Many aquatic plants exist within Chautauqua Lake. Its nutrient-rich sediments provide a fertile growing bed for vegetation. Some of the lake’s plants are native to our area and provide critical ecological and environmental benefits, while those that are invasive (introduced from distant locales) can negatively impact the ecological function, recreational use, and economic value of the lake. To help combat these invasives and other nuisance plants in Chautauqua Lake, the AIS Early Detection Network was created, which consists of Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy staff, volunteers, and program partners.

Again this summer, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, with funding assistance from the Chautauqua Lake & Watershed Management Alliance, is holding a series of public programs focused on the lake’s invasive plants. Through targeted education and outreach efforts, we’ll train volunteers in the identification of invasive species through online and in-person training sessions. We’ll then take to the water in various locations around the lake throughout the summer to re-survey areas where invasives have been previously reported and also survey potential new sites for them as well. If found, these target invasive species will be reported through the online reporting portal iMapInvasives (www.imapinvasives.org), and the offending plants will be carefully removed. It is in exactly this manner that hundreds of invasive water chestnut plants have been removed from the Chautauqua Lake outlet. It also led to the discovery of two significant populations of the plant-like algae starry stonewort along Ashville Bay and Prendergast Point in the summer of 2022.

OUR 2023 SESSION DATES & LOCATIONS (paddle dates are weather permitting):

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Initial Informational Zoom Meetings:

• June 7th (Wed), 7:00-8:00 pm

(use this link at attend: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83728635761?pwd=b0tJOVA1YTJsQXVCaTkra3F6cW4ydz09)

• June 12th (Mon), 7:00-8:00 pm

(use this link to attend: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88079334062?pwd=NkhTc1JMK2F4OVMvc3Qxbzlla1JVdz09)

• June 28th (Wed), 7:30-8:30 pm

(use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88225676229?pwd=bG1qajRHNVByM1VQNmZZb1dMMjlTdz09)

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On-Water Classroom & Early Detection Survey Paddles:

• CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER - June 14th (Wed), 1:00-4:30 pm, survey of CHQ Lake outlet, launch at Celoron Park

• June 19th (Mon), 2:00-5:30 pm, survey of CHQ Lake outlet, launch at Celoron Park

• June 23rd (Fri), 8:30am-noon, survey of Prendergast Creek, launch at DEC boat launch

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On-Water Early Detection Survey Paddles:

• June 28th (Wed), 1:00-4:30 pm, survey of Ashville Bay, launch at Ashville Bay Marina

• July 8th (Sat), 1:00-4:30 pm, survey of Prendergast Creek, launch at DEC boat launch

• July 14th (Fri), 8:30 am-noon, survey of CHQ Lake outlet, launch at McCrae Point

• July 19th (Wed), 1:00-4:30 pm, survey of CHQ Lake outlet, launch at Celoron Park

• July 23rd (Sun), 1:00-4:30 pm, survey of Prendergast Creek, launch at DEC boat launch

• August 2nd (Wed), 1:00-4:30 pm, survey of Ashville Bay, launch at Ashville Bay Marina

• August 6th (Sun), 1:00-4:30 pm, survey near Mayville Park, launch from Carlson Community Center

• August 16th (Wed), 1:00-4:30 pm, survey of Bemus Point/Long Point State Park, launch at Bemus Point

• August 25th (Fri), 8:30 am-noon, survey of CHQ Lake outlet, launch at McCrae Point

• CANCELLED DUE TO HIGH WINDS & LOW VISIBILITY: August 30th (Wed), 1:00-4:30 pm, survey of CHQ Lake outlet, launch at Celoron Park

• September 6th (Wed), 1:00-4:30 pm, survey of CHQ Lake Outlet, launch at Celoron Park

• September 10th (Sun), 1:00-4:30 pm, survey of Prendergast Creek, launch at DEC boat launch

• September 20th (Wed), 1:00-4:30 pm, location TBD

If you’re interested in participating in any of the on-water surveys, please email Sandra Emke at ais@chautauquawatershed.org. Though participation is free, pre-registration is requested as attendance is capped at 10 participants per session. Please note that participants will need to bring his or her own kayak or canoe and personal protective equipment (life jacket).

 Aquatic Invasive Species Surveys - YouTube