NORWOOD – The beginnings of a potentially destructive species invasion have been detected in Norwood Lake.

Frances McNierney, on a St. Lawrence University fellowship this summer surveying lakes in the area for invasive aquatic plants, reported to Mayor and Norwood Lake Association President Jim McFaddin that her study had “revealed a possible future problem for Norwood Lake as the presence of milfoil was found,” McFaddin said.

“I’m told this can cause serious problems,” McFaddin said. “We’re trying to be proactive, not alarmist,” he said. “We feel it has to be addressed.”

Eurasian watermilfoil propagates itself with runners or by fragmentation, with bits of plant breaking off and establishing themselves elsewhere on the bottom.

It is destructive to native plants by taking up space and blocking sunlight from native species. It can also disrupt the behavior of native aquatic animal species with its density. Its density can also cause problems for boats and things such as municipal water intakes.

It can be spread by boats that pick up some in one water body and, when taken to another water body, deposit them there.

“The floating fragments may not cause a immediate problem but will be addressed by Norwood Lake Association members. We are requesting anyone who uses the Norwood Lake boat launch to ensure their boats are clean via inspection and washing if necessary. Lake residents should also check their boats. Signs will be posted on dock at Norwood launch to request cooperation, so we may ensure good water quality in the lake,” he said.

McNierney told McFaddin that eradication would be easier at this stage rather than later when it could establish itself on the lake bottom, since all she has found so far is floating fragments of milfoil.

“Encouraging people to keep an eye out and surveying is the best way to do this, so that if a population does become established it can be addressed early and rapidly, which greatly increases the chances that it can be eradicated,” McNierney said.

While they are making an initial effort to stem milfoil’s establishment, “Norwood Lake Association members are discussing how and to what extent we should combat the milfoil issue in Norwood Lake,” McFaddin said.