The largest known population of water soldier in North America is now in Lake Simcoe, according to the Invasive Species Centre<\/p>\n
NEWS RELEASE
\nINVASIVE SPECIES CENTRE
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\nResidents and visitors are being called on to help protect Lake Simcoe from water soldier, a fast-spreading invasive aquatic plant. It\u2019s ability to spread quickly along shorelines and in shallow waters can limit recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, and boating, and is even a human health risk, as the plant has sharp, serrated leaves that can cut the skin.<\/p>\n
The water soldier population in Lake Simcoe is the largest known population in North America. Lake Simcoe is also the largest inland lake in southern Ontario and a vital source of drinking water for 500,000 residents. Given the significance of both the infestation and the lake itself, collaboration is essential to address potential control and management efforts while preventing further spread.<\/p>\n
Since the plant was first detected in Cook\u2019s Bay in August 2024, the Lake Simcoe Water Soldier Working Group, a collaboration of federal and provincial ministries, Indigenous organizations, municipalities, conservation authorities, universities, and non-government organizations, has been leading efforts to monitor the infestation and develop a coordinated management plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cMonitoring and management planning efforts by the Working Group are ongoing, but preventing the spread of water soldier relies heavily on public action. Community members play a critical role,\u201d says Colin Cassin, Invasive Species Centre Executive Director. \u201cReport sightings and reduce the risk of further spread by cleaning, draining, and drying watercraft and equipment after use.\u201d<\/p>\n
How Community Members Can Help Prevent the Spread:<\/p>\n
\n\tClean, Drain, Dry your watercraft and equipment when you leave Lake Simcoe and other waterbodies so that you aren\u2019t moving water soldier or other invasive species on your watercraft. Even small plant fragments can be transported by boats or equipment and establish new infestations.
\n\tLearn how to recognize water soldier and report sightings<\/a> of it. A good report includes an accurate location of the sighting and photos.
\n\tSafely pull it. Watch the Parks Canada See It, Pull It<\/a> video to learn the skills and equipment you will need to carefully remove water soldier on your own. Make sure you refer to the Prevention and Response Plan for Water Soldier<\/a> to ensure you meet all the management requirements and complete activities during the In-Water Work Timing Windows<\/a>.
\n\tIf you are disposing of water soldier, do it properly. Dispose of it in regular household garbage or on dry land in a manner that ensures that no part of the plant will re-enter the body of water or enter any other body of water.
\n\tDon\u2019t use water soldier in aqua-scaping. Water soldier is prohibited under the Ontario Invasive Species Act. This means it is illegal to import, possess, deposit, release, transport, breed\/grow, buy, sell, lease or trade water solider in Ontario.
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