Above Left: Zach
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Above Right: Julia, Jack, and Jenna
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MEET OUR 2023 WATER CHESTNUT CREW
Water Chestnut Hand Harvesting Project
Jenna Canipe, Co-Crew Leader
July 14, 2023
The water chestnut hand harvesting project at OCSWCD is vital and important to maintaining and preserving the livelihood of the not only the residents of Cross Lake and Seneca River, but also the wildlife. Water chestnuts are a fast-spreading invasive species that originated from Europe, Asia, and Africa, they first made their appearance in the United States in the 1870s. Water chestnuts thrive in slow moving freshwater at depths up to 16 feet. One single plant can produce 15-20 seeds and each seed can produce up to 15 steams. This means one plant has the potential to produce up to 300 plants in the following year. The seeds of these plants make them even more of a nuisance. They are extremely sharp and can stay viable in the mucky substrate for up to 12 years. This requires a site with water chestnuts to be monitored for at least 12 years to be sure the plant is eradicated from the area.
In the U.S. water chestnuts do not have any natural predators to control the spread. This allows them to form dense mats that are hazardous to boaters, kayakers, swimmers, and other water related activities. These mats also have major impacts on wildlife. Native aquatic plants that create habitats for fish, waterfowl, insects, and others are outcompeted by this invasive and are often unable to grow. The water chestnuts shade out and do not allow sunlight to penetrate the water to reach native plants. The air-water interface of oxygen exchange into the water is also greatly reduced. In the fall these massive mats begin to die off. This causes an increase in the depth of organic material at the bottom of the water body. It also creates a reduction in dissolved oxygen levels in the water which can cause a fish to die off.
Our job this summer is to hand-pull as many water chestnuts out of Cross Lake and the Seneca River system as possible. We use a 14-foot john boat and a kayak to pick the water chestnuts out of the water and place them in bins that weigh 35lbs each when full. As of July 14th of this year, we have harvested 20,220 wet pounds of water chestnuts. These pulled plants are then dumped at local participating farm fields to provide nutrients and organic matter to the soil. It is very important the community also does their part to help reduce the spread. This can be done by hand pulling water chestnuts in the area, cleaning watercraft, including tailer, and detecting new infestations early.
Jenna Canipe, Co-Crew Leader
July 14, 2023
The water chestnut hand harvesting project at OCSWCD is vital and important to maintaining and preserving the livelihood of the not only the residents of Cross Lake and Seneca River, but also the wildlife. Water chestnuts are a fast-spreading invasive species that originated from Europe, Asia, and Africa, they first made their appearance in the United States in the 1870s. Water chestnuts thrive in slow moving freshwater at depths up to 16 feet. One single plant can produce 15-20 seeds and each seed can produce up to 15 steams. This means one plant has the potential to produce up to 300 plants in the following year. The seeds of these plants make them even more of a nuisance. They are extremely sharp and can stay viable in the mucky substrate for up to 12 years. This requires a site with water chestnuts to be monitored for at least 12 years to be sure the plant is eradicated from the area.
In the U.S. water chestnuts do not have any natural predators to control the spread. This allows them to form dense mats that are hazardous to boaters, kayakers, swimmers, and other water related activities. These mats also have major impacts on wildlife. Native aquatic plants that create habitats for fish, waterfowl, insects, and others are outcompeted by this invasive and are often unable to grow. The water chestnuts shade out and do not allow sunlight to penetrate the water to reach native plants. The air-water interface of oxygen exchange into the water is also greatly reduced. In the fall these massive mats begin to die off. This causes an increase in the depth of organic material at the bottom of the water body. It also creates a reduction in dissolved oxygen levels in the water which can cause a fish to die off.
Our job this summer is to hand-pull as many water chestnuts out of Cross Lake and the Seneca River system as possible. We use a 14-foot john boat and a kayak to pick the water chestnuts out of the water and place them in bins that weigh 35lbs each when full. As of July 14th of this year, we have harvested 20,220 wet pounds of water chestnuts. These pulled plants are then dumped at local participating farm fields to provide nutrients and organic matter to the soil. It is very important the community also does their part to help reduce the spread. This can be done by hand pulling water chestnuts in the area, cleaning watercraft, including tailer, and detecting new infestations early.
SEE BELOW LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS PROVIDING HAND PULLING WATER CHESTNUT CULLING SERVICES.
Curb Appeal of CNY, LLC
Joe Marotti-Owner
4734 Lythim Circle
Manlius, NY 13104
Tel. 315-692-2464
joemarotti@yahoo.com
Feliciano Landscape, LLC
36 Nelson Street
Auburn, NY 13021
Tel. 315-263-9598
Arfelici9@yahoo.com
Madcal Enterprises
315-317 Burnet Ave.
Syracuse, NY 13203
Tel. 315-751-3953
MadcalEnterprises@gmail.com
Gasparini Landscaping Co., Inc.
Gary Gasparini
5072 Smoral Road
Camillus, NY 13031
Tel. 315-488-4261 x9
Info@GaspariniLandScaping.com
Dr. Janitor Cleaning ‘n Landscapes
Leannue McMullen
319 Allen Street
Syracuse, NY 13210
Tel. 315-450-8514
Curb Appeal of CNY, LLC
Joe Marotti-Owner
4734 Lythim Circle
Manlius, NY 13104
Tel. 315-692-2464
joemarotti@yahoo.com
Feliciano Landscape, LLC
36 Nelson Street
Auburn, NY 13021
Tel. 315-263-9598
Arfelici9@yahoo.com
Madcal Enterprises
315-317 Burnet Ave.
Syracuse, NY 13203
Tel. 315-751-3953
MadcalEnterprises@gmail.com
Gasparini Landscaping Co., Inc.
Gary Gasparini
5072 Smoral Road
Camillus, NY 13031
Tel. 315-488-4261 x9
Info@GaspariniLandScaping.com
Dr. Janitor Cleaning ‘n Landscapes
Leannue McMullen
319 Allen Street
Syracuse, NY 13210
Tel. 315-450-8514