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Water Chestnuts Ready for Invasion
John DeHollander
Oswego County Soil and Water Conservation District
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| "Aquatic Plants of New England Series: Trapa natans L." Crow and Hellquist 1983. Illustration by Pam Burns. |
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Having for years battled Eurasian milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) that clogged the north end of the Lake, we are now on the lookout for a new foe. Concern about aquatic vegetation takeover is shifting to another non-native species, Water Chestnut (Trapa natans). Neighboring Seneca River is already plagued with this glossy, green, triangular-leaved plant that can easily choke water bodies, out competing the native flora. Because its foliage can create a dense, nearly impenetrable mat at the surface, fishing, swimming, boating, and other recreational activities are severely limited.
During the past two decades, Water Chestnut has spread throughout the Central New York river/canal system from Cross Lake to Oneida Lake, and into the Oswego River Corridor. It now consumes well over 100 acres of our beautiful, quiet interior waterways, and its range is ever expanding. The shallow depths and soft sediments at the both ends of Cayuga Lake, makes Cayuga Lake prime territory for the expansion of this exotic species. Therefore, our primary mission is to keep Water Chestnuts out of Cayuga Lake.
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If left uncontrolled, Water Chestnut will promote:
- loss of waterfront property values
- loss of native aquatic plant species
- loss of fish habitat
- loss of recreational opportunities (boating, fishing,
swimming)
- loss of natural aesthetics and restrict economic
development along our beautiful canal system, to which
Cayuga Lake is connected
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The Cayuga Lake Watershed Network has joined forces with
other agencies to mount an education and monitoring campaign
to stop the movement of Water Chestnut. Education is key because
many people are unfamiliar with the plant and how it can be
accidentally transported. Boat traffic is a common means of
transport from one water body to another. Waterfowl can do
the same, and both people and natural events can release bits
of the plant that then float downstream where they establish
a new colony.
We need to hit this targeted plant hard and quickly as soon as it is arrives. Physical removal by hand pulling is an effective control of Water Chestnut for small and newly established populations. Learn to identify Water Chestnut, report any findings to the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network, and remove it as soon as the plant appears and definitely before it produces seeds. This annual weed dies back each year but the hard, spiny seeds sink to the bottom where they persist. A single seed, which sprouts in early spring, can produce 300 new seeds in a single year.
Chemical treatment using a selective herbicide can be permitted by DEC,
if the necessary conditions are met. Area resource managers are currently
investigating possible biological control agents for Water
Chestnut. Since this invasive plant plagues water bodies in
other parts of the northeastern United State including Lake
Champlain, there is much to be gained by finding effective
controls. Collectively, with these continued efforts, Water
Chestnut can be stopped from spreading and over time even
be reradiated from Central New York, as well as from the other
infested parts of this country.
How You Can Help
- Remove all plants and plant fragments from boat propellers
and trailers before leaving launch sites.
- Dispose of the plants in a trash receptacle.
- Drain all bilge water, live well and bait buckets before
leaving infested waterways.
- Learn to identify Water Chestnut and other aquatic weeds.
- Know which bodies of water are currently infested and
use caution in these areas.
- Get involved! Report sitings, pull Water Chestnut and
encourage your neighbors to do the same.
- Spread the work, not the plant.
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