Impact: Milfoil grows quickly in the spring and once the stems hit the water surface,
they branch in all different directions to produce a dense mat of vegetation and blocks sunlight for plants below the surface.
Because of its ability to out compete native plant species a monoculture is created, and aquatic plant diversity can decrease.
These thick mats of vegetation can add more phosphorous and nitrogen to the water column and alter water quality by raising
pH and temperature and decrease dissolved oxygen making poor habitat for fish, waterfowl and other species. These thick mats
can also create stagnant water that may serve as breeding grounds for mosquitos.
Milfoil can interfere with boating, fishing, and swimming when one encounters the dense mats of vegetation
that can form. The vegetation can become entangled in boat propellers and boating equipment. Milfoil has also been known to
clog pipes in irrigation canals, and water and power generation intakes.
Prevention: As with most invasive species, once milfoil becomes established,
it is almost impossible to eliminate from an area.
