Water chestnuts are an extremely invasive plant that creates an impenetrable mat of growth that makes waterways inaccessible to boating and fishing. Additionally, when the dense mats of water chestnuts die off in the fall, they sink and decay which depletes the oxygen levels in the water destroying native fish populations.
As part of their work to maintain water quality, the Onondaga County Health Department’s Division of Environmental Health coordinates a combination of chemical treatment, mechanical harvesting and boat-based hand-pulling to reduce the amount of water chestnut mats in the Seneca River. The following areas along the Seneca River will be chemically treated in late July:
Jack’s Reef — South of buoy 399, near Jack’s Reef downstream to the vicinity of buoy 375 in the towns of Lysander and Van Buren. Forty-eight acres will be treated with Clearcast herbicide.
West of Route 690 to the Baldwinsville Dam — West of Dead Creek including the south side of Maloney Island to the Route 690 overpass and East to the vicinity of buoy 331 by Riverview Cemetery. From West of buoy 346 on the north side of Maloney Island to the vicinity of buoy 332 downstream from the Route 690 overpass in the Village of Baldwinsville. Approximately 47 acres will be treated with Clearcast herbicide.
Near the Onondaga Lake Outlet to Grenadier Village — From buoy 294 downstream to opposite Grenadier Village complex which is approximately at buoy 269 in the towns of Geddes and Lysander. Eighteen acres of water chestnuts will be treated with Rodeo herbicide.
Buoy 266 to vicinity of buoy 256 (Wetzel Road Treatment Plant) — Twenty-two acres on the town of Lysander side of the river will be treated with Clearcast.
North of the Route 31 Bridge (Belgium Bridge) — Approximately .4 miles north of the Belgium Bridge to downstream near buoy 222 in the town of Lysander; 12 acres will be treated with Clearcast.
This is a very invasive weed that if left untreated would spread to the point of making our waterways impassable. Please feel free to contact the Division of Environmental Health at (315) 435-6600 if you have any questions or concerns.
Brian May represents the First District, which includes the town of Lysander and the western portion of the town of Clay.
