Rhode Island's First Hydrilla: What You Need to Know!

Photo byKeith Jones

Hey, Rhode Island friends! Gino DeAngelis here with some surprising news for you. Remember the beautiful Indian Lake in South Kingstown? Well, we've got a bit of a situation. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM for short) just discovered the invasive plant called Hydrilla verticillata there. And guess what? This is the first time it's been spotted in our state.

A team from RIDEM was just doing their regular checkup on Indian Lake around August 9th when they stumbled upon this sneaky plant. Now, let me tell you why this is a bit concerning. Hydrilla is like that guest who overstays their welcome at a party. This resilient specimen not only thrives rapidly but could also pose issues if given free rein — obstructing our path to water sources and inflicting harm upon our pristine surroundings. Not to mention the hefty price tag that accompanies its removal strategy in case you wondered!

But don't fret! We can all play a part in stopping this plant from taking over. If you're someone who loves spending time near the water, maybe boating or just chilling, here's a tip. Make sure you clean all your gear after use. Notice some plants stuck to your equipment? Get rid of them. If your stuff's been in the water, drain it and leave it to dry for a day. Or, give it a good wipe-down before you use it again. Every little bit helps in keeping our waters Hydrilla-free!

Attribution

RIDEM announces invasive weed found for first time in state