News Release

cattail removal to continue in voyageurs national park summer 2024

Date: July 12, 2024
Contact: Mark Miller, 218-283-6670
Contact: Haley Smith

"Swamp Devil" machine doing its thing

NPS Photo

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN: Voyageurs National Park staff and contractors will resume work removing areas of invasive, hybrid cattail in wetlands within Voyageurs National Park from July through October of 2024. Activities include grinding up mats of floating cattails with a specialized cutting machine and removing the debris using a harvesting barge. Debris will be deposited on shore where it will be spread and decay naturally. Some areas of treated wetlands will also be re-seeded with a native aquatic plant mix.

Hybrid cattails have invaded approximately 500-acres of wetlands in Voyageurs, outcompeting important native and diverse plant communities. This long-term project will improve habitat for wildlife, provide enhanced opportunities for fishing, and help restore wetlands to more diverse, natural states. More information on the project can be found at: https://go.nps.gov/voya/wetlands

Initial work will begin treating problematic floating mats in the Gold Portage area of Black Bay. Once completed, efforts will shift to Irwin Bay on Kabetogama Lake. Other locations may be added.

Removal operations will only occur during daylight hours. Noise will be generated by the specialized grinding machine. Treatment areas will be blocked off with booms to avoid floating debris from spreading to other portions of the lakes during contract work. Park visitors are reminded to not attempt to use boats or watercraft in recently treated wetlands to avoid getting stuck or damage motors as these areas are naturally shallow, mucky, and will contain remnant cattail debris. Follow-up removals will be repeated this summer as necessary to remove any debris.

The Voyageurs Wetland Restoration Project is funded by a variety of organizations including the Outdoor Heritage Fund as part of the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment, Minnesota Environment and Natural Resource Trust Fund, The Voyageurs Conservancy, The National Park Foundation, Clean Air Act Settlement Fund, and the National Park Service.  

www.nps.gov