In2023, the Little Ossipee Lake Association identified and confirmed the first evidence of an invasive aquatic plant species on the lake. Swollen Bladderwort, or Utricularia Inflata, was found in various coves throughout the lake. While this is not welcome news, the Association is working to contain and, hopefully one day, eradicate the plant.
While the discovery of Swollen Bladderwort is upsetting, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. With the impacts of a warming climate, Little Ossipee’s proximity to Lake Arrowhead (which manages many invasive plants), and a public boat launch, it was highly possible an invasive plant would be found. But we should not – and will not! – sit back.
Late last summer, LOLA contacted different partners across the state and in coordination with Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM) and Maine DEP, a management plan was created.
- On May 22 2024, a lake-wide survey was conducted by LSM and our IPP team, documenting exactly where the plant is found and how bad the infestation is. Eon Cove has suffered the worst infestation year after year and is likely to still be the area of greatest challenge.
- Next, the Maine DEP contracted with a plant removal company, New England Milfoil, to manually remove the plant. They used a Diver Assisted Suction Harvest (DASH) boat to suction as much of the plant out of the lake as possible over a four-day period.
- In late summer, LOLA scheduled manual harvest days, after seeing how the plant responded to manual harvest. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING US WITH FUTURE HARVESTS, PLEASE LET US KNOW!
- Finally, in early fall, LSM conducted a second lake-wide survey to map the progression of the plant.
It is important to note that management of Swollen Bladderwort, and its eventual eradication, will take many years. We all need to remain vigilant to stopping its spread. LOLA is incredibly thankful for the support we’ve received from LSM and Maine DEP. Their swift attention, and financial support, is giving our lake a chance to combat this nasty plant.
Please become familar with how to identify the plant. An identification chart is available upon request, as well as elsewhere on this website. If you find Swollen Bladderwort, carefully remove it in one piece! If shreds of the plant manage to float free, they will grow to “adult” size and proliferate elsewhere. You can burn, bury, or compost the plant. Once it is dead there is no risk of it coming back to life if a dead fragment should wash into the lake. If everyone monitors their own shoreline, there can be a real chance of eradication. Always, ALWAYS report your findings to LOLA!
If you are interested in joining the IPP team, we are looking for people to join us. The more Bladderwort Warriors the better! Email Bruce Church, IPP team lead at bruce7157@gmail.com.
If you haven’t already, or if you never have, truly, this is the most important time to renew or become a member of the Association. To be frank, fighting an invasive will take considerable time and money, and we need everyone to give as generously as they can. If you’ve already paid your dues this year, thank you!
In the coming days and weeks, the Association will share more information here and on our Facebook page. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. You can email the entire board at directors@littleossipeelake.org. Your support and help is much appreciated!