Join water chestnut removal efforts occurring in the SLELO region. Water chestnut (Trapa natans) is an invasive aquatic plant that grows thick, dense, floating mats that impede aquatic recreation, reduce waterfront property values, and alter aquatic ecosystems. Water chestnut populations can be suppressed through manual removals of their floating rosette and nutlets.

What to Expect: Using a kayak or canoe to paddle around a given area to collect the floating rosettes and nutlets of water chestnut and bring them ashore to be disposed of.

Tips: When removing water chestnut plants, it’s only necessary to take out the leaves and fruits. Since water chestnuts are annuals, the roots will die without leaves, and the plant can’t spread without seeds. Uprooting the entire plant disturbs the sediment at the bottom of the water body, which can alter the shape of rivers and streams and reduce nutrient availability for native aquatic plants.

Help capture state-wide water chestnut control efforts and report pre- and post-treatment data to iMapInvasives.org. View a step-by-step guide HERE.

2025 upcoming water chestnut hand-pull events: 

Location: Oswegatchie River, Heuvelton, NY

• Date: July 11th (alternate bad weather dates: July 12th or 25th)
• Time: 9:45 am-3 pm (estimated)
• Details: Lunch provided. Volunteers will be assigned to one of these launch locations: 
  Launch Location 1-Launch from the Village of Heuvelton boat launch and paddle to the Horseshoe Camp Ground (approximately 3-4 hours).
  Launch Location  2– Launch from the Horseshoe Camp Ground and paddle to Eel Weir State Park (approximately 3-4 hours).
• If you need to borrow a watercraft or lifejacket, please indicate so on the registration, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you. 
• Contact: Megan Pistolese-Shaw megan.pistolese@tnc.org 
• Host: SLELO PRISM, NYS Parks, and various partners
• Registration  Required to Attend

Location: Oneida Lake-Johnnies in Canastota, NY

• Date: July 10th
• Time: TBD
• Contact: Jessica Pyrda, Jessica.pyrda@oneidacountyswcd.org
• Host: Oneida SWCD

Location: South Colwell Pond Lakeview WMA (Montario Pt. Rd. Access)

• Date: Tuesday, July 22nd (alternate bad weather date: July 24th)
• Time: 9:30 AM- 3 PM
• Details:  Meet and launch at the South Colwell Pond Lakeview WMA, Montario Point Rd. Ellisburg/Mannsville, NY
• If you need to borrow a watercraft or lifejacket, please indicate so on the registration, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you. 
• Host: SLELO PRISM
• Contact: megan.pistolese@tncorg; 315-522-1258
• REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO ATTEND

Location: Lakeview WMA (Mud Brook Access)

• Date: Tuesday, July 22nd (alternate bad weather date: July 24th)
• Time: 9:30 AM- 3 PM
• Details:  Meet and launch from the Mud Brook Access Road off Route 3 in Ellisburg, NY.
• Bring your watercraft and life jackets. 
• Host: NYS DEC
• Contact: Jayla.White@dec.ny.gov 
• REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO ATTEND

Location: Guffin Bay, Chaumont NY 

• Date: Friday, August 1st (alternate bad weather date: August 8th)
• Time: 9 am-12:30 PM
• Details: Meet at Old Moffatt Road in Dexter, NY, and paddle 10-15 minutes to Guffin Bay.
• If you need to borrow a watercraft or lifejacket, please indicate so on the registration, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you. 
• Host: Save the River
• Contact: Caryn Clements programs@savetheriver.org (315) 686-2010 ext. 203.
• REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO ATTEND