The invasive aquatic plant hydrilla was found recently in Davis Stream in Jefferson. The infestation is the second instance of the plant in the Damariscotta Lake watershed.
Officials from the Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection are pursuing a ban on surface activity in the stream. Currently, volunteers from the Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association are encouraging boaters to stay out of the stream.
“If you’re in a boat in water that contains hydrilla, you’re contributing to the problem,” said Paul Gregory of the DEP Invasive Species Program. Even if boaters remove the plant from their equipment to avoid spreading it to other lakes, boating in infested waters spreads the plant to new areas of the infested lake.
Some flexibility is available in surface use restrictions, and the terms of the ban DEP will request have not been set. Gregory said the department plans to request the ban by next week.
Ray Hayes, a resident who lives on Davis Stream and frequently kayaks in the area, first discovered the new infestation in a weedy cove about one-quarter mile upstream of the Jefferson Village Store on Sept. 6. Davis reported the infestation to the DLWA and Gregory confirmed the infestation that afternoon.
Since its discovery, officials have surveyed “99 percent of the stream” and found six pockets of hydrilla – three dense patches and three “sprigs,” Gregory said.
DEP officials will return Tues., Sept. 20, to train volunteers and begin work removing the plant.
Unfortunately, a bass fishing tournament is scheduled for this weekend in Damariscotta Lake. The DLWA contacted tournament officials to encourage all bass fishermen in the tournament to stay out of the stream. Julia McLeod, stewardship coordinator for DLWA, said the officials were “very cooperative” and fishermen agreed to stay out of the stream.
In previous interviews with members of the DEP, hydrilla has been referred to as the worst of the worst of invasive aquatic species. Although a common battle in southern states, Damariscotta Lake is only the second place in Maine in which it has been found.
The first infestation found in Damariscotta Lake is in Cranberry Cove, .3-acre lagoon near an area of the lake known as the Narrows. That location has been contained through extensive action from DEP and local volunteers.
Damariscotta Lake Watershed volunteers have been surveying Damariscotta Lake since hydrilla was discovered, and it has not been found in any other parts of the lake.
Anyone who thinks they may have seen an invasive species is encouraged to leave the plant alone and call the DEP Invasive Species Program at 287-3901.
Attempting to remove the plant may spread it. Many native plants look similar to invasive plants, but are beneficial to the local ecosystem and should not be removed.
McLeod said residents who find possible invasive species should “very carefully” collect a small sample of the plant and bring it to DLWA headquarters at 38 Lake Farm Rd. in Jefferson for testing.