Great strides are being made through meetings with officials, but vigilance cannot be ceased. Plants that live in lakes are an essential part of the water's community. They benefit a host of lifeforms, including humans. Aquatic plants can be a nuisance for lakeshore property owners, but it is important to remember that they are critical for a healthy lake environment. The water belongs to us all.
Aquatic plants help prevent shoreline erosion by breaking up wave action.
They provide a natural setting of food and shelter for fish and wildlife and are one of the first links in the aquatic food chain. These plants also affect the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of the lake. They filter and remove harmful wastes from water. An example would be that during a four-month period of growing season, one acre of bulrushes can remove from water the amount of phosphorus created by 33 people. This includes even exotic species such as hydrilla.