Volunteers Invited to Paddle with a Purpose in Southbury

(Southbury) Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition (PRWC) is looking for volunteer paddlers to join them in making a positive impact by paddling with a purpose during the months of June and July. PRWC has four paddling events planned in Southbury in the coming weeks. On Thursday July 11 and Friday July 12, volunteers will be trained to identify the invasive water chestnut plant (Trapa natans) - an easily recognizable plant with a bad reputation for growing quickly and choking out native plants in rivers, lakes, and ponds in CT - before launching their own boats on Lake Zoar near the mouth of the Pomperaug River.

On July 11, volunteers should be ready to leave the State Boat Launch for Lake Zoar in Southbury at 10:00 AM and be prepared to paddle up river just beyond the Rochambeau Bridge before returning to the boat launch. On July 12, volunteers should be ready to leave the former Southbury Town Beach on River Road at 5:30 PM to paddle up the Pomperaug River approximately one mile before returning to the starting point. Each of these events are expected to last about 2 hours not including the time it takes volunteers to unload and load their boat from the car.

The goal of each paddle is to scout for any signs of this plant growing downstream of the Pomperaug River where seeds of the plant have been found. The plant has already established itself in Lake Stibbs (aka Gravel Pit Pond) at the Southbury Training School, and was likely introduced there by waterfowl transporting the seeds unknowingly. Water chestnut has also been observed in Transylvania Pond and Wood Lake where waterfowl are again likely to be responsible for the spread.

“We’re really hoping to NOT find the plant in the lower section of the Pomperaug River during the upcoming paddling events,” said Carol Haskins, PRWC Executive Director. “The more eyes we have looking out for this plant the better - early detection and hand-pulling is key to preventing further spread.”

PRWC has been working with the Southbury Training School on efforts to eradicate this nuisance plant for the past few years. In 2022, funding from CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Aquatic Invasive Species Control Grant Program allowed for a chemical treatment of Lake Stibbs. Prior to treatment, the nearly six-acre lake was almost fully overgrown with the invasive water chestnut. There is now open water again, but efforts to hand-pull plants that continue to emerge from seeds stored in the lake bottom are necessary to prevent further growth and spread. Each plant typically generates eight to ten seeds, which can remain dormant in the sediment for upwards of 12 years.

Olivia DiPalermo, PRWC’s Community Engagement Coordinator, noted that, “When you do the math, you quickly realize how these plants can take over when left unchecked.” She went on to say “Pulling water chestnut by kayak or canoe before the plants produce seeds is the most efficient control method, and a great way to engage by volunteering!”

On Saturday June 29, volunteers are needed between 10 AM and 3 PM to help with the hand-pulling efforts at Lake Stibbs, which is situated off of Route 172 near Constitution Way in Southbury. Volunteers may come for all or part of the day. Grant funding to support the community education about water chestnut and volunteer engagement in the hand-pulling efforts was provided by the Southbury Community Trust Fund.

Volunteers for each of the paddling events are required to BYOB: Bring Your Own Boat, paddle, and personal floatation device (PFD). Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are all suitable vessels for these volunteer events. To learn more about these events and to register, visit www.pomperaug.org/events. Pre-registration is greatly appreciated.