.png)
WATER SOLDIER
Although we do not have water soldier on Charleston Lake, in 2021, Red Horse Lake, an adjacent lake, does have water soldier. So we thought it was important to educate our members.
Water soldier is an invasive perennial aquatic plant that is native to Europe and northwest Asia. The only known wild populations in North America occur in Ontario, within the Trent Severn Waterway (near the Hamlet of Trent River, ON), and the Black River (near Sutton, ON). Prior to being regulated as a prohibited invasive species under Ontario’s invasive Species Act, water soldier was sold in Ontario for use as an ornamental plant in water gardens, the likely source of its introductions to Ontario.
What Ontario is Doing To prevent the further spread and introduction of this unwanted invader in the province, Ontario has regulated water soldier as a prohibited invasive species under the Invasive Species Act. For more information on the Invasive Species Act and Regulations visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/invasive-species-ontario
Impacts of Water Soldier
• Forms dense mats of floating vegetation.
• Crowds out native vegetation resulting in decreased plant biodiversity.
• Has the potential to alter surrounding water chemistry, which may harm phytoplankton and other aquatic organisms.
• Dense floating mats of water soldier can hinder recreational activities, such as boating, angling and swimming.
• Sharp serrated leaf edges can cut swimmers and individuals who handle water soldier plants. Caution should be taken whenever handling the plant.
Where is Water Soldier Found
Since the water soldier populations in Ontario are the only known wild occurrences in North America, it is very important to prevent the plant’s introduction and spread to new locations.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, with support from partners including the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Trent University, conservation authorities, and Parks Canada is monitoring and tracking the spread of water soldier within Ontario waterbodies and undertaking a variety of control measures to prevent its spread to new locations.
How to Identify Water Soldier
Water soldier is similar in appearance to an aloe plant, spider plant or the top of a pineapple. Water soldier may be confused with other aquatic plants in Ontario, such as native bur-reeds, arrowheads or eel-grass. However, none of these plants have serrated leaf edges, which can be used to easily distinguish water soldier from these other aquatic plants.
What Can I Do?
• Learn how to identify water soldier and how to prevent accidentally spreading the plant with your watercraft or fishing equipment. This is especially important if you are planning to do work or participate in recreational activities in infested areas of the Trent Severn Waterway or other areas that contain water soldier.
• Never buy or keep water soldier in your water garden or aquarium. It is against the law to import, possess, deposit, release, transport, breed/grow, buy, sell, lease or trade water soldier in Ontario.
• Avoid infested areas and reduce your speed when travelling near water soldier infestations. You must take all precautions to avoid spreading water soldier to new areas of a waterbody.
• Inspect your boat, trailer and equipment after each use. You must remove all water soldier, or parts of these plants and dispose of them in the garbage or away from any body of water before transporting your boat over land.
• Never deposit unwanted aquarium or water garden plants into Ontario lakes or rivers. Dispose of them in the garbage or away from any body of water.
• If you’ve seen water soldier or other invasive species in the wild, please contact the toll free Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711, or visit the EDDMapS Ontario website to report a sighting.
Invasive Aquatic Plant Reference Guide
Water Solider Info and Case Study