News From the Field: Invasive aquatic in North Connecticut River

News From the Field: Invasive aquatic in North Connecticut River

July 23rd, 2007

(This article was recently sent to VNRC through our "send us your story" form on our website. VNRC works hard to preserve and enhance our water resources that can be severely compromised by invasive species. If you have a news item or personal story you think should be heard by the VNRC community, use the link on the right-hand column and send it along.)

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources has confirmed that an exotic invasive algae is invading reaches of the Northern sections of the Conneticut River. This algae is known as "rock snot" or "didymo" (Didymosphenia geminata) and can grow in dense cottony mats that can destroy fish habitat and smother other native aquatic plants.

Didymo has potential to invade many of our streams and rivers of Vermont because only a microscopic amount is needed to start a population in a body of water. The following prevention recommendations are from the Vermont ANR:

Check, Clean and Dry.

 Check: Before leaving a river or stream, remove all obvious clumps of algae and
look for hidden clumps. Leave them at the affected site. If you find any later, do
not wash them down drains; dispose all material in the trash.

 Clean: Soak and scrub all items for at least one minute in either hot (140 degrees
F) water, a two percent solution of household bleach or a five percent solution of
salt, antiseptic hand cleaner or dishwashing detergent.

 Dry: If cleaning is not practical, after the item is completely dry to touch, wait an
additional 48 hours before contact or use in any other waterway.

[Submitted by Laura Plourde. Laura is a Masters student at McGill University studying plant biodiversity. She is a resident of Maidstone, VT]

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		VNRC • 9 Bailey Avenue • Montpelier, Vermont 05602 • 802/223 2328 • Contact VT Nonprofit Web Design