Beware Invasive Hitchhikers

Invasive organisms like these Daphnia (water fleas) can hitch a ride into Lake Kitchawan on equipment that was used in a water body that is infested with them. Keep them out by cleaning your equipment! 

Protect our Lake and Lagoons:  Check, Clean, Dry

Summer is a great time for swimming, fishing, boating, and water sports of all kinds.  But if you do these activities in another lake, beware that invasive plants can hitchhike back to our lake on your boat, kayak, or inflatable.  They also hitch rides on fishing equipment, beach and pet toys, and even bathing suits!

It takes only a tiny amount of an invasive weed to be introduced in a lake for it to begin to set up shop.   Eurasian Milfoil, which we have been fighting to eradicate, is foreign to our area and was introduced into our lake.

To avoid bringing these weeds back home, DEC recommends you...check, clean, dry:

• Clean items with hot water and allow to completely dry in the sun before putting in our lake.  (Hot water is an effective disinfection agent for all aquatic invasive species and fish diseases.)
• If there’s no time for complete sun drying, use steam or disinfectants listed on the DEC website (click here) and follow guidelines about diluting these to avoid damaging boat hulls and equipment.