Early this summer, an unusual floating plant was spotted in Lake Simcoe.
With long, spiky leaves reminiscent of the top of a pineapple, the sighting was reported to Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) by a member of the public on July 1.
Soon after, Parks Canada officials scouted the area and confirmed the person’s suspicions: the strange plant is water soldier, an invasive aquatic species.
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For over 15 years, water soldier has been largely contained to the Trent-Severn Waterway, with other occasional appearances across Ontario. This is the first time the invasive aquatic plant has been spotted in Lake Simcoe.
Officials identified an infestation of multiple patches of water soldier just outside of Young’s Harbour at the southern end of Cook’s Bay, near Keswick, Ont., according to a spokesperson from the MNRF.
The sudden appearance of water soldier in the lake is concerning, says Colin Cassin, a policy manager at the Invasive Species Centre. “Ecologically, water soldier is very bad news,” says Cassin.
What is water soldier?
Though the aquatic plant has been listed as an invasive species in Ontario since 2016, Cassin says it’s been in the province since at least 2008. Native to Europe and Northwest Asia, water soldier was originally introduced to water gardens as an ornamental plant.
But the aloe vera-esque plants can have some not-so-pretty consequences on lake health.
“Water soldier outcompetes other native species and replaces them with nothing but itself,” says Cassin. This changes and degrades habitat for native species, including fish, and can alter surrounding water chemistry.
A water soldier infestation can also have frustrating impacts on water activities.
Water soldier can form dense mats of floating vegetation that have been known to block access for boats, swimmers, and even those installing or removing docks. Waterfront property owners and boaters around the Trent-Severn Waterway have been especially prone to experiencing this for over a decade, says Cassin.
“It’s gotten to the point where they can’t even get a canoe out,” says Cassin. “Anecdotally, we’ve also heard about people having difficulty selling properties.”
Can I remove water soldier from my waterfront property?
You sure can—plus, it’s pretty easy to get rid of.
The first thing to do if you spot the invasive species is to report it, says Cassin. Members of the public and citizen scientists can use websites such as iNaturalist or EDDmaps—where you can also view other reported sightings of the species—to upload photos and information about the sighting.
“After it’s been reported, the best thing you can do is remove the plant,” says Cassin.
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Simply pull it out with your hand, then make sure you dispose of it at least 30 metres away from the water’s edge to prevent it from reintroducing itself.
For Lake Simcoe cottagers, Cassin says that it’s a good thing that the plant was found early, giving officials the opportunity to contain it before it becomes widespread.
“In Lake Simcoe’s case, a member of the public reported it,” he says. “This is the best way to go about it. ”
To prevent the spread of invasive species, it’s always a good idea to clean, drain, and dry your boat and other water equipment after every use.
If you think you see water soldier, report the sighting to the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711.
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