Aquatic Invasive Species

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are non-native species introduced to an aquatic ecosystem that causes environmental and/or economic harm. AIS can cause issues that impact our lakes, streams, and wetlands and are increasingly the focus of Watershed Council monitoring and management programs. Knowing how to identify AIS, how they got here, and what you can do to help prevent them from spreading is important. 

AIS on our watch list: European Frogbit, Hydrilla, Invasive Carp, New Zealand Mud Snail, Parrot Feather, Red Swamp Crayfish, Water Hyacinth, Brazilian Elodea, European Water Clover, Water Chestnut, Water Lettuce, Water Soldier, Yellow Floating Heart, Northern Snakehead, Marbled Crayfish

• Alewife
• Bloody Red Shrimp
• Curly Leaf Pondweed
• Eurasian Ruffe
• Eurasian Watermilfoil
• European Frogbit
• ​Flowering Rush 
• Giant Hogweed
• Golden Mussels
• ​Hydrilla
• Invasive Carp
• Invasive Knotweed

• Killer Shrimp
• New Zealand
  Mud Snail
• Parrot Feather 
• Phragmites
• Purple Loosestrife
• Quagga Mussels
• Red Swamp Crayfish
• Rock Snot (Dydimo)
• Round Goby
• Rusty Crayfish

• Sea Lamprey
• Spiney Waterflea
• ​Starry Stonewort
• Stone Moroko
• Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS)
• Water Hyacinth 
• Wels Catfish
• Yabby
• Zander
• Zebra Mussels

Zebra and Quagga Mussels

What are the impacts of aquatic invasive species?
There are both economic and ecological impacts, both of which are quite serious. Economically, there are losses in tourism, sports-fisheries, industry and more. In Michigan, fishing expenditures alone exceed $800,000,000 per year(1), a figure that could drop substantially as aquatic invasive species disrupt ecosystems and impact fisheries. Losses in the U.S. are estimated at $78.5 billion annually and studies have estimated lost property values on infested water bodies of up to $12,000 per property(2). Ecologically, aquatic invasive species' impacts include food-web disruptions, native species reduction or loss (and dependent species), water quality degradation, and the introduction of pathogens. Furthermore, ecosystem disruptions and imbalances can result in increased danger to human health.

This Burt Lake boat launch sign educates boaters about the invasive species to watch for as well as how to prevent their spread from one lake to another.

How are we dealing with aquatic invasive species in northern Michigan?
The Watershed Council works on many fronts when it comes to invasive species. 

• We have programs to monitor the spread of invasive species. 
• We provide educational materials and presentations to others to help spread the word about the impacts of aquatic invasive species. 
• We actively work to manage invasive species in our lakes and streams where it is feasible. 
• We work with several lake associations throughout northern Michigan to control Phragmites, Eurasian watermilfoil and purple loosestrife infestations.
• We work to combat the aquatic invasive species problem on the policy front by encouraging and supporting legislation that addresses the spread of invasive species. 

1 U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau. 2001 National 
  Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. 
2 Varney, R. W. 2004. Fighting the Spread of Invasive Species in Connecticut. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  http://www.epa.gov/region01/ra/column/archive/invasivespecies_ct_20040809.html