What are Water Chestnuts? Water chestnuts, first documented in Lake Champlain in the 1940s, displace other aquatic plant species, are of little food value to wildlife, and form dense mats which change habitat and interfere with recreational activities. Populations are established between Whitehall, New York and Charlotte, Vermont, and in a few other waterbodies in the Basin. The most extensive infestations are in southern Lake Champlain; several hundred acres are estimated to be infested. How Did They Get Here? Water chestnuts native range is Europe, Asia and Africa. It was first introduced into the northeastern United States in 1884, when they were intentionally brought to Collins Lake in New York for their ornamental appearance. From there, they migrated to the Mohowk River, and Hudson River, eventually making their way up the Champlain Canal. What is Being Done to Stop Them? Since the early 1980s, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, with support from the US Army Corps of Engineers, has implemented mechanical harvesting and educational efforts to control water chestnut on Lake Champlain. A total of $317,640 was spent on control efforts in 1998. The Nature Conservancy of Vermont and New York organized volunteers to hand-pull 16,000 pounds of the plant in 1998. In 1999, The LCBP provided $178,500 toward mechanical harvesting and volunteer hand pulling efforts. How Can I Help Pull Chestnuts? You can get involved by volunteering to hand pull! The next hand-pulling dates on Lake Champlain are: August 17th and 19th on Woods Creek in Whitehall, NY. Call the Nature Conservancy at (802) 265-8645 for more information. Can They Be Eaten? Although the water chestnuts found here are different than those used in Chinese food, they can be eaten by humans. They can be eaten fresh, boiled or roasted.

Stop The Spread! Learn to identify the water chestnut and how to distinguish it from other types of plants. Know where water chestnuts can be found on Lake Champlain and elsewhere in the Basin. Always remove any plant material from your boat propeller, trailer or other equipment before moving between waterbodies. Dipose removed plants in the trash. Contact the LCBP at (800) 468-5227 or the Vermont DEC at (802) 241-3777 if you have found a new occurence of water chestnut. Get Involved! Help hand-pull chestnuts. Call the Nature Conservancy at (802) 265-8645. Share your knowledge with other boaters.

PLEASE NOTE: The views expressed on WPTZ NEWS CHANNEL 5's series "Champlain 2000" do not necessarily reflect the position of the Lake Champlain Basin Program or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Send questions or comments on this web site to Nicole L. Ballinger at the LCBP.
Last Updated: August 13, 1999