Lake Monsters of the Cobbossee Watershed

When most people think of “lake monsters,” they imagine mythical creatures like Nessie of Loch Ness. But here in Central Maine, our lakes face very real monsters — and they come in the form of invasive aquatic plants.

These “Lake Monsters of the Cobbossee Watershed” may not have scales or claws, but they’re just as dangerous to our waters, our boats, and our way of life.

Meet the Monsters

🟢 Eurasian Watermilfoil

Where it’s from: Europe and Asia.
Where it lurks: Cobbossee Lake, Cobbossee Stream.
Why it’s a problem: This plant grows at lightning speed, forming thick mats that choke out native species, tangle fishing lines, and make swimming unpleasant.
Fun fact: A single piece the size of a fingernail can grow into a whole new infestation!

🟢 Variable Watermilfoil

Where it’s from: Native to parts of North America but not common here.
Where it lurks: Annabessacook Lake, Cobbossee Lake, Cobbossee Stream, Pleasant Pond, Horseshoe Pond, Jug Stream.
Why it’s a problem: It forms dense jungles underwater, making it tough for fish to move and smothering healthier plants.
Fun fact: It’s known as a “look-alike troublemaker” because it’s nearly impossible to tell apart from its cousins.

🟢 European Frogbit

Where it’s from: Europe and Asia.
Where it lurks: Cobbossee Lake, Cobbossee Stream, Horseshoe Pond, Jug Stream.
Why it’s a problem: This floating plant forms lily pad–like mats, blocking sunlight and reducing oxygen for fish and frogs.
Fun fact: Each tiny pad can make dozens of baby plants that float away like little rafts!

🟢 Swollen Bladderwort

Where it’s from: Swollen bladderwort is native to the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains of the southeastern United States, ranging from southern New Jersey to Florida and extending west to eastern Texas and southeastern Oklahoma
Where it lurks: Pleasant Pond.
Why it’s a problem: This plant forms floating clumps filled with “bladders” that crowd out other pond plants.
Fun fact: It’s actually carnivorous! The bladders act like vacuum traps, sucking in tiny insects and critters.

🟢 Water Chestnut

Where it’s from: Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Where it lurks: Jug Stream.
Why it’s a problem: Its spiky seeds are painful underfoot, and its rapid growth can turn open water into an impenetrable mat.
Fun fact: The seeds can lie dormant in the mud for up to 12 years — waiting to sprout like buried time bombs.

The Real Heroes: Watershed Friends

Lake Monsters of the Cobbossee Watershed

While the monsters sound scary, our community has defenders working hard to keep them in check. Friends of the Cobbossee Watershed, also known as Watershed Friends, is a local nonprofit that monitors, educates, and fights back against aquatic invasive species (AIS).

Through programs like courtesy boat inspections, youth education, and hands-on removal efforts, Watershed Friends is on the front line of protecting the lakes we all love. Supporting their work helps ensure our children and grandchildren can continue to enjoy clear, healthy, and monster-free waters.

How YOU Can Help: Clean, Drain, Dry

Lake Monsters of the Cobbossee Watershed

The biggest weapon we have against these monsters is prevention. That means following the Clean, Drain, Dry rule every time you move between lakes:

Clean your boat, trailer, paddles, fishing gear, and even your pets. Remove all plant fragments.
Drain water from live wells, bilges, and bait buckets.
Dry everything thoroughly before heading to another body of water.

It may seem simple, but these three steps are the difference between stopping a monster in its tracks or letting it spread to another lake.

Conclusion

The “Lake Monsters of the Cobbossee Watershed” may look cute in cartoons, but in reality, they pose a serious threat to our lakes and the communities that depend on them. With the help of groups like Watershed Friends — and everyday boaters like you — we can protect our waters from these invaders.

Together, we can keep Central Maine’s lakes healthy, beautiful, and free of monsters.