Possible spread of invasive plant in Cayuga Inlet to lake and beyond increased during Labor Day Weekend

[HuntingNY-News]

The alert concerns the hydrilla plant, an invasive plant species. "It's important on this very busy boating weekend for people to take responsibility and care when boating through infested waters,"urged City of Ithaca Mayor Carolyn Peterson.

The following is a press release from Cornell Cooperative Extension:

Cornell Cooperative Extension’s New York Invasive Species Program, working in concert with state and local officials, is enlisting the help of boaters over the Labor Day Weekend to prevent the spread of hydrilla to Cayuga Lake and beyond.

“It's important on this very busy boating weekend for people to take responsibility and care when boating through infested waters,” urged City of Ithaca Mayor Carolyn Peterson. “Please make every effort to educate yourself through available brochures and flyers or by talking to informed volunteers in order to protect our beautiful waterways.”

Scientists and resource managers are working to develop an aggressive campaign to eradicate the plant in hopes that a quick response will prevent catastrophic spread —but they need the public to also do its part.

Awareness and clean boating practices are essential. Avoid running watercraft through areas of densest infestation: near the Farmer’s Market docks and into Cascadilla Creek, adjacent to the Inlet shore near the Dragon Boat launch at Cass Park, and near the Cornell University Rowing Team boathouse. Remove any plants, mud or debris from boats or equipment that come in contact with water. This material should be disposed of in trash cans or on land where it cannot be washed into any pond, lake or stream.

Drain any water from boats before leaving a launch area. Clean and dry anything that comes in contact with water including boats, trailers, gear, clothing and dogs.

Hydrilla poses a serious threat to the lake ecosystem because it grows aggressively, up to an inch per day, and creates thick mats of vegetation that choke waterways. It quickly shades out other aquatic plants, displacing native species and reducing the quality of habitat for fish, insects and other organisms. If left unchecked, hydrilla will interfere with boating, fishing, and swimming and ultimately cost millions of dollars to control.

“Hydrilla is one of the world's worst aquatic invasive plants,” said Dr. Holly Menninger, Coordinator of the NY Invasive Species Research Institute at Cornell University. “But unlike so many of the other places where hydrilla has invaded, we may have a chance here in the Cayuga Inlet to stop this species before it spreads much further, into the Finger Lakes and beyond.”

Fragments of the plant, which are easily caught and transported by boats, boat trailers, and equipment can sprout roots and establish new populations. Fragments also float and are capable of dispersing via wind and water currents.

“What we really need now is for boaters, swimmers, anyone who is on or along the water, to keep an eye out for new locations where hydrilla is growing and let us know before it gets widespread,” said Chuck O’Neill, Coordinator of the Cornell University Cooperative Extension Invasive Species Program.

For more information about hydrilla and other invasive species, visit the New York Invasive Species Clearinghouse .

View the full article