out of 22 boxes. In 2001 Al's wood ducks arrived on March 8, the same date as the previous year. Wood duck boxes were also placed at the Spring Lake Open
Space, a small lake that drains into Devils Lake.
Bald Eagles: An active bald eagle nest is located to the east of Devils Lake. A pair of eagles use Devils Lake as a feeding site. The food resources of the eagles using the lake includes the large number of fish and waterfowl in the area. According to Al Rice the
Bald Eagle nest on the lake is checked by helicopter. The Devils Lake nest had two young in 2000, the same as the previous year.

Waterfowl Watch: In 1995 every Wednesday morning at 8:30, rain or wind notwithstanding, 22 dedicated PADL members counted waterfowl at designated spots around the lake. Those living on the lake know the conditions. For example, in fly-overs,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife noted "no coots". On the same day PADL members counted 200 coots in the water. The counts stopped at the end of May with the departure of migratory birds. Indicator species included Bufflehead, Canada Goose, Canvasback, Coot,
Cormorant, Mallard, Ring-necked, Ruddy, Scaup, Shoveler, Widgeon.
Other Wildlife
Beaver: They try to avoid human activity, but try looking for them in the early quiet hours of the morning, or near twilight. Look for signs of their work, chewed branches and twigs, dropped trees, dams and lodges.
Nutria: They are often confused with beaver. Nutria are non-native species. They can sometimes be seen swimming in the lake.
Blacktail Mule Deer: Smaller (100-300 pounds) than their elk cousins with whom they share the coastal forest range, mule deer travel alone or in small family groups. Brown or gray, they have a white rump patch with black on the tail. And large ears, that rotate to tune in to the slightest sound.
Roosevelt Elk: The largest member of the deer family found in Oregon, elk weigh up to
1000 pounds and travel in herds - but that hardly makes them easy to find, at least not for humans who are its main predator. Note the ELK CROSSING sign on Hwy 18 just north of the lake.
Amphibians such as salamanders use the lake. Frogs live around the lily pads. Bats are a valuable to the lake ecosystem, and help reduce the bug population. Moles, raccoon, opossum reside around the lake.
Four easy steps to preserve wildlife in your area include providing food, water, cover, and places to raise young. Naturescaping, a place to attract wildlife, is a resource from the
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Riparian areas along the lake shoreline are important to fish and wildlife. Be a good lake steward and find out what you can do to provide a riparian buffer. home