Yards and gardens aren’t the only places that require weeding. Local ponds, marshes and rivers also are at risk of becoming overrun by weeds, and the aquatic kind are every bit as tough to eradicate as the terrestrial types. Pulling weeds by boat has got to be more fun than picking them out of the ground, though, right?

The Nashua River Watershed Association and Nashoba Paddler boat rental shop have organized a water chestnut plucking drive on Aug. 17 to support efforts to eradicate the Asian water chestnut from the Pepperell Pond stretch of the Nashua River.

Alas, the invasive weed does is not the same chestnut as those crunchy delicacies served up in stiry fry.

Advance registration is requested; call Nashoba Paddler at 978-448-8699 to sign up.  The shop can provide boats and life jackets, or volunteers are welcome to bring their own. The official press release has all the details:

On Sunday, August 17th from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, volunteers are invited to help scout and pull water chestnuts, an invasive exotic weed, from the Pepperell Pond section of the Nashua River. A limited number of canoes will be provided by Nashoba Paddler. Gathering baskets and maps will be provided by additional partners: the Groton Greenway Committee, the Nashua River Watershed Association, and Ducks Unlimited. Volunteers should wear old clothes, bring gloves, sunscreen, water to drink, and bug spray. Put-in will be at Nashoba Stables, 120 River Road in Pepperell.

Water chestnut is an exotic (non-native), invasive species that has spread over 45 acres of slow moving sections of the Pepperell Pond area of the Nashua River. The plant produces a dense mat clogging the top of the river making navigation virtually impossible.  It produces a dark brown nut (chestnut) about the size of a ping pong ball that has sharp spikes strong enough to penetrate boots.

Last year the Town of Pepperell was awarded a grant by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the mechanical removal of water chestnuts from the Nashua River. The Nashua River Watershed Association was contracted by the town to coordinate the plant removal, and Aquatic Control Technology, Inc. was hired to mechanically harvest the weeds. Harvesting began on July 22nd and will continue for several weeks until most of the plants have been removed.  However, mechanical harvesters cannot get to all areas the plant grows due to shallow waters, so hand pulling from canoes and kayaks is key to the complete removal of the plant each season. The ultimate removal of water chestnuts from the Nashua River will require three or four years of mechanical harvesting complemented by alert volunteers to continue to scout and hand pull new invasives.

Many, many volunteers are needed!  Nashoba Paddler has a limited number of canoes, paddles, and personal flotation devices that they will provide free.  Volunteers may bring their own canoes and equipment, but will be asked to sign an insurance waiver by Nashoba Paddler.  Aquatic Control Technology, Inc. has offered the use of a boat and operator to help with the volunteer effort.  Ducks Unlimited, the Groton Greenway Committee, and the Nashua River Watershed Association will all have members available to help.

To participate, you must register in advance.  Please register with Nashoba Paddler by phone only at:  978-448-8699.