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Spiny water flea. Photo from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Help Prevent the Spread of Spiny Water Flea

A new study released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service examines possible routes by which the invasive plankton species, spiny water flea, might reach Lake Champlain and options for trying to prevent such spread. The spiny water flea is an invasive plankton species. To date, no invasive plankton have been found in Lake Champlain. The spiny water flea is currently found in Great Sacandaga Reservoir in Fulton and Saratoga Counties, NY, just south of the Champlain Basin and with a short water link to the Champlain Canal.

The study determined that the spiny water flea is most likely to reach Lake Champlain in a recreational boat travelling between the two water bodies, saying, “based on the biology of the Spiny Water Flea, there is a low probability it will spread from Great Sacandaga Lake to Lake Champlain through the Champlain Canal. Although spiny water flea has been detected in riverine environments, their preferred habitat is a deep lake environment. If detected in the Sacandaga or Hudson rivers, it is not likely that the spiny water flea would persist long enough to travel an estimated 50 miles from Great Sacandaga Lake to Lake Champlain. There is higher likelihood that the SWF will be spread to Lake Champlain via human activities.”  

The study reinforces the importance of personal responsibility for preventing the spread of invasive species. Boaters must ensure that their crafts are clean and free of weed fragments, residual water in live wells and bait buckets, and other potential sources of invasive species. All boaters must take steps to personally help protect the ecological integrity of our waters.