Saturday, July 15th, 2023

10 AM- 4 PM EST

Oswegatchie River

Event Press Release

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Water chestnut is an invasive aquatic species that grows dense floating mats that impede outdoor recreation and reduce shoreline property values. There is an infestation of water chestnuts on the Oswegatchie River near the Village of Heuvelton. Water chestnut is an invasive aquatic plant that forms large mats that shade out native aquatic vegetation and has the ability to completely dominate surface waters. It reduces oxygen levels for fish and encourages sedimentation by restricting silt movement. The hard, pointy seeds of water chestnut can puncture vehicle tires or injure feet if stepped on. If not managed, the infestation of water chestnuts on the Oswegatchie River can grow and easily spread to connecting waterbodies, like Black Lake.

There will be a hand-pull removal effort on Saturday, July 15th, 2023 beginning at 10 AM and projected to end by 4 PM rain or shine unless lightning is in the forecast (7/16 reserved as an alternate inclement weather date). YOU MUST HAVE YOUR OWN WATERCRAFT TO ATTEND. 

The Village of Heuvelton Fire Department is donating lunch to those who attend this event (burgers, hot dogs, fries).

Volunteers will be divided into groups to launch at one of these sites: 

Launch Location 1-Launch from the Village of Heuvelton boat launch and paddle to the Horseshoe Campground (approximately 3-4 hours).

Launch Location 2– Launch from the Horseshoe Camp and paddle to Eel Weir State Park (approximately 3-4 hours).

If you plan to provide any services or equipment or will volunteer to hand-pull please CLICK HERE to REGISTER to indicate your intention (regardless of if you’ve already agreed to do so in other meetings or verbally). We are using your responses to this form to organize the event.

More details regarding logistics will be emailed to the address you provide as the event approaches. The above logistics are subject to change.
Please contact Megan.Pistolese@tnc.org with any questions you may have.

This effort is being supported by SLELO PRISM, The Black Lake Association, NYS Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation, NYS DEC, Indian River Lakes Conservancy, Save The River, Thousand Island Land Trust, the Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County, the Village of Heuvelton Fire Department, the City of Ogdensburg Fire & Rescue, the town of Morristown, Brookfield Energy, the Chippewa Bay Fish and Game Club, Chippewa Yacht Club, Black Lake Fish & Game Association, St. Lawrence Waterfowlers, St. Lawrence Valley Sportsman Club, St. Lawrence Sportsmens Federation, St. Lawrence Federal Credit Union, Comprehensive Weed Control of Northern New York, and many volunteers.

The organizations below are aiding the coordination of this event: