Press Release
September 19, 2011
Alane Ball Chinian, (518) 584-2000, ext. 222
Removal of Invasive Plant for Moreau Lake State Park
New York State Parks is launching a project this fall to eradicate an invasive weed from the shoreline of Moreau Lake. The target plant, phragmites, is a non-native plant sometimes called common reed. Originally from the Middle East, phragmites has spread rapidly across the northeast. Often seen in roadside ditches along local highways, this wetland plant has been spreading along the shores of Moreau Lake for several years and now covers more than 3.5 acres, obliterating views of the lake and diminishing the habitats for beaver, muskrat, and wading birds.
Phragmites typically grows in an impenetrable mass ten feet high or more. This dense, tall growth allows phragmites to crowd and shade out native vegetation that is more valuable to our local wildlife. The phragmites at Moreau Lake has been progressively spreading for a number of years and without treatment it will continue to spread until virtually all of the shoreline becomes ringed by phragmites.
According to Casey Holzworth, Natural Resource Steward for State Parks, "Phragmites has a longer growing season than our native plants. Applying herbicide at this time of year will make it maximally effective for treatment of phragmites, while reducing the risk to native plants which are now dormant."
"We wanted the public to be aware of this project up front, so visitors to Moreau Lake State Park would be forewarned about these operations near the lake shore," said Alane Ball Chinian, regional director for State Parks.
Three patches will be treated in the coming weeks: the southernmost bay near the beach road as you enter the park and first see the lake, the shallow bay just south of the boat docks and beach, and the northernmost bay past the bridge.
These sites will be secured from the public during treatment. This environmental stewardship project is made possible with funding provided to Moreau Lake State Park as mitigation for the Saratoga County Waterline.