Invasive Plants
WHAT: Aquatic plants form the foundation of healthy and flourishing lake ecosystems - both within lakes and rivers and on the shores around them. They not only protect water quality, but they also produce life-giving oxygen. Aquatic plants are a lake's own filtering system, helping to clarify the water by absorbing nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen that could stimulate algal blooms. Plant beds stabilize soft lake and river bottoms and reduce shoreline erosion by reducing the effect of waves and current. Healthy native aquatic plant communities help prevent the establishment of invasive non-native plants like Eurasian watermilfoil.
It makes sense that the best fishing spots are typically near aquatic plant beds. Aquatic plants provide important reproductive, food, and cover habitat for fish, invertebrates, and wildlife. It's aquatic plants that fashion a nursery for all sorts of creatures ranging from birds to beaver to bass to bugs. In order to maintain healthy lakes and rivers, we must maintain healthy native aquatic plant communities.
WHEN: In 1997 the Dept. of Ecology, under the Aquatic Plants Technical Assistance Program, concluded there were no "plants of concern" located in Lake Samish.
LSA ACTION: Articles placed in newsletters.
STATUS: Ongoing.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- Dept. of Ecology
- List of non-native, invasive fresh water plants
- Lake Whatcom Management Program
- Washington's Invasive Species Council
- Washington Noxious Weed Control Board
- Center for Invasive Plant Management
* If you are interested in becoming more involved with this issue please contact a current board member.
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