HEUVELTON -- Volunteers are needed to assist a removal effort of an invasive plant called water chestnut (Trapa natans) on the Oswegatchie River in the Village of Heuvelton, on Monday, Aug. 5 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

There will be a guided paddle to manually collect sparse populations of water chestnut on the River between the Village of Heuvelton Boat Launch and the Eel Weir State Park.

The event was originally scheduled for July 25 but postponed due to high water levels and forecasted thunder storms.

This is a great opportunity for community members to spend some time on the water and help protect the Oswegatchie River, said organizers.

Water chestnut is an invasive aquatic species that has environmental and economic impacts.  They grow thick dense floating mats that shade out native aquatic vegetation, impede outdoor recreation, and reduce shoreline property values; the hard, pointy seeds of water chestnuts can puncture vehicle tires or injure feet if stepped on. If not managed, the infestation of water chestnuts on the Oswegatchie River can grow and easily spread to connecting waterbodies, like Black Lake.

Those interested in volunteering for this effort need to register as important information will be emailed and a launch site assigned. A link to the registration form can be found at, https://bit.ly/waterchestnutremoval or on the SLELO PRISM website and Facebook event pages. Contact the SLELO PRISM E/O Coordinator at 315-522-1258 with any questions.

This event is supported by SLELO PRISM, The Black Lake Association, NYS Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation, NYS DEC, Indian River Lakes Conservancy, Save The River, Thousand Island Land Trust, the Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County, the Village of Heuvelton Fire Department, the City of Ogdensburg Fire & Rescue, Brookfield Energy, the town of Morristown, the Chippewa Bay Fish and Game Club, St. Lawrence Waterfowlers, St. Lawrence Valley Sportsman Club, St. Lawrence Federal Credit Union, Comprehensive Weed Control of Northern New York, and many volunteers.