Milfoil found at mouth of Upper Truckee River

Eurasian watermilfoil has been found in the Upper Truckee River near its outlet to Lake Tahoe.

The 1- to 2-foot wide by 50 yard infestation was discovered by an Eyes on the Lake volunteer. Eyes on the Lake is a collaborative effort of the Lake Tahoe Invasive Species Program.

According to the League to Save Lake Tahoe, “The infestation originates from a pipe that drains from the entrance road to the Tahoe Keys Marina. A piece of milfoil may have been rinsed from a boat and washed down the pipe or inadvertently introduced from a kayaker or rafter floating the river, where it lodged in the river bank and began to grow. Nutrient-rich stormwater running off the roads likely fed the invasive weed allowing it to flourish and spread more quickly.”

Volunteers organized by the League plan to remove the infestation this month.