Growing Threat of Invasive Species

Last month, European frog-bit (EFB) was found in Great Meadow Stream, nearby in the Belgrade Lakes watershed. This marks the first time EFB has been found in Maine outside the Cobbossee Watershed, another neighboring watershed, where EFB is found in multiple waterbodies. EFB is a free-floating aquatic invasive plant that grows in dense colonies.

In July, a 7 Lakes Alliance courtesy boat inspector found two aquatic invasive species – Eurasian water-milfoil and curly-leaf pondweed – on a boat. The boat had already been launched in two waterbodies before the find; the owner had been unaware that they were transporting these plants 

These are just a few of the recent aquatic invasive plant incidents in the state, and both are in the neighboring Belgrade Lakes watershed.   

These discoveries and “saves” are stark reminders of how important it is for boaters and lake users to always practice Clean, Drain, Dry, as these plants are knocking on our watershed’s door.