Did you know that Liberty Lake is home to a few different aquatic invasive species? LLSWD is aware of three; two are plants, and one is a snail from Asia. The District actively manages the invasive plants in the lake annually via aquatic herbicide treatments and occasionally diver hand removal. Our efforts are extremely targeted to these specific species, so as not to impact the native plant population. A healthy mix of native plant species help to impede the spread of these aggressive invaders, as well as uptake nutrients from the water column, reducing the frequency and intensity of algal growth.
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Eurasian watermilfoil
First identified in Liberty Lake in 1995, and is present to this day.
https://invasivespecies.wa.gov/priorityspecies/eurasian-watermilfoil/
https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/eurasian-watermilfoil
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Curly-leaf Pondweed
First identified in Liberty Lake in 2018, and is present to this day.
https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/curlyleaf-pondweed
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Chinese Mystery Snail (Cipangopaludina chinensis)
First identified in Liberty Lake in 2003.
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Actions you can take to stop the spread of invaders to our lake (and others):
- Clean, Drain, Dry your boat every time you remove it from a waterbody.
- Remove any floating weed fragments you find on your beach or on the lake. (A dime size piece of milfoil can result in many more plants)
- NEVER dump your unwanted aquarium contents into a waterbody. This is likely how the snails came to reside in Liberty.
Resources
https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/invasive/prevention
https://invasivespecies.wa.gov/address-pathways/aquariums-and-pets/
https://stopaquatichitchhikers.org/
