Boating across a lake is extremely fun and probably one of the best ways to spend Memorial Day weekend, but at times, it can be frustrating.

Aquatic plants can put a damper on a boating adventure especially if a lake has an overabundance of plants. Other recreational activities like swimming and fishing can also be difficult when there are too many plants in the lake.

Aquatic plants are found in and around lakes and rivers for many reasons. They are havens for wildlife including birds. Fish also rely heavily upon aquatic plants for food and habitat. Plants improve water quality by absorbing nutrients and filtering pollutants and they protect the lake shoreline by holding the soil in place (reducing erosion).

Aquatic plants are beneficial to the lakeshore environment but some can create problems.

Aquatic plants that are not native to our lakes are called invasive or nuisance plants. These plants grow at rapid rates and adapt to aquatic environments very quickly. As mentioned before these plants can hinder boating activities, swimmers and may hurt tourism or decrease property values.

Non-native, invasive species are introduced into an area and are spread by various methods. One of the easiest and most common ways for invasive plants to be introduced is by “hitching a ride” on boats. Some species can also be introduced unintentionally when they are used in water features or gardens near waterways. Additionally, people may dispose of aquatic plants by emptying their aquariums into a nearby waterway.

Preventing the introduction and spread of invasive plants is essential to the health of our lakes. You can help stop the spread of by learning how to identify native and non-native plants. If invasive plants are spreading to a new area report the new sighting to Cornell Cooperative Extension Cayuga County.

I will hold a workshop on aquatic invasive identification at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at Sterling Nature Center. To join the workshop, which is free and open to the public, please call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County at 255-1183. Funding for this event is provided by Finger Lakes-Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance.

Renee Jensen is a community educator of environmental issues at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County