June 10, 2026| Community, Environment, People
By: Holly Odgers
A paddle around the lake can make a lasting difference for Lake Hopatcong.
We are seeking volunteer Water Scouts to help protect the lake from water chestnut, an aggressive invasive aquatic plant that can spread rapidly, crowd out native species, and impact wildlife habitat and recreation.
Water chestnut can be transported from one waterbody to another on boats, trailers, or even wildlife. That's why early detection and removal by volunteers is such an important part of preventing its spread and protecting the health of Lake Hopatcong's ecosystem.
As a Water Scout, you'll kayak, canoe, or boat through designated areas of the lake, searching for invasive water chestnut and removing it. Volunteers are asked to survey their assigned area at least once around mid-July and as often as possible throughout the summer. Training is provided.
A single water chestnut seed can produce 15 to 20 new rosettes, and each rosette can generate up to 20 seeds. Those seeds can remain viable in lake sediments for years, making regular scouting & removal critical to protecting the lake from infestation.
During the 2025 season, Water Scouts located and hand-pulled 163 water chestnut plants containing 240 rosettes in the Woodport area near Liffy Island and the Prospect Point Preserve. Many of those plants were removed before their seeds had fully developed, helping prevent future generations of water chestnut from taking hold.
Whether you're an experienced paddler or simply enjoy spending time on the water, Water Scouts play an important role in protecting Lake Hopatcong. Every scouting trip helps keep this invasive species in check and supports the long-term health of the lake.
If you have any questions about becoming a Water Scout, please contact us at info@lakehopatcongfoundation.org or 973-663-2500.
Ready to get started? Sign up as a Water Scout at the link below.
