Many of us value a clean shoreline and open water for swimming and boating. But an interesting recent MPR News article explains why removing too much aquatic vegetation can actually harm the lakes we are trying to protect.
Native aquatic plants are an important part of a healthy lake. They help keep water clear by stabilizing bottom sediments and absorbing nutrients that can contribute to algae blooms. They also provide habitat for fish and other aquatic life, reduce shoreline erosion, and can help limit the spread of invasive species.
The article reports on research comparing Minnesota lake surveys conducted today with surveys from the 1920s and 1930s. More than half of the lakes studied had lost at least one plant species that had once been common.
For lakeshore owners, the message is worth considering: aquatic plants aren’t necessarily weeds that should be removed. The vegetation along our shorelines and in shallow water is part of the natural system that keeps our lake healthy. Indeed, removing native plants may actually make things worse in the long run.
Please take a few minutes to read the article:
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/09/14/many-minnesotans-dont-value-aquatic-plants-the-states-lakes-are-paying-a-price
David Geddes - ILA Aquatic Invasive Species Committee Chair
