St. Lawrence County– Volunteers are needed to assist a removal effort of water chestnut on the Oswegatchie River near the dam, in the Village of Heuvelton.

The removal effort is scheduled for Saturday, June 25th, 2022. Food will be provided by the Village of Heuvelton Fire Department to those who assist the effort. This is a great opportunity for community members to spend some time on the water, and help protect the Oswegatchie River.

Water chestnut is an invasive aquatic species that have environmental and economic impacts.  Water chestnuts grow thick dense floating mats that shade out native aquatic vegetation, impede outdoor recreation, and reduce shoreline property values; the hard, pointy seeds of water chestnuts can puncture vehicle tires or injure feet if stepped on. If not managed, the infestation of water chestnuts on the Oswegatchie River can grow and easily spread to connecting waterbodies, like Black Lake.

Learn of logistics and register to assist this effort by vising the SLELO PRISM events page at: sleloinvasives.org/event/oswegatchie-chestnuts/.

This effort is being supported by SLELO PRISM, The Black Lake Association, NYS Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation, NYS DEC, Indian River Lakes Conservancy, Save The River, Thousand Island Land Trust, the Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County, the Village of Heuvelton Fire Department, the City of Ogdensburg Fire & Rescue, the town of Morristown, the Chippewa Bay Fish and Game Club, St. Lawrence Waterfowlers, St. Lawrence Valley Sportsman Club, St. Lawrence Federal Credit Union, Comprehensive Weed Control of Northern New York, and many volunteers.

Photo courtesy of NY Invasive Species: https://nyis.info/invasive_species/water-chestnut/