Invasive and Rare Species
Blue Earth River Watershed
Aquatic Invasive Species
Curly-leaf pondweed
Purple loosestrife
Zebra mussels (Outside watershed)
Eurasian watermilfoil (Outside watershed)
Curly-leaf pondweed
Many of the lakes within the watershed have documented curly-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) infestations. Curly-leaf pondweed has been present in the region for ~50 years, far prior to any invasive species control/prevention efforts. Cleaning vegetation off of boats and water-related equipment helps to ensure that curly-leaf pondweed does not spread to the remaining lakes in the watershed, and also helps to prevent the spread of any new aquatic invasive plants in to the area.
Purple loosestrife
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria; Lythrum virgatum; and hybrids) has been observed in isolated locations in the watershed. The observations from the purple loosestrife database are generally 10-20 years old, and therefore some caution should be used when using the locations. It is possible that the purple loosestrife locations may have decreased or disappeared from some points, or the extent of the infestation may have expanded. Small-scale purple loosestrife stands can be controlled via hand-removal, and larger infestations can be controlled by beetle release or herbicides.
Zebra mussels (Outside watershed)
The highest aquatic invasive species concerns come from outside of the Blue Earth River watershed. To the north, the Minnesota River was designated as infested for zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) in 2017. South of the watershed, the Iowa Great Lakes (i.e. Big Spirit Lake, East and West Okoboji Lakes, Upper and Lower Gar Lakes, and Lake Minnewashta) have been designated as infested for zebra mussels for several years.
Zebra mussels are primarily spread by movement of attached adults to equipment and by juveniles in water. Draining all water from boats and other water-related equipment before leaving public accesses will prevent the spread of juvenile zebra mussels to new lakes or rivers. Waiting at least 21 days or over winter before placing used equipment into a new lake or river will ensure that no zebra mussels are alive when transported to another lake.
Eurasian watermilfoil (Outside watershed)
There are a limited number of lakes with known Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) infestations to the north of the watershed, specifically Lura Lake (Blue Earth County), the Jefferson-German chain of lakes (Le Sueur County), and Madison and Ballantyne lakes (Blue Earth County).
Eurasian watermilfoil is primarily spread via plant fragments (i.e. two inches or larger) moved by humans. Cleaning vegetation off of boats and other water-related equipment will prevent the Eurasian watermilfoil from being moved from infested lakes.
State Endangered Species
Eared false foxglove
Burrowing Owl
Loggerhead Shrike
Caddisfly
King Rail
Rusty-patched Bumble Bee
Eared false foxglove
The Eared false foxglove (Agalinis auriculata) is a Terrestrial Plant typically found in wet meadows and prairies.
Burrowing Owl
The Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) is a bird that is typically found in open pastures; Prairies; Areas w/ American badger and Richardson's ground squirrel.
Loggerhead Shrike
The Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) is a bird that is typically found in upland grasslands--both high and low quality.
Caddisfly
The Caddisfly (Limnephilus secludens) is an insect that is typically found in aquatic habitats like small ponds, streams, lakes, and rivers.
King Rail
The King Rail (Rallus elegans) is a bird that is typically found in shallow freshwater, brackish, or saltwater marshes.
Rusty-patched Bumble Bee
The Rusty-patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis) is a federally endangered insect that’s typically found in tall grass prairies and grasslands.