Aquatic nuisance species have the potential to crowd out native species, disrupt local ecology, and sometimes threaten human health. The Connecticut River is currently infested with water chestnut. Management objectives for eliminating or controlling the spread of this nuisance species include monitoring, removal and public education. This summer, the Connecticut River Coordinator's Office and the Sunderland Fishery Resources Office teamed up with the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge to take action.

The Sunderland office, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, surveyed 20 lakes and ponds in Springfield and discovered one new infestation in the lower pond at VanHorn Park. It was subsequently removed by refuge staff. The partners removed a total of over six tons of water chestnut from three sites: Cove Island Cove in South Hadley and Vinton's Mill Pond and the Hockanum River in East Hartford, Conn. Risk analyses were conducted to prevent the unintentional transfer of water chestnut when agencies are transferring salmon within the basin.

The refuge's water chestnut fact sheet was distributed in February to over 100 classrooms in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont as part of the educational materials provided to classrooms in the Connecticut River basin salmon-in-the-schools programs. The same information was shared with participants at the Westfield River Watershed Association Symposium in March and again to the general public this the summer when the Connecticut River Coordinator's Office Web site was updated.

NORTHEAST REGION, U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE -- Conserving the Nature of the Northeast