Aquatic Conservation Taskforce - ACT!
Milfoil spreads when pieces of the plant break off, and float to a different part of the lake. It is very prolific. The
spread is exacerbated when parts of the plant are inadvertently caught on boats, boat motors or boat trailers.
These parts become
accidental transplants when a boat is removed from one waterway, and launched in another.
Any lake with a public launch ramp
is especially at risk.
Milfoil forms dense beds in which boating is virtually impossible and swimming can actually be dangerous. Wherever these dense beds occur they severely restrict use of the waterway for recreation. This is a nationwide problem, not
just in the Northeast, and is getting increasing attention from scientists and universities across the country.
This is an image of Milfoil as it might appear were you paddling over it. It grows in water from 3 to 15
feet deep, preferring the 3 to 10 foot range.
Milfoil has whorls of four feather-like leaves around a central
stalk. The number of stalks increases as the plant ages during the year, and each stalk branches several times as it nears
the surface. The result is a dense floating mat on the water surface.
Milfoil came from Europe in the
1800's as an aquarium plant. It got into to the water system when aquaria were emptied, and began its deadly trip to lakes,
ponds, rivers and streams. There is no natural enemy! That's why it is classified as an Invasive Species!
Lake Luzerne has been invaded - This is the Beast - Milfoil!
How often have you seen pieces of stuff like this floating around the lake? Broken off from their main stems, these fragments
are ready to sink to the bottom, and start another generation!
