06-03-2014, 11:10 AM
Elodea. Believed to be Alaska's first fully submerged aquatic invasive plant, you may have seen Elodea choking out areas of Sand Lake, Little Campbell Lake, or Delong Lake in Anchorage and Chena Slough in Fairbanks. It's also being found in a growing number of lakes and slow moving rivers/sloughs in Cordova and on the Kenai Peninsula.
Should we be concerned?Yes! Elodea survives under ice. When introduced to a new waterway, Elodea grows rapidly, overtaking native plants, filling the water column, and changing the habitat conditions to which native fish are adapted. Thick mats form at or just below the water surface and can foul boat propellers and floatplane rudders, causing a hazard. In addition to impeding fishing, navigation, boat launching, and paddling, it can also reduce waterfront property values.
Recent sunny weather may mean a bumper crop for Alaska's Elodea infestations!
YOU CAN HELP!
"¢ Support eradication efforts.
Elodea is expensive and difficult to control
"¢ Teachers, students & aquarium hobbyists:
don't let it loose!
"¢ Boaters:
avoid disturbing heavily vegetated areas by not motoring through them. CLEAN: Carefully inspect and remove any visible aquatic plants/fragments from your boat and trailer before leaving the waterbody. DRAIN: Allow water to drain from livewells, bilge tanks, and dispose of water from all tanks that hold lake/stream water, including coolers, before launching at your next site. DRY: Allow the craft and equipment to dry completely before the next use.
"¢ Float planes:
Before entering the aircraft remove visible plants and pump water from floats. Before takeoff don't taxi through heavy plant growth; raise and lower rudders. After takeoff raise and lower rudders to free plant fragments while over the waters you are leaving or over land.
"¢ We need you on the lookout this summer! Report sightings:
Note location (GPS or mark on map) and water depth/clarity. Take a specimen (photo at a minimum). Take as much of the entire plant as you can, including the tiny flower on a long thin stalk if present. Put the sample in a zip lock bag, book, or wax paper and store in a cool place. Call the Alaska Department of Fish and Game invasive species hotline: 1-877-INVASIV. It's critically important to figure out where Elodea is-and where it isn't-so we can help prevent it from spreading further.
"¢ Educate yourself and others about invasive species:
Learn about your local aquatic habitats and the organisms they support. Learn about invasive species that threaten your local areas and share information with others.
Should we be concerned?Yes! Elodea survives under ice. When introduced to a new waterway, Elodea grows rapidly, overtaking native plants, filling the water column, and changing the habitat conditions to which native fish are adapted. Thick mats form at or just below the water surface and can foul boat propellers and floatplane rudders, causing a hazard. In addition to impeding fishing, navigation, boat launching, and paddling, it can also reduce waterfront property values.
Recent sunny weather may mean a bumper crop for Alaska's Elodea infestations!
YOU CAN HELP!
"¢ Support eradication efforts.
Elodea is expensive and difficult to control
"¢ Teachers, students & aquarium hobbyists:
don't let it loose!
"¢ Boaters:
avoid disturbing heavily vegetated areas by not motoring through them. CLEAN: Carefully inspect and remove any visible aquatic plants/fragments from your boat and trailer before leaving the waterbody. DRAIN: Allow water to drain from livewells, bilge tanks, and dispose of water from all tanks that hold lake/stream water, including coolers, before launching at your next site. DRY: Allow the craft and equipment to dry completely before the next use.
"¢ Float planes:
Before entering the aircraft remove visible plants and pump water from floats. Before takeoff don't taxi through heavy plant growth; raise and lower rudders. After takeoff raise and lower rudders to free plant fragments while over the waters you are leaving or over land.
"¢ We need you on the lookout this summer! Report sightings:
Note location (GPS or mark on map) and water depth/clarity. Take a specimen (photo at a minimum). Take as much of the entire plant as you can, including the tiny flower on a long thin stalk if present. Put the sample in a zip lock bag, book, or wax paper and store in a cool place. Call the Alaska Department of Fish and Game invasive species hotline: 1-877-INVASIV. It's critically important to figure out where Elodea is-and where it isn't-so we can help prevent it from spreading further.
"¢ Educate yourself and others about invasive species:
Learn about your local aquatic habitats and the organisms they support. Learn about invasive species that threaten your local areas and share information with others.