In nutrient-rich lakes it can form thick underwater stands of tangled stems and vast mats of vegetation at the water's surface. In shallow areas the plant can interfere with water recreation such as boating, fishing, and swimming. The plant's floating canopy can also crowd out important native water plants. A key factor in the plant's success is its ability to reproduce through stem fragmentation and underground runners. A single segment of stem and leaves can take root and form a new colony.
Fragments clinging to boats and trailers can spread the plant from lake to lake.
The mechanical clearing of weed beds for beaches, docks, and landings creates thousands of new stem fragments. Removing native vegetation creates perfect habitat for invading Eurasian watermilfoil. Eurasian watermilfoil has difficulty becoming established in lakes with healthy populations of native plants. In some lakes the plant appears to coexist with native flora and has little impact on fish and other aquatic animals. Stems can become lodged among any watercraft apparatus or sports equipment that moves through the water, including boat trailers.