Paddle With A Purpose: Help Needed To Remove Invasive Water Chestnut Plants

The aquatic plant known as water chestnut (trapa natans) has shown its invasive potential in recent years at many points along the Connecticut River and its tributaries. In the Floating Meadows—the freshwater, tidal marshland formed where the lower Coginchaug and Mattabesset Rivers converge between Middletown and Cromwell— the presence of these plants was first recorded in 2009. The Jonah Center and the Connecticut River Conservancy have been monitoring the area closely since 2013, removing vast quantities of plants each year since 2016.

Water chestnut form expansive, dense patches on the water surface. Left unchecked, these plants can choke off sunlight and oxygen, threatening native plants, fish, fish-eating birds and other aquatic species. Some waterways have become impassible by boat due to water chestnut infestation.

Work parties to remove plants (while they are still small) are planned for Saturday, June 15 at 10 a.m (rain date June 16), and Saturday, July 13, at 9 a.m. (rain date July 14). Canoes and kayaks will start and finish at the launch site at 181 Johnson Street in Middletown.

Water chestnut work parties are a fun and gratifying. How often can you do something so specific and visible to help the environment while enjoying such scenery from the water? Many new friendships are made while the work is underway. 

To receive updates on these and future work parties, subscribe to the Jonah Center Email Newsletter at www.thejonahcenter.org. Your efforts will help save our Floating Meadows and be much appreciated by everyone who takes part in this effort.