(Fairmont, MN)--The City of Fairmont first began treating the Chain of Lakes for the invasive curly-leaf pondweed in mid-May, with help from Premier Lake Harvesting. As the first phase is preparing to wrap up in July, the city council says its hoping to get an earlier start next year.

City Councilmember-at-large Britney Kawecki told KEYC-TV the invasive weed had been dormant in local lakes up until three to four years ago.

After it became active, Kawecki says it has become a problem for local fishing, boating and tourism.

The weed can grow in depths of up to 15 feet and crowds out other native plants in the lake. Kawecki says Amber Lake and George Lake have had it the worst. Due to their shallow depth,  the weed has a heavy presence.

Premier Lake Harvesting has been helping the city by pulling the weeds out of the water, putting them through a combine and burying the remains on the shoreline to prevent it from replanting.