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

It was later on that Guy discovered more milfoil weeds in the lake. He indicated that he would contact the N.H. Department of Environmental Services and have someone come over to identify what was on the stone I found as well as to show them the milfoil weeds. Guy and I agreed that we need to see how much milfoil is in the lake and what can be done about it before it really gets out of hand, if it isn’t already. And, if what is on the stone I found should be identified by DES as Didymo, that’s another issue. I also suggested to Guy that it would help keep invasive weeds out of the lake if we had trained volunteers at the lake’s launch site to check boats for weeds before they can launch and when they come out of the water.

According to the DES, over 40 New Hampshire water bodies are impacted by various species of exotic aquatic plants, such as milfoil. The dispersal of plant fragments poses the greatest threat to our water bodies as each fragment is capable of producing another plant. Exotic aquatic plants can reduce the diversity of native plant, animal and insect species. Although most native plant species are beneficial to our water bodies, providing food, shelter and oxygen for organisms in and around the water, exotic aquatic plants can reduce the value of waterfront properties and can make boating and swimming difficult and dangerous.

Dense growth of exotic aquatic plants can stunt fish growth, impacting the fisheries in our water bodies. Milfoil and fanwort weeds can grow as tall as 20 feet in water bodies they infest. Of the fourteen species of prohibited exotic plants, eight are currently found in New Hampshire waters. Others are present in neighboring states’ waters. This is why it is extremely important that anglers and boaters, of all types, carefully check their crafts, before launching and when exiting the water, for any weeds. Don’t dispose of the weeds back into the water, Either put them way up onto dry land or, even better, place them in a plastic bag and take them to the dump. It is truly saddening to see how many waters today have been destroyed by exotic weeds like milfoil and didymo. And, it is all caused by people being unknowledgeable or not caring enough about the waters they use. 

It would be a shame to see our Glen Lake become prey to exotic weed invasion. Hopefully the DES folks will check our lake out to see how bad the situation may be. To help, do your part and check your boat, canoe or kayak for weeds before you launch and when you take out.