WEED WATCHERS - An Association to Halt the Spread of Invasive Aquatic Plants in NH
Milfoil (Myriophyllum heteroplyllum, Myriophyllum spicatum) and fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana)
are exotic aquatic plants that have become economic and recreational
nuisances in some of New Hampshire’s lakes and ponds. Dense stands of
these plants inhabit shoreline areas frequented by boaters. Exotic
plants can create the following problems:
Displacement of beneficial wildlife,
Reduction of aesthetic quality of lakes,
Devaluation of waterfront property,
Littering of beaches with plant fragments,
Makes swimming difficult and dangerous,
Snags fish lines and stunts fish life,
Becomes tangled in outboard motor propellers, boat trailers and automobile bumpers,
Chokes boat traffic lanes,
Requires substantial funds for management or removal.
The spread of these plants to other uninfected waterbodies by boaters has increased over the past few years. (see "Lake Hosts"). If accidentally introduced into a lake, invasive weeds grow at an explosive rate. Once fully established, they are virtually impossible to eradicate.
Weed Watchers, a volunteer association dedicated to monitoring the lakes and ponds for the presence of exotic weeds, was formed by the NH DES in 1988. Weed Watchers attend special training to enable them to patrol their sections of a water body and identify native and exotic species present. The Newfound Lake Region Association is always looking for more volunteers for this important work.
While the Newfound Lake is believed to be free of any invasive species, constant monitoring and vigilance is necessary to keep it that way!
