Help Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers
Friday, July 9, 2021
Look out for this aquatic hitchhiker: Starry stonewort
Boaters, kayakers, and other water-loving recreationists beware: Starry Stonewort is on the move. This invasive macro algae was first discovered in Indiana in Lake Wawasee in 2008, and has spread to more than 40 lakes across northern Indiana.
Starry Stonewort has invaded these Kosciusko County lakes: Wawasee, Syracuse, Tippecanoe, Oswego, Dewart, Sechrist (Barbee Chain), Center, Chapman, and Winona.
Named after its star-shaped reproductive structure, or bulbil, starry stonewort can create dense mats along the bottom and all the way to the top of the water column in lakes and rivers. It chokes out native plant species and reduces spawning areas for fish. The algae spread by fragmentation (when it is cut into pieces), making it easy to accidentally transport when it catches onto boats and other watercraft. Learn more about Indiana’s aquatic invasive species online.
We need everyone’s help to stop the spread of aquatic hitchhikers by following these simple steps. Clean. Drain. Dry.
Learn more at https://stopaquatichitchhikers.org/
