Lake Hopatcong Needs Water Scouts To Hunt An Invasive Plant This Summer

LAKE HOPATCONG, NJ — The Lake Hopatcong Foundation is recruiting volunteer Water Scouts to paddle the lake this summer in search of water chestnut, an aggressive invasive plant that can crowd out native species and threaten wildlife habitat and recreation.

Water Scouts kayak, canoe or boat through designated areas of the lake, searching for the invasive plant and removing it by hand. Volunteers are asked to survey their assigned area at least once around mid-July and as often as possible throughout the summer, with training provided by the foundation.

The math behind the mission is daunting: a single water chestnut seed can produce 15 to 20 new rosettes, and each rosette can generate up to 20 seeds. Those seeds can remain viable in lake sediments for years, making regular scouting and removal critical, according to the foundation.

The plant can hitchhike between waterbodies on boats, trailers and even wildlife, which is why early detection by volunteers plays a key role in preventing its spread.

The program has shown results. During the 2025 season, Water Scouts located and hand-pulled 163 water chestnut plants containing 240 rosettes in the Woodport area near Liffy Island and the Prospect Point Preserve — many before their seeds had fully developed, helping prevent future generations from taking hold.

The foundation says no special expertise is required — experienced paddlers and casual boaters alike can volunteer. Those interested can sign up through the foundation's website at lakehopatcongfoundation.org, or contact info@lakehopatcongfoundation.org or 973-663-2500 with questions.

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