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BEWARE OF NEWEST INVASIVE, HYDRILLA
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The newest invasive plant, more of an environmental threat than the milfoils, is hydrilla. Since this plant was found by a seasonal resident at Pickerel Pond in Limerick last year, concern has grown that it could spread to other Maine lakes and ponds.
"There are 11 species of invasive aquatic plants and hydrilla is considered to be the worst of the worst," said Roberta Hill, manager of the Maine Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants, a project of the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program in Turner. The smallest fragment of hydrilla can sprout roots and is difficult to eradicate. It's frequently transported from lake to lake and between states on the bottoms of boats and on boat trailers.
Hydrilla, native to Africa, Asia and Australia, was first introduced in the U.S. in Florida as an aquarium plant (much as was Invasive Milfoil) and has been a problem since 1962. It's considered Florida's most serious invasive aquatic problem, having infested more than 65,000 acres of lakes, rivers, streams and canals. Dense mats affect water quality and temperature. Stagnant water created by hydrilla mats provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes. It may also interfere with recreational activities, including swimming, boating, fishing and water skiing.
Education of the public is important to finding and eradicating invasive plants. The Maine DEP has budgeted money to fund inspectors at the public boat ramp off Rt. 11 in Limerick. They will help teach the public about invasive plants and at the least inspect boats leaving that site so they won't carry hydrilla elsewhere.
Mary Jane Dillingham of the Lake Auburn Watershed Protection Commission stressed the importance of prevention. "We certainly hope that hydrilla doesn't invade any other lakes in Maine…it truly would be devastating," They are currently awaiting a grant to fund inspectors to monitor boats using Lake Auburn, the water supply for Lewiston-Auburn, and must be protected at all costs.
Ms. Hill further says, "to date, there has been no report of invasive milfoil in Tripp. This does not mean that the lake is free of invasive aquatic plants; it only means that, to date, none have been found. To rule out the presence of invasive plants,
1) be on the lookout for any "suspicious" plants along your shore, near boat launches and in areas around the lake that you can visit. If you find a suspicious plant, place it in a large double heavy-duty ziplock bag ˝ full of water, pack carefully with packing material in a cardboard box and sent to the VLMP's new Center at the following address:
2) Maine Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants
Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program,
PO Box 445,
Turner, ME 04282
We will get back to you promptly with our findings. Remember…there are several harmless milfoil species native to Maine that look very much like the invasive species, as well as some "look-alike" natives that are not milfoils at all. Thankfully, most plants sent as suspicious are "friendly native" ones.
2) Attend one of the Invasive Plant Patrol Workshops to learn more about these plants, how to ID them, how to distinguish them from the look-alikes and how to conduct an invasive plant screening survey on your lake. Contact her for the schedule. (Tripp is tentatively planning another Purple Loosestrife Survey this summer and will need boats and surveyors. You'll be taught what to do!)
Maine law prohibits the introduction, transportation and cultivation of all invasive aquatic plants, including hydrilla and milfoil. |
| (From the Sun Journal article by John
Plestina, April, 2003.) Note: Roberta Hill is our advisor for the Long-range Lake/Watershed Management Plan and is currently working on the preparatory document. |
Hydrilla |
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