The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and the N.H. Department of Environmental Services (DES), urge us to check our equipment for milfoil and other nuisance aquatic species before launching our boats, kayaks and/or canoes. Aquatic nuisance species can easily be transported on boats, motors, trailers, fishing tackle, bait buckets and other recreational equipment. According to Amy Smagula, of the DES, ‘aquatic hitchhikers’ can quickly take over lakes and ponds, choking waterways with explosive growth. By doing so, it eventually fouls intake and discharge structures, harming native plants and animals and possibly lowering lakefront property values. Once established in a waterbody, aquatic nuisance species are nearly impossible to eradicate.

Milfoil contamination can easily and innocently be spread from one body of water to another by boat motors and trailers.

New Hampshire already has nine different species of exotic aquatic plants in its waterways, and others like hydrilla, lurk near our borders. Smagula, the DES’s Exotic Species Program Coordinator, says that in all, 68 New Hampshire lakes, ponds and rivers are infested to date. She spends her time tracking the spread of exotic plants around New Hampshire.

"Variable milfoil continues to be the number one problem in New Hampshire’s water bodies," Smagula said. She also warns that other species, like fanwort and water chestnut, are also on the rise. Lakes, ponds and the flowing waters of rivers and streams are also subject to colonization by these species. "Even just a small piece of the plant, nothing more than two or three inches in length, is enough to cause a new infestation." Amy asserted that good old fashioned inspection and hand-removal of the plants is enough to prevent a problem. 

There are some 500 "Lake Host" volunteers who are stationed at 82 boat launch sites at more than 60 New Hampshire lakes who provide courtesy inspections and educate boaters on how to prevent the spread of exotic species. Working through the New Hampshire Lakes Association, under a grant from the DES, last year these volunteers inspected more than 34,500 boats being launched into state waters. The Lake Host Program was credited with 54 "saves" in 2006, and already with 6 saves this year.

Boaters and anglers can help protect New Hampshire’s waters by stopping aquatic hitchhikers by following these guidelines for preventing the spread of exotic weeds and other aquatic nuisance species near boat launch sites:

1. Look for warning signs for aquatic nuisance species near boat launch sites.
2. Hand-remove all materials (plant or animal) from equipment. Don’t throw the material removed back into the water. Dispose of it far away from the water. Pay special attention to the bunks or rollers where the boat is seated on the trailer.
3. Wash and dry all equipment before reuse.  Hose off the boat, driving gear and trailer.
4. Drain and flush the engine cooling system and live wells of your boat, your bait buckets and the buoyancy control device from diving equipment that has been in contact with an infested water body (to protect against the spread of zebra mussels).

For a list of exotic aquatic plants that are prohibited in New Hampshire, readers can go to the N.H. Department of Environmental Services Exotic Species website at: www.des.state.nh.us/wmb/exoticspecies. For more information on what you can do to help prevent the spread of invasive aquatic plants and animals, visit the website www.protectyourwaters.net/nh. All too many of our waters are in a state of near ruination now. So, let us all be helpful in preserving what we have for ourselves and future generations.

Bob Harris can be reached via e-mail at: outwriter2@aol.com