HOUGHTON, Mich. (WLUC) – On Sunday, boaters entering the Houghton County Marina received free washes to prevent invasive species from entering the water.
The Keweenaw Invasive Species Management Area of Michigan Technological University set up a wash station this weekend to educate boaters.
“They don’t really know what the impact is, or they see something happening but don’t know exactly what we’re talking about,” said MTU student Elam Maurer. “That’s why we’re here to make sure they know about it.”
He says invasive species stick to engines and only a small section grows back. They will sweep invasive species into a collection bin and dispose of it properly.
“Our motto is clean, drain, dry,” Maurer said. “So it’s really important for us to clean because we don’t want to take sewage from one lake to another. So it’s about just being vigilant.”
He says boaters can wipe down their boats with a pressure washer or any cloth, but the most important thing is to dry the boat completely. Without that moisture, the water hitchhikers can’t do much.
MTU student Olivia Hohnholt says invasive species are coming up the Keweenaw Waterway and are inevitable, but her goal is to prioritize land that has not yet been affected.
“We’re pretty isolated, so we don’t have as many invasive species as other people. So it’s a lot easier for us to get the job done now than it is, say, somewhere in the south of the state,” Hohnholt said.
In their view, when invasive species spread, biodiversity in the environment is lost because they may not be eaten by our native species.
“It helps protect this area for our cultural heritage and also for tourism. People can see something that is somehow untouched and learn what the goal is to restore the place they come from,” Hohnholt said.
They will collect data and identify additional boat washing locations for the future.
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