Invasive aquatic plants are part of a worldwide problem with invasive species of all kinds and are a threat to recreation and habitat of our lakes, ponds and rivers. Invasive aquatic plants are present in our region, so we want to be part of the effort to track what types might be in our local water bodies. We are part of the Weed Watchers program, a statewide network of volunteers that is overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, which provides materials and training for citizens interested in learning to identify and record the presence of invasive aquatic plants in their region. We recently held a training event to prepare volunteer monitors to take part in surveys over the coming months.
Invasive aquatic plants are not new to this region and have been documented in water bodies in the Ipswich as well as Parker and Essex River watersheds. Water chestnut is present at Upper and Lower Mill Pond in Rowley and the Parker River Clean Water Association has organized cleanups to control this invasive plant. Other varieties include Eurasian mifoil, variable milfoil and fanwort, types that all grow below the water surface. What these plants have in common is that they can eventually take over a pond, crowding out native plants and reducing habitat for fish other aquatic life as well as limiting swimming and boating. Our goal is to keep track of where invasive aquatic plants may be present in certain lakes and ponds with the hope of early detection before infestations can take hold.
We plan to survey ponds over the summer months when these plants are most visible. Proper identification is important, so we practiced using the identification guide created by DCR for the Weed Watchers Program. Surveys have been done for Hood Pond and Chebacco Lake and we are also interested in Stiles Pond and Four Mile Pond in Boxford, Pleasant Pond in Hamilton and Norwood Pond in Beverly. Although the training took place, there should still be opportunities for volunteers to get involved. Please contact Ryan at [email protected] or (978)412-8200 for more information.
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