Invasive species have proved to be particularly difficult to manage this year, and in areas such as Cayuga Lake and Skaneateles Lake, agencies have found property owners with good intentions trying to help, but potentially making things worse.

A resident on Skaneateles Lake attached old bed springs to the bottom of his boat in an effort to weed whack the invasive watermilfoil cropping up on the lake, said Kathleen Gorr of the Skaneateles Lake Association. Cutting does not kill watermilfoil, however, but rather creates multiple new plants that continue to grow. Since weeds were left in the water, the milfoil spread, she said.

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