The lily patch at the north end of Seeley Lake looked a lot less dense following the removal of more than 875 pounds of invasive lilies at the third annual Make the Cut Invasive Waterlily Removal Event July 23.
Clearwater Resource Council Executive Director Caryn Miske (right) presenting couple Chuck (left) and Heidi Uselmann with their $100 prize for collecting the most lilies. Heidi Sedivy (middle right) worked with the Uselmanns to dig up 35 pounds of invasive waterlily roots on the Canoe Trail.
A young participant brings in an invasive waterlily flower.
Roots of the invasive fragrant waterlily are rhizomatous. If they are pulled, parts of the roots can float away and establish a new patch down stream.
SEELEY LAKE – While it takes a semi-trained eye, the mat of waterlilies at the north end of Seeley Lake received a significant thinning Saturday, July 23 during the third annual "Make the Cut Invasive Waterlily Event" hosted by Clearwater Resource Council. Of the nearly 30 participants, a total of 877 pounds of invasive water lilies were removed, topping last year's record of 850 pounds.
"I like how gratifying it is to see a native leaf all by itself in the water," said volunteer Heidi Sedivy. "To go back and see all the native lilies that aren't being choked out anymore makes it even more rewarding. It is so nice."
Initially CRC was going to start volunteers at the north end of the Canoe Trail. However, CRC Executive Director Caryn Miske said, unlike last year, the invasive waterlilies were not up yet. They adjusted and based at the south end of the Canoe Trail where volunteers focused on the patches of invasive and native waterlily mix at the Canoe Trail outlet and the north end of Seeley Lake.
Couple Heidi and Chuck Uselmann joined with Candy Bell and Carrie Darrah, all from Seeley Lake, and swept this year's competition. Affectionately named "The Candy Team," they brought in 22 bags, totaling 397 pounds of waterlilies including 35 pounds of roots.
Chuck said they are advocates for wildlife conservation and clean water.
"We like to use the canoe trail and the lake so we want to take care of it," Heidi said.
The Uselmanns said they learned the difference between the invasive and native lilies. The easiest visual cues are the invasive waterlilies have a white flower, round leaf and red stem. The native waterlily has a yellow flower, heart-shaped leaf and a green stem.
"It makes it easy to identify them once you know that," Heidi said.
Chuck added he learned to cut the stem instead of pulling up by the root. If the entire root is not removed, they can still spread through rhizomes.
Since the Candy team was so efficient, Sedivy recruited the Uselmanns to help dig out an invasive patch farther up the Canoe Trail. She and Chuck followed the stem down to the root and dug out the entire root. Heidi was in a kayak to ensure none of the root parts floated down stream. While they removed 35 pounds of roots, Sedivy estimated it would take four people an afternoon to dig out the rest of the patch.
"It was a great day to be out here and do this and what a nice surprise," Heidi said appreciating the $100 first-place prize.
While many participants brought their own watercraft, Heritage Outdoors also donated the use of four kayaks and four paddleboards. Many other businesses donated drink coins, gift certificates and cash as prizes.
Miske really appreciated the support from the business community and individuals. She said this was the first year people were asking her when the event was happening and how they could contribute.
"I really want to thank our sponsors. They make all of this possible," Miske said. "It was really great that people came out. Hopefully the message is getting out there - not just that we have a problem but how we deal with that problem. Hopefully people are not continuing to pull their lilies [instead of cutting or digging all the roots] and making their problem worse."
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