Aquatic Invasive Species

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are non-native species that out-compete native species for food and habitat. They often spread rapidly and can have negative ecological and economic impacts on aquatic habitats. The Soil and Water Conservation District implements Ramsey County’s AIS prevention program. Examples of AIS program initiatives include educational outreach, planning efforts, AIS monitoring and watercraft inspections. 

Preserving Lakes: Vigilance Against Invasive Crayfish

In a forward-looking initiative, RCSWCD (Ramsey County Soil and Water Conservation Division) forged a crucial partnership with the University of Minnesota in 2023 to tackle the growing threat of invasive rusty crayfish in Ramsey County lakes. Utilizing cutting-edge DNA detection techniques, the University played a pivotal role in confirming the presence of these invasive crayfish species. RCSWCD then verified the infestation in Lake McCarron through the examination of a live sample.

Beginning of tab section with 4 tabs. Left and right arrow keys will navigate between tab navigation links.

Impacts

Economic

AIS impose real costs on industries, consumers, and governments. Costs to individual companies and households include direct expenditures on combating an invasive species or repairing the damage it has done, and include indirect costs such as reduced productivity and higher prices in industries particularly affected by AIS. The industries most acutely affected by AIS include sport and commercial fishing, water treatment, power generation, industrial facilities using surface water, and tourism. 

Environmental

AIS damage wildlife and communities by permanently altering habitats, reducing production of fisheries, decreasing water availability to residential and commercial users, blocking transportation routes, choking irrigation canals, fouling industrial and public water supply pipelines, degrading water quality, and decreasing property values. Without controls (e.g., check and balances) in their new range, invasive species populations can increase dramatically in a short period of time.

Treatment methods

Slowing the spread of invasive species is a crucial part of keeping Minnesota's public parks functional and admirable to all. Examples of how Ramsey County SWCD is contributing to our goal of maintaining clean parks include mechanical, chemical, and biocontrol techniques. 

Mechanical

Many invasive species can be managed through mechanical (physical) removal. Examples of mechanical removal includes, digging up the plant and clipping seed heads. Effectiveness of mechanical removal varies between species.

Chemical

Chemical controls include the use of herbicide treatments to help manage invasive populations. Effectiveness of chemical controls varies between species. See MIPN Database for more information.

Biological

Biocontrol efforts include using natural enemies of a targeted pest to reduce their populations. This idea is implemented to target spotted knapweed in Ramsey County. Click below to learn more about biological control of spotted knapweed.

DNR Spotted Knapweed biocontrol

Invasive watch list

Ramsey County Terrestrial Invasive Watch List

Report invasive species

Learn more about reporting invasive species

Back to tab navigation. End of tab content.
Clean In, Clean Out graphic

Clean In, Clean Out

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) threaten the health of Minnesota's beloved lakes. It's important that we all do our part to prevent their spread to other lakes, rivers and streams. All it takes is a few minutes to ensure your equipment is clean before you put it in the water and when you take it out. Clean in, clean out.

Learn more about Clean In, Clean Out

About the RCSWCD

The Ramsey County Soil and Water Conservation Division conserves and enhances natural resources in Ramsey County by providing technical, financial, and educational support to residents, property owners, and state, local, and federal governmental agencies and environmental organizations. Our areas of focus include:

  • Groundwater protection and aquifer observation well (obwell) monitoring
  • Terrestrial and aquatic invasive species prevention and reduction
  • Erosion control
  • Watershed assessment  
  • Wetland Conservation