Organized by the Steenburg Lake Community Association.

We invite all property owners on Steenburg Lake to help us identify where Eurasian Water-Milfoil (EWM) exists in the lake, and any other invasive species such as zebra mussels and banded mystery snails – both of which have been identified in the lake previously.

Eurasian Water-Milfoil (EWM) , an invasive species, is spreading in Steenburg Lake.  If left unchecked, EWM has the potential to choke out native water plants and pose a risk to boaters and swimmers.

Here’s how you can help:

1. Survey your shoreline out to about 3m deep

2. Collect and photograph a sample of any plant that might be EWM

3. Collect and photograph samples of any mussels and snails

4. Upload those photos, along with the GPS coordinates of where they were taken, to EDDMapS.

EDDMapS, or the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System, is a web-based mapping system for documenting invasive species distribution in Canada. Reports go directly to experts in the field, who will review all reports and verify that the reported species is correctly identified before it gets added to a distribution map: you might even get an email asking for additional photos to help confirm.

Submit your photos using one of the following:

• EDDMapS app on iPhone (download from the APP store https://apps.apple.com/us/app/eddmaps/id1497390237)

• EDDMapS app Android (download at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bugwood.eddmapsone&hl=en_US&gl=US&pli=1)

• EDDMapS Online: https://www.eddmaps.org/report/

• Step by step instructions for EDDMapS: https://www.eddmaps.org/about/step_by_step.html

• NOTE: There are many sections to fill out, however, this is not always possible. The most important thing is to get good photos and note your location. Once those have been uploaded to EDDMapS they will be triaged and checked by an expert who will determine if the ID is correct, therefore all reporting is good whether you are confident in your identification or not. Here is a link to what happens once you’ve submitted a report: https://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/isc-blog-post-what-happens-when-you-report/