September 15th marked the end of Lewis Creek Association’s (LCA) boat launch steward program at Bristol and Monkton Ponds. The two ponds saw many visitors throughout the summer months, from anglers to recreational boaters to wildlife enthusiasts, making them ideal locations to educate the public about aquatic invasive species (AIS). As of 2024, there are three known AIS in Bristol Pond: European Frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae), Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), and Brittle Naiad (Najas minor) (discovered by the boat launch stewards in 2021 at Bristol Pond), and there are four known AIS in Monkton Pond: Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), Curly-leaf Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus L.), Chinese Mystery Snail (Cipangopaludina chinensis), and Banded Mystery Snail (Viviparus georgianus). Presence of these AIS in these popular ponds means that they could function as points of introduction for the spread of AIS in the Lewis Creek watershed and throughout the state. The goal of LCA’s boat launch steward program is to prevent the spread of AIS by inspecting watercraft for AIS and other biological materials, identifying and removing suspicious specimens, collecting data, and educating the public about AIS spread prevention.
Owen Drury poses for a photo on a beautiful July morning in the summer of 2024 at Bristol Pond. Photo credit: Portia Butrym
Though the exceptional amount of rain during the summers of 2023 and 2024 may have prevented some from visiting Bristol and Monkton Ponds, many were still undeterred. LCA’s boat launch stewards interacted with a total of 300 watercraft at Bristol Pond and 103 watercraft at Monkton Pond. The vast majority of visitors were already familiar with AIS, likely due to the longevity of the LCA boat steward program and repeated instances of boat stewards across the state educating the public about AIS concerns. However, boat stewards still intercepted 21 watercraft with AIS on them before and/or after entering Bristol and Monkton Ponds. If the AIS were not removed by the boat stewards, these watercraft could have introduced AIS to new waterbodies throughout the state and possibly further. The boat stewards also helped remove brittle naiad near the dock at Bristol Pond during the free time between greeting visitors.
For the fifth summer, LCA’s boat launch steward program was successful in intercepting AIS and educating the public on the issues surrounding AIS. The vast majority of visitors to Bristol Pond and Monkton Pond seemed genuinely excited to have the program at the ponds. Research has shown that visual inspection and hand removal of aquatic vegetation is extremely effective at preventing AIS from spreading to other bodies of water, making LCA’s boat launch steward program integral to maintaining the health of waterbodies within the Lewis Creek watershed. The program could potentially prevent, both directly and indirectly, AIS from spreading to other uninfested waterbodies.
A boat steward conducts a standard Q&A and inspection of watercraft before launching. Photo credit: Portia Butrym
This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement (NA23NOS4690078) to NEIWPCC in partnership with the Lake Champlain Basin Program.
