The WWN’s Weed Watcher Program draws on volunteers from around the lake who periodically patrol the shoreline and near-shore areas in their location to look for any new, potentially invasive species of plants or animals. The purpose of the program is to identify the presence of any new invasives or new growth of an existing invasive before it gets to be a problem. In our first year of the program our weed-watchers identified several new areas of variable milfoil that were added to the comprehensive milfoil plan. You can find more information on Aquatic Invasive Species here.

If you’d like to help out, we’re looking for new Weed Watchers. You can volunteer and be assigned an area near your residence. The NHDES Exotic Species Program provides training materials to all of our volunteers.  To learn more about the NHDES Weed Watcher Program click here.

Weed watchers:  Click on the button above to fill out the Weed Watcher Report after each weed watching session to let us know that you completed your monthly survey and if you found a suspicious plant growth or animal.  

2022 Campaign

The weed watching campaign began in June, and as of mid July milfoil has been found only in locations previously infested. In early July our Lake Hosts who inspect boats and trailers at the public ramp removed an invasive water chestnut seed from a boat/trailer prior to launching the boat into the lake.

2021 Weed Watcher Campaign

Weed watching resumed in June again this Summer and was conducted monthly along the entire shoreline of the lake by weed watchers from all 5 towns bordering the lake.  Weed watching wrapped up for most volunteers in August. There were no new invasive species or new growths of variable milfoil found in the lake. Luckily, our Lake Hosts who inspect boats entering and leaving the lake at the public ramp found and removed an invasive water chestnut on 2 occassions from a boat/trailer prior to launching the boat into the lake. Thanks to our volunteer weed watching crew for keeping an eye out and letting us know whenever they spotted a suspicious plant.

2020 Weed Watcher Campaign

Weed watching on Lake Winnisquam resumed in June and was conducted monthly along the entire shoreline of the lake by over 30 volunteer weed watchers from all 5 towns bordering the lake.  WWN member Bill Esrich coordinated the weed watcher program for the 3rd year.  We’re happy to report that no new invasive species or new growths of variable milfoil were found this year.

2019 Weed Watcher Campaign

The 2019 weed watcher program kicked off on June 1st with another training session held by NHDES for both new and experienced weed watchers.  With the addition of new weed watchers this Summer we now have coverage for the entire shoreline of Lake Winnisquam.  All weed watchers began their surveys in June, and continued monthly through September.  No new invasive species or new growths of milfoil were found.

2018 Weed Watcher Campaign

The 2018 weed watcher program was a huge success.  WWN wants to thank all who participated in the program, and Bill Esrich for coordinating the program this past season.  We started the season with a training session in early June, and 33 volunteers patrolling 24 areas around the lake on a monthly basis. An additional 8 people volunteered mid-summer for the 2018-19 season.  The entire lake shoreline was patrolled at least once, and most areas were checked June through September.

There were five new areas of milfoil discovered by our weed watchers that were subsequently removed using diver-assisted harvesting :

• Durgin Brook

• 2 locations along Stoney Brook Road

• Leighton Ave

• Chapman Brook

We also want to thank Amy Smagula, Program Coordinator at NHDES,  for the many weed identifications and the quick responses to all of our inquiries.  The program was a tremendous success.  Without it, the new areas of growth could have continued to spread unmanaged.