LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Warren County) — Volunteers with kayaks or canoes are being asked to help remove invasive water chestnut plants from Mountain Lake during a cleanup effort Thursday, July 30, according to the Mountain Lake Community Association.
The volunteer event will begin at 4:30 p.m. and focus on the southwest cove of the lake, where organizers say recent rainfall has raised the water level enough to access plants that could not be reached during a previous cleanup on June 13.
Organizers said volunteers successfully removed a large amount of water chestnut during last month’s effort but were unable to reach plants growing in shallow water near the shoreline.
Participants will receive instructions on how to properly remove the invasive aquatic plants. Organizers recommend that canoe users paddle solo because of the shallow conditions, while kayakers are encouraged to attach a small laundry basket, milk crate or similar container to the bow of their kayak to collect the plants.
The plants should be removed with their roots attached and may be muddy, so volunteers are encouraged to dress accordingly.
The pontoon boat Sanhica will serve as the collection boat and base of operations. It will be stationed just outside the weed beds in the southwest corner of Mountain Lake beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Organizers thanked volunteers in advance for helping protect Mountain Lake from the spread of the invasive plant, which can form dense mats that interfere with recreation and harm aquatic ecosystems.
