Invasive Species: Water Chestnut

If you live in the Hudson Valley and have been walking on the shores of the Hudson River, or areas around the Hudson you have noticed the Water Chestnut. Not to be confused with the Water Chestnut you buy can in the store, the Water Chestnut (also known as the Devils head) is an invasive species that have been introduced to waters in our area from Asia back in the 1800s and into the Hudson River in the early 1900s.

These Water Chestnuts have no natural predators in our area and does not offer much nutritional value to fish and water fowl, so they grow uncontrollably. Once this invasive plant is introduced to a water body, it will slowly cover waters up to 6 feet deep. It will grow so heavy and thick that it will choke off all natural vegetation. It also inhibits the dissolved oxygen in the waters which will also displace fish. If you try to take a boat through this dense vegetation, you will find yourself struggling if not just plan stuck.

It can be tempting to pick up one of the seeds and take it with you, but do not! Help stop the spread of this invasive plant! To learn more about the Water Chestnut, watch this video below from youtube user: CRISPvide0

Last Updated on December 19, 2020 by Fish HV Contributors