Warmer weather and water temperatures are spurring the growth of aquatic plants across Wisconsin and increasing calls from waterfront property owners for help in controlling the plants.
State aquatic plant specialists encourage property owners to contact the Department of Natural Resources before taking steps to reduce or control the plants. The plants provide important fish and wildlife habitat, anchor sediments and provide other benefits.
“Native aquatic plants are an important and crucial component of healthy lakes, bogs, streams and rivers and it’s important to handle them with care,” said Scott Provost, aquatic plant management coordinator for the DNR. “The fond memories that many of us have of growing up on lakes swimming, boating and discovering frogs, fish, and dragonflies depend on the clean water and habitat aquatic plants provide.”
All methods of controlling aquatic plants are regulated by the state to help protect the plants and the benefits they bring people and wildlife.
Many aquatic plants are so valuable that their presence or absence can alter the entire community of life within an area, Provost said.