Sea Lamprey Control Planned for Brandywine Creek

The Van Buren/Cass District Health Department is sharing information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding planned sea lamprey control efforts in Van Buren County.

Between July 14 and July 23, 2026, trained personnel will apply a lampricide to Brandywine Creek to control invasive sea lamprey larvae living in the stream. Treatment dates are tentative and may change based on weather or stream conditions.

Why is the creek being treated?

Sea lampreys are an invasive species that entered the Great Lakes through shipping canals more than 100 years ago. They attach to fish with a suction-like mouth, feed on them, and can kill many native fish during their life cycle.

Treating streams where sea lamprey larvae develop helps protect the Great Lakes ecosystem and supports the region’s sport and commercial fisheries.

What should residents know?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reviewed the safety of lampricides and determined that they do not pose an unreasonable risk to people or the environment when applied according to approved guidelines.

As a precaution:

• Avoid unnecessary contact with Brandywine Creek during treatment.
• Agricultural irrigation using creek water should be suspended during treatment and for 24 hours afterward.
• Anyone keeping bait fish or other aquatic organisms in creek water should use an alternate water source during treatment, as the lampricide may affect aquatic life.

Treatment crews continuously monitor water conditions throughout the application to ensure the correct amount of lampricide is used safely and effectively.

Sea lamprey control has been an important part of Great Lakes conservation since 1958 and helps protect the region’s valuable fisheries and aquatic ecosystems.

For additional information, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s invasive sea lamprey webpage or contact the Ludington Biological Station at (231) 843-7300.