Lake Water Quality – Undesirable Aquatic Organisms

Fortunately, at present, Lake Springfield is relatively free of undesirable aquatic organisms. One way you can help preserve our healthy lake ecosystem is to never stock exotic species or dump unused fish bait into the reservoir.

The zebra mussel, a small exotic clam that is found in the Illinois River and other bodies of water, has, so far, not made its way into Lake Springfield. This mussel is problematic for boat motors, plant intake structures, and native mussel populations. The most likely means by which the zebra mussel would enter Lake Springfield would by in the bilge water of boats and attached to boats, boat trailers and bait buckets that were previously used in infected waters. When traveling between waterways, please take care to decontaminate your equipment prior to entering Lake Springfield.

Lake Springfield has a host of native aquatic plants, such as algae, duckweed, American lotus (lily pads), cattails, and creeping water primrose, which provide habitat and food for many animals. Gardening catalogs and garden centers offer many kinds of water lilies and other exotic plants. One in particular is the attractive purple loosestrife which is invading and causing environmental havoc in many wetland areas north of Springfield. Never stock or plant any exotic plants into Lake Springfield or any other natural areas.

To read about other lake water quality issues, select one of the links below.