Invasive Aquatic Plants

The introduction of non-indigenous invasive plant and animal species to the United States has been escalating with widespread destructive consequences. Until now Maine has been spared the worst introductions, but this will not last. Significant habitat disruption, loss of native plant and animal communities, loss of property values, reduced fishing and water recreation opportunities and large public/private expenditures have accompanied invasive plant introductions in all of the lower 48 states except Maine.

Topics

• How to report invasive plants. What to do if you think there is an invasive plant growing in your lake or stream.
• Materials. Reports, maps, pamphlets, laws, documented infestations, and more.
• Plan. Maine's action plan for managing invasive aquatic species.
• Pictures of the eleven most unwanted invasive plant species: Brazilian Elodea, Curly-leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Milfoil, European frogbit, European Naiad, Fanwort, Hydrilla, Parrot Feather, Variable-leaf Milfoil, Water Chestnut, Yellow Floating Heart.
• Stickers. Boat stickers required by law.

Related pages

• Cost Share Grants: cost share grants for local projects to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic plants - inspections and plant removal.
• Courtesy Boat Inspections
• Interagency Task Force on Invasive Aquatic Plants and Nuisance Species
• Use of Aquatic Herbicides. Important warning concerning the use of aquatic pesticides.
• Water Gardeners and Aquarium Owners. Information concerning common pseudonyms for banned plants.

Infestations in Maine

	Infestation Location	Invasive Plant Common Name	Invasive Plant Species Name
1	Arrowhead Infestation	variable-leaf milfoil	Myriophyllum heterophyllum
	Lake Arrowhead, Little Ossipee River
2	Lake Auburn Infestation	variable-leaf milfoil	Myriophyllum heterophyllum
	Lake Auburn, The Basin
3	Balch Pond Infestation	variable-leaf milfoil	Myriophyllum heterophyllum
	Balch Pond
4	Bryant Pond Infestation	variable-leaf milfoil	Myriophyllum heterophyllum
	Bryant Pond
5	Cushman Pond Infestation	variable-leaf milfoil	Myriophyllum heterophyllum
	Cushman Pond
6	Damariscotta Infestation	hydrilla	Hydrilla verticillata
	Damariscotta Lake, Davis Stream
7	Great Pond Infestation	variable-leaf milfoil	Myriophyllum heterophyllum
	Great Pond , Great Meadow Stream
8	Hogan Infestation	variable-leaf milfoil	Myriophyllum heterophyllum
	Hogan Pond, Little Androscoggin River
9	Legion Pond Infestation	curly-leaf pondweed	Potamogeton crispus
	Legion Pond	European naiad	Najas minor
10	Little Sebago Infestation	variable-leaf milfoil	Myriophyllum heterophyllum
	Little Sebago Lake, Collins Pond, Mill Pond	(hybrid)
11	Messalonskee Infestation	variable-leaf milfoil	Myriophyllum heterophyllum
	Messalonskee Lake, Belgrade Stream, Messalonskee Stream
12	Ossipee Infestation	variable-leaf milfoil	Myriophyllum heterophyllum
	Ossipee River in Porter and Parsonsfield
13	Pickerel  Pond Infestation	hydrilla	Hydrilla verticillata
	Pickerel Pond
14	Pleasant/Cobbossee Stream Infestation	variable-leaf milfoil	Myriophyllum heterophyllum
	Pleasant Pond, Cobbossee Stream, Horseshoe Pond, Purgatory Stream
15	Pleasant/Parker Infestation	variable-leaf milfoil	Myriophyllum heterophyllum
	Pleasant Lake, Parker Pond Outlet (Lily Brook)
16	Pleasant Hill Pond Infestation	Eurasian water-milfoil	Myriophyllum spicatum
	Pleasant Hill Pond
17	Presumpscot Infestation	variable-leaf milfoil	Myriophyllum heterophyllum
	Presumpscot River, Dundee Pond, North Gorham Pond
18	Saco River Infestation	variable-leaf milfoil	Myriophyllum heterophyllum
	Limington Rips to Bonney Eagle Dam, Skelton Flowage, Biddeford
19	Salmon Lake Infestation	Eurasian water-milfoil	Myriophyllum spicatum
	Salmon Lake
20	Sebago/Brandy Pond Infestation	variable-leaf milfoil	Myriophyllum heterophyllum
	Sebago Lake, Brandy Pond, Panther Run, Sebago Basin, Sebago Cove, Songo River
21	Shagg Pond Infestation	variable-leaf milfoil	Myriophyllum heterophyllum
	Shagg Pond
22	Spaulding Pond Infestation	variable-leaf milfoil	Myriophyllum heterophyllum
	Spaulding Pond, Salmon Falls River Reservoir
23	Thompson Infestation	variable-leaf milfoil	Myriophyllum heterophyllum
	Thompson Lake, The Heath
24	West Pond Infestation	curly-leaf pondweed	Potamogeton crispus
	West Pond
Click here to see a map of Infestations in Maine