Hydrilla represents a new and potentially devastating risk to the Twin Lakes. It is believed to have come to East Twin on a visiting boat and so far has been spotted only near the marina. This weed is most commonly found in southern states but in the past few years found its way to the Connecticut River, which is being choked by the weed’s rapid growth. The video above details the impact of unchecked hydrilla spread. To read more about it click here.
The Twin Lakes Association board is acting with urgency. We applied for emergency treatment in August 2023 and upon request for more information from the Connecticut Natural Diversity Data Base replied with details you can find here.
The New York Times reports that humans have introduced more than 37,000 species to places outside their natural ranges globally. More than 3,500 of those are harmful to their new ecosystems. Here is the study that is the basis for the Times report. The Lakeville Journal published this report. A subscription is needed.
Red triangles mark confirmed locations where hydrilla was found and removed. There is no certainty that all the hydrilla was cleared.
At left, hydrilla verticillata like that found in the Connecticut River and pulled at the marina in August. At right, how to tell the difference between the invasive Connecticut River strain and the native Elodea. The most obvious distinguishing feature is five or more leafs on the invasive and only three leafs on the native.