LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Warren County) — Volunteers gathered at Mountain Lake on Saturday morning to help combat the spread of invasive water chestnut plants, removing 123 pounds of vegetation from the lake during a community stewardship effort.
According to the Mountain Lake Community Association, a team of 20 volunteers spent approximately two hours hand-pulling water chestnut plants from the lake’s southwest cove.
The effort targeted water chestnut, an invasive aquatic species that can rapidly spread across waterways, crowding out native vegetation and impacting recreational use and aquatic habitats.
Association officials said volunteers worked under ideal conditions, with calm waters, sunshine and favorable weather contributing to a productive morning on the lake.
The group collected a total of 123 pounds of water chestnut plants during the event.
Mountain Lake Community Association officials noted that every pound of invasive vegetation removed helps slow the spread of the species and supports the long-term health of the lake ecosystem.
