Eurasian watermilfoil is a feathery submerged aquatic plant with long branching stems that can quickly form thick mats in shallow areas of lakes and rivers in North America. These mats can interfere with swimming and entangle propellers, hindering boating, fishing and waterfowl hunting. Heavy infestations may reduce property values. Matted milfoil can displace native plants, impacting fish and wildlife.

Since it was discovered in North America in the 1940s, Eurasian watermilfoil has invaded nearly every US state and at least three Canadian provinces. Milfoil spreads when plant pieces break off and float on water currents. It can cross land to new waters by clinging to sailboats, personal watercraft, powerboats, motors, trailers, and fishing gear. Your help detecting and reporting new infestations is vital for preventing their spread.

Leaves are usually attached in whorls of four, but sometimes 3-5. Each leaf has 10-21 pairs of leaflets, with leaflets usually close-spaced. Leaves are limp when out of water. The top of the plants often turn red, and has small reddish flowers in mid-summer. Plants can grow up to 15 feet long.

What you can do

• Learn to identify Eurasian watermilfoil
• Inspect and remove aquatic plants and animals from boat, propeller, anchor, motor and trailer
• Drain lake or river water from live wells, bilge, hull, buckets and gear
• Dispose of unwanted live bait in the trash
• Rinse boat and equipment with high-pressure hot water (104^o F) especially if moored for more than a day, OR
• Dry everything for at least 5 days
• Report new sightings – note exact location, wrap a plant fragment in a wet paper towel, place in a sealed plastic bag; call the Lamoka-Waneta Lakes Association at 1-800-xxx-xxxx.