Hello again LSC, we have another aquatic invasive species (AIS) related story to tell you about this afternoon, and this one is VERY concerning.

Yesterday, Arrowwood Environmental began the yearly plant survey of Lake St. Catherine. This is a multi-day cataloguing and observation of aquatic plants at 199 GPS points throughout the littoral zone of the lake that results in the yearly Aquatic Plant Survey Reports which you can find on our website.

Last evening, Arrowwood reported that a 20' patch of Water Chestnut had been discovered between 2 docks in the Channel south of the bridge. This fast growing invasive floating plant spreads quickly and cause great damage to the ecosystem. This is not an invasive plant that we want to get established in LSC.

We quickly mobilized to address this, and we are happy to report that morning, Beck and his DASH team, along with volunteer Toby Crispin, removed all the plants from this location. However, they also discovered some water chestnut on the side of the dock at the boat - but these plants were also removed.

These spots will need to be monitored for a reoccurrence throughout the rest of the season and in the spring after ice out. If additional plants are discovered, they will be removed.

So, please keep an eye out for this invasive plant, and please report any sightings to immediately at info@lakestcatherine.org.

Please join us in thanking everyone involved in the discovery and QUICK removal of this invasive from the lake! Great work all!