Today’s Poll

Aquatic invasive plants a risk to Slocan, Kootenay lakes

Nelson Daily Staff
By Nelson Daily Staff
January 31st, 2011

There is a species of aquatic invasive plant that may be putting Slocan Lake and Kootenay Lake’s ecosystem at risk.

The plant in question is didymo (didymosphenia geminate), also known as ‘rock snot,’ an invasive freshwater algae that has recently been discovered in the area.

Once established, didymo can form a thick, brown, beige or white blanket extending two to three kilometres in length across freshwater  streams and riverbeds.

The impact of didymo in BC includes a reduction of fish spawning habitat, alteration of species composition and invertebrate populations, restriction of water flow and depletion of dissolved oxygen in the water due to decomposition.

Although didymo appears slimy, the species actually feels like wet cotton, said Jennifer Vogel, who represents the Invasive Plant Council of BC’s Stop the Spread program.

Didymo is believed to be spread by a single cell, possibly through felt-soled waders worn by anglers.

There are currently no known methods of eradicating didymo once it infests a water body.

Here are some preventative tips to avoid the spread of didymo:

• check equipment for clumps of algae before leaving a waterway and leave driftwood where it is

• clean your gear by flushing for one minute using either hot water, a two per cent bleach solution, a five per cent salt or dishwashing liquid or antiseptic hand cleaner

• dry your equipment for at least 48 hours.

Categories: GeneralIssues

Other News Stories

Opinion