The Rancocas Creek is home for many kayakers, jet skiers and boaters, to say the least. However, with the increase in activity and usage recently, the creek can become home for aquatic invasive species if residents don’t properly take care of it.
Local resident John Anderson wants to spread the word of the dangers of spreading invasive species, as well as the steps people should take to ensure the health of the Rancocas Creek.
“The Rancocas Creek has been seeing an increase in usage,” said Anderson. “Whether it’s kayaking, jet skiing or boating, there’s been a lot of uses for it. I want people to know that when they use their boats or jet skis in other water, they need to make sure they wash their boats before they come back into this creek or another body of water.
“When you take a jet ski or boat from one body to another without washing them, you can cross-contaminate the water,” Anderson continued. “We don’t need that in the Rancocas Creek. When you cross-contaminate water, you can unknowingly bring invasive species into water they’re not supposed to be in.”
According to Anderson, a simple way to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species and to keep the creek healthy is to simply just wash your boat or any equipment that has come in contact with another body of water. This includes shoes, life vests, waders, etc. Anderson suggests using a stiff-bristled brush to remove plants, including algae.
“What we don’t want is to have an invasive species or vegetation that doesn’t belong in the Rancocas Creek,” said Anderson. “I really want to enhance awareness and get people to say, ‘hey, treat the waterway with respect.’
“If you look at the main stem from Mt. Holly down, you’re talking about a lot of people that use it,” Anderson continued. “Let’s increase awareness of pollution and let’s get people to understand how they can and are directly impacting the creek. Let’s reduce any pollution the best way we can.”
Those looking for more information about how to properly wash their equipment or the dangers of cross-contamination can go to RCNWT.com or the state Department of Environmental Protection’s website. Residents can also contact Anderson on social media where he has been answering questions about the safety of the Rancocas Creek.
“Let’s ramp up awareness,” said Anderson. “People have recognized that the creek is being used by a lot of people so it’s been a common ground on preventing any issues before it’s a big issue. You know it’s really about the small microbes and the algae that attach to the bottom of the boat.
“We have been monitoring it on social media,” Anderson continued. ”It’s not the end of the world, but it’s something we have agreed on to protect and enjoy the creek. There hasn’t been any negative comments, which is kind of unique. We’re starting the conversation. It’s something that is going to be independent. People are going to have to take responsibility to clean their boats before they put it back in the creek.”
