Invasive WaterLilies

The fragrant waterlily is a plant that is native to the eastern and southeastern portions of the United States. Introduced to Salmon Lake in 1937, the fragrant waterlily rapidly spread throughout the water bodies here in the Clearwater Valley. Fragrant waterlilies are considered to be aquatic invasive species because they are not native to the area. These invasive lilies impede recreation and adversely impact both native fish populations and water quality.

In 2022, CRC is planning a series of projects to combat these invasive water lilies.

1. CRC is hosting a volunteer event targeting the removal of invasive waterlilies on the Clearwater River Canoe Trail. The canoe trail is an important environmental and economic resource in the Clearwater Valley, and an infestation of fragrant water lilies would be a threat to its viability. The canoe trail currently contains several relatively small patches of waterlilies. With such a limited number of invasivelilies, removal and management of the lilies via digging is feasible. Stay tuned to this page for more details about this upcoming project.

2. CRC is maintaining a fragrant waterlily demonstration site on Seeley Lake. This summer we anticipate continued cutting of lilies and will monitor changes in density over time.

3. If funding permits, a new demo site will be established on Placid Lake. The purpose of this site is to use and test varied methods of lily control without the use of herbicides. CRC, working with a private property owner, plans to compare the efficacy of hand cutting, mechanized cutting (not pulling!!!) and bottom barriers over time. Test plot results will enable us to develop better control methodologies and improve aquatic habitat in Seeley, Inez, Salmon and Placid lakes.

Do you have other questions about invasive waterlilies, download this Q&A information .pdf

Curious to know more about CRC’s past efforts to remove invasive liliies?
Start by reading page 5 of CRC’s Fall 2021 Newsletter and these Seeley Swan Pathfinder articles:

• August 5, 2021 article, “Clearing out invasive water lilies” by Henry Netherland.

• July 15, 2021 issue, “Volunteers Dig to Remove Fragrant Waterlily” submitted by CRC Staff