State DEC, volunteers pull water chestnuts from Massapequa Lake
<p>The state Department of Environmental Conservation and volunteers were at Massapequa Lake Thursday to help rid the water of water chestnuts – an invasive weed that has taken over the body of water.</p>
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Jul 13, 2017, 10:14 PM
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Updated 2,718 days ago
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The state Department of Environmental Conservation and volunteers were at Massapequa Lake Thursday to help rid the water of water chestnuts – an invasive weed that has taken over the body of water.
Aquatic biologist Heidi O'Riordan from the DEC says the water chestnut is an environmental and health concern. She says the weed keeps water from moving, which helps to attract mosquitoes.
Officials believe the water chestnut was introduced to the lake by someone dumping out an aquarium or pond.
Janet Nix, of Massapequa, has lived on the lake for much of her life. She says it's important that it is protected.
"You just hate to see this lake become so impassible and fill up with muck and possibly dry out, which was our main concern."
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