Aquatic Invasive Species
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 Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator, Lisa Burns Washburn County Land & Water Conservation Department Phone: (715) 468-4654 Fax: (715) 468-4640 Email: lburns@co.washburn.wi.us |
STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS!
Washburn County has roughly 960 named and unnamed lakes, ranking third in the state for lake richness. It also contains 18 impoundments and 60 streams. Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are on the move to invade Wisconsin’s water bodies. The AIS Coordinator provides assistance to lake groups and individuals interested in the identification and management of invasive species.
What are Aquatic Invasive Species?
Aquatic Invasive species are plants, animals and pathogens that are "out of place." A species is regarded as invasive if:
- it has been introduced by human action to a location, area, or region where it did not previously occur naturally (is not native)
- it becomes capable of establishing a population in the new location without further intervention by humans
- and spreads widely throughout the new location
Why are Aquatic Invasive Species a Problem?
Aquatic invasive species often leave their predators and competitors behind in their native ecosystems. Without these natural checks and balances they are able to reproduce rapidly and out-compete native species. Once established, they can alter ecological relationships among native species and can affect ecosystems function, economic value of ecosystems and human health.
In the United States, over $140 million is spent annually as a result of invasive species. Since its inception in fiscal year 2004, the Wisconsin Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program has invested about $24 million in grants to reimburse local projects to monitor and control invasive species. Washburn County has spent over $1million.
Watch out for these Invasives in NW Wisconsin:
- Eurasian Water Milfoil
- Curly Leaf Pondweed
- Purple Loosestrife
- Zebra Mussels
- Rusty Crayfish
- Spiny Water Flea
- Chinese Mystery Snail
- Banded Mystery Snail
- Japanese Knotweed
- Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS)
What Species are in Washburn County?
- By Water Body
- Purple Loosestrife Locations and Treatment Areas (pdf)
- Japanese Knotweed Locations and Treatment Areas (pdf)
- Japanese Knotweed Control Pictures (pdf)
- 2010 Purple Loosestrife Herbicide Report (pdf)
- 2011 Purple Loosestrife Herbicide Report (pdf)
- Purple Loosestrife Beetle Control Information (pdf)
- Washburn County AIS Strategic Plan (pdf)
Please help prevent the spread of invasive species:
- INSPECT—boats, trailers and equipment
- REMOVE—plants, animals and mud;
- DRAIN—water from boat, motor, bilge, live wells and bait containers;
- NEVER MOVE—live fish away from a waterbody
- DISPOSE—of unwanted bait in the trash. Use leftover minnows only under certain circumstances (refer to “Bait Laws” below)
WI Statewide AIS Laws
DNR Grant Information
How can you become involved?
- Educate yourself and others about AIS so early detection and management decisions can occur.
- If you think you have found an invasive, contact the WI DNR Lakes Coordinator or County AIS Coordinator immediately.
- Become familiar with the native plants growing in your lake and monitor for any changes species or abundance.
- Work with your County AIS Coordinator for help with identification, trainings and management decisions.
- Become a watercraft inspector at a boat landing through the Clean Boats Clean Waters Program*
- Monitor your lake or river for invasives through the Citizen Lake AIS monitoring Program*
(*Note: Both of these trainings are free and available through the county AIS Coordinator.)
