Elodea is an underwater perennial plant that sometimes forms tangled masses in lakes, ponds, and ditches with long, trailing stems and green, somewhat translucent leaves. Elodea primarily reproduces by stem fragmentation and rarely by seed. Broken plant fragments can root to form new plants. Elodea prefers cool, clear, slow waters with silty bottoms. It is a hardy perennial that does not fully die back and can survive harsh winters under ice.

Elodea can:
• •Form new plants from broken segments.


• •Survive when frozen in ice and travel long distances downstream.

Identifying Characteristics:

Individual plants can vary, depending on growing conditions; some are bushy and robust, others look stringier with weak stems and few leaves. Long, trailing stems can be seen in tangled masses when elodea is well established. Individual plant fragments can also be seen floating on the water's surface.


• • Leaves in whorls of 3 or occasionally 4.


• • Leaves are 1/4-1/2" long & 1/8" wide.


• • Stem is a lighter green than the leaves and grow in a tangled mass.

Elodea is not native to Alaska, and it is the first invasive freshwater aquatic plant known here. It has the potential to impact freshwater resources and fish habitat statewide.

• • Degrades fish habitat and displaces native flora and fauna.


• • Makes boat travel difficult and reduces recreation opportunities.


• • Fouls float plane rudders.


• • Alters freshwater habitats by decreasing flow & increasing sedimentation.


• • Reduces value of waterfront property and may financially impact businesses associated with water related activities.

Elodea can form dense mats as seen here in 2013 in Sand Lake.

Though first documented in 1982 in Eyak Lake, Cordova, land managers did not take notice of this plant until 2010, when it was found growing aggressively in Chena Slough near Fairbanks. Since 2010, elodea has been found in four regions of the state (see map below) and additional surveys are on-going. Elodea can spread to new locations and waterbodies through tiny plant fragments carried by float planes, boats, trailers, aquariums, and other equipment.

Known Elodea Infestations

Interior

Chena Lake

Chena Slough

Chena River

Totchaket Slough

Bathing Beauty Pond

Birch Lake

Manley Slough

Harding Lake

Chisolm Lake

Eielson AFB

Moose Lake

Polaris Lake

Pike Lake

Hidden Lake

Scout Lake

Grayling Lake

28-mile pond

Mullins Pit

South Central

Alexander Lake

Sucker Lake

Jewel Lake

Little Survival Creek

Big Lake

Kenai Peninsula

Sandpiper Lake

Copper River Delta

Eyak Lake

Alaganik Slough

McKinley Lake

Martin Lakes

Eyak River

Bering Lake

Wooded Pond

Wrong Way Pond

Previously Infested Waters

South Central

Lake Hood

Little Campbell Lake

Sand Lake

Delong Lake

Kenai Peninsula

Stormy Lake

Sports Lake

Daniels Lake

Beck Lake

Hilda Lake

Seppu Lake

Elodea Around the World

Elodea has a long history as an invasive plant. It was introduced to Great Britain over a century ago, and has since spread to Scandinavia and across Russia to Lake Baikal.

Whether you are boating, fishing, flying or recreating, there are steps you can take to help prevent the spread of elodea. See our resources tab for more information.

CLEAN - Remove all visible mud, plants, fish/animals from equipment.

DRAIN - Eliminate water from all equipment before transporting.
              Much of the recreational equipment we use can collect water
              and harbor hitchhikers.

    DRY - Clean and dry anything that came in contact with water. Use hot (140ºF) or
              salt water if possible, allow 5 days to dry before entering new waters.

• Never release plants, water, fish or animals into a body of water unless they
   came from that water body.
• Aquarium plants and animals may be able to survive in our Alaskan waters!
• Dispose of aquariums responsibly, not by dumping them into waterways.

If you find elodea:
• • Note its location: GPS coordinates and/or a mark on a map with a descritpion of the site.


• • Note its habitat: Did you find it in a river or lake? How deep was the water? Was the water clear or slightly muddy?


• • Take a specimen: At a minimum, take a photo. Take as much of the entire plant as you can, including the flower, if present. Put it in a zip-lock bag and store it in a cool place. If you don't have a bag, press it in a book or inside wax paper and keep it somewhere safe so it doesn't break apart. Aquatic plants dry quickly.


• • Report it: Call the Invasive Species hotline below to report it!

Elodea Identification and Reporting

Elodea Information for Floatplane Lakes

Stop Aquatic Hitchikers-Float Plane Pilots

Stop Aquatic Hitchikers-Aquarium Owners

Stop Aquatic Hitchikers-Boaters

Stop Aquatic Hitchikers-Anglers

Introduction to Common Native & Invasive Freshwater Plants in Alaska