Knee Deep Club to be Honored

Weeds can disrupt the aesthetic integrity of the common garden, but they can also destroy entire ecosystems.

The water chestnut, an invasive species that inhabits waterways across the country, "can completely alter biological characteristics of habitats," according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Strategic Management Plan for Invasive Species.

The Knee Deep Club announced at its general meeting Friday that the group would receive a letter of recognition on Monday from the Lake Hopatcong Commission for its efforts to eradicate the plant's presence.

Lake Hopatcong escaped the growth of the leafy villain in June thanks to the efforts of the Water Scouts, a group of approximately 70 individuals who surveyed the 45 miles of shoreline for signs of the floating plant. The project was initiated by Tim Clancy, director and former president of the Knee Deep Club, after he saw the effects of the plant on Lake Musconetcong last October. Though the plant had only been introduced for three or four years, it covers 20 percent of the lake's surface, Clancy said.

For 10 days, volunteers from the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club, the Garden State Yacht Club, the Antique and Classic Boats Society (LHACBS), the Lake Hopatcong Commission, Homestead Beach Assoc., KDC and concerned individuals searched in kayaks for the distinct, jagged rosettes floating on the surface.  

"We were able to get the community together…I'm really proud," Clancy said. "We had a really enthusiastic response."

Approximately 60 plants were discovered and removed from Landing Channel. Clancy said each water chestnut plant consists from 15 to 20  "saw-toothed" rosettes, each capable of dropping up to 20 seeds. The scouts removed the plants before they became viable, successfully preventing more than 15,000 seeds to settle in the lake. 

 "It was a great effort, we won so far, and we'll do it again next year," said Les Aughey, KDC president.

Clancy said his next step is to educate other lake areas about the dangers of the species and help groups implement a similar program to the Water Scouts. Clancy's program was the first of its kind in the state, he said.

"We didn't know what we were doing, but we had the concern," he said.

Protection of the lake from water chestnut weeds is a continuous process. Next summer the group will orchestrate a similar search, but will focus on the more remote areas of the lake, to prevent the destruction of wildlife.

"Unfortunately the problem never goes away. You have to keep checking," he said.

Residents who spot water chestnut plants are encouraged to call the Lake Hopatcong Commission at (973)-601-1070 or email Clancy at tim.clancy@verizon.net.

The Knee Deep Club meets the second Friday of every month from March to October, at 8 p.m. in the Civic Center. The club will be holding its Catfish Derby from Saturday at 6 p.m. to noon on Sunday. The contest follows a recent deposit of Walleye, Tiger Muskies, True Strain Muskies and Channel Catfish from the Hackettstown State Fish Hachery. For more information, visit www.kneedeepclub.org.