Lake Host thwarts aquatic invasive species from entering Winnisquam

LACONIA — Lake Host Deb Williams had a big save Aug. 15, during a boat inspection, thwarting a zebra mussel and plant fragments from hitch-hiking a boat ride into Lake Winnisquam. For her and Winnisquam Watershed Network, it’s just another day protecting the lake from aquatic invasive species.

“The zebra mussel is probably the biggest save we have had,” said Sara Steiner, executive director of WWN. “We’re doing our part to save the lake.”

Each year since 2020, WWN’s Lake Host program greets and inspects over 3,000 boats and trailers entering Winnisquam, performing voluntary inspections to ensure no invasive species are entering or exiting the lake. They look for pesky species like zebra mussels, Chinese mystery snails, milfoil and water chestnuts.

Zebra mussels deplete food sources for native species, endangering the waterbody’s ecosystem. Similar to other invasive species, they’re damaging to the lake’s overall health.

This year, staff and volunteers examined 4,100 boats from mid-May through now, a major increase from 2024’s season.

“It’s a program we’re invested in,” Steiner said about the Lake Host initiative. “I think the zebra mussels and water chestnut saves just show why it’s so important.”

A month ago, Williams was completing another average boat inspection at the Winnisquam boat ramp on Water Street when she found a latched zebra mussel hiding between the trailer and the boat of a visitor coming from Lake Champlain.

She logged it on her Lake Host Program Suspicious Specimen Photo Submission document, and properly disposed of the mussel.

Posting on Facebook, the organization wrote, “Score another save for our incredible Lake Hosts! During an inspection last week, they discovered a zebra mussel shell and plant fragments on a boat arriving from Lake Champlain. Thanks to their vigilance, Lake Winnisquam is better protected from aquatic invasive species.”

“Deb Williams has been our go-to person for the past three years,” Steiner said about staffing the Lake Host position. “Her knowledge and time to inspect the boats and trailers is something that has paid off for us greatly.”

WWN’s Lake Host program is funded in part by NH Lakes, who helps provide a grant for training and payroll. WWN funds the remainder of the position.

“We also receive donations from municipalities around the lake and that, in general, is to support our invasive species management program,” Steiner said.

In addition to the Lake Host program, WWN also provides the Weed Watcher Program, which draws on volunteers from around the lake who periodically patrol the shoreline and near-shore areas in their location to look for any new, potentially invasive species of plants or animals.

The organization is always seeking volunteers for any of their programs.

“I would say to contact the WWN and then we can put them in touch with NH Lakes to be trained to be a Lake Host and be on our roster for Winnisquam,” Steiner said.

While it might seem like an inconvenience to some boaters, these voluntary inspections are saving the lake in real time.

“The important thing is we had a pretty significant save. That number continues to climb with how many boats we’re inspecting each year,” Steiner said. “It’s a valuable program for our lake, and lakes around New Hampshire”.

For more information, visit winnisquamwatershed.org/lake-host.