The stalk of each leaf has an enlarged region which acts as an air bladder and keeps the plant afloat. Several rosettes are attached to a central root that is anchored in the mud. The plant is able to grow from the main root. Therefore, the root must be removed to effectively eradicate this weed. The seed of the plant is black, hard and has four sharp spines.
Seed can float and provide a way for the plant to disperse to downstream waters.
First recognized as a problem on campus in the 1940's, during the last several decades efforts have been made to eradicate this weed from Lower Lake. The primary control methodology has been mechanical raking of the lake using an aquatic weed harvester. The College has employed Aquatic Control Technologies, Inc. to annually harvest waterchestnut on Lower Lake. This method is useful when the waterchestnut population has already exploded. However, unless the remaining waterchestnut that is left behind is removed by hand, the plant will quickly reestablish itself.