Task Force:

Hudson River Aquatic Invasive Species

The Hudson River is an expansive corridor that provides valuable habitat and migration pathways for native species across the Northeast US and beyond, as well as a myriad of ecosystem services for local communities. It has been well established that invasive species pose a key threat to the ecological and economic resources that the Hudson River provides.

The Hudson River Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force brings together federal, state, nonprofit, and community partners to coordinate invasive species prevention, monitoring, and control in this important watershed. At present, our geographic scope includes the Hudson River, its tributaries, and surrounding waters.

Emerging invasive plant and animal species are considered high priority for control and are best addressed with early detection and rapid response. This method is much more efficient and cost-effective than trying to control a widespread infestation. The table below display invasive species by ranking, morphology, and management methods:

Priority Species

The table(s) below show scientific names, Hudson River Tier Rank, New York Statewide Tier Rank (updated in 2024), and New York State regulatory status. Click here download the spreadsheet.

Common Name	Scientific name	Hudson River Tier Rank	NYS Tier Rank (2024)	Regulatory Status
Waterwheel plant	Aldrovanda vesiculosa	1a	M
Alligator-weed	Alternanthera philoxeroides	1b	1b
Flowering rush	Butomus umbellatus	2	4
Fanwort	Cabomba caroliniana	2	3	Prohibited
Swamp crop	Crassula helmsii	1c	1b
Brazilian elodea, Brazilian Waterweed	Egeria densa	2	3	Prohibited
Mudmat	Glossostigma cleistanthum	2
Reed Mannagrass	Glyceria maxima	1b	M	Prohibited
Featherfoil	Hottonia palustris	1b	M
Hydrilla	Hydrilla verticillata	2	2	Prohibited
European Frogbit; Common Frogbit	Hydrocharis morsus-ranae	3	4	Prohibited
Indian swampweed	Hygrophila polysperma	1b	1b
Floating water-primrose	Ludwigia adscendens	1c	1b
Uruguayan Primrose Willow	Ludwigia hexapetala (L. grandiflora)	1c	1a	Prohibited
Floating Primrose Willow	Ludwigia peploides	2	2	Prohibited
European Water Fern; European Waterclover	Marsilea quadrifolia	1a
Marsh dewflower	Murdannia keisak	1b	1b	Prohibited
Parrot Feather Watermilfoil	Myriophyllum aquaticum	2	3	Prohibited
Variable Watermilfoil; Broadleaf Watermilfoil	Myriophyllum heterophyllum	2		Prohibited
Eurasian Water-milfoil	Myriophyllum spicatum	4	4	Prohibited
Brittle Naiad	Najas minor	4	M
Onerow Yellowcress	Nasturtium microphyllum	1a	2
Watercress	Nasturtium officinale	3	3
Indian Lotus, Sacred Lotus	Nelumbo nucifera	1a	2
Starry Stonewort	Nitellopsis obtusa	2	4
Crested floating-heart	Nymphoides cristata	1b
Yellow Floating heart	Nymphoides peltata	2	2	Prohibited
Water Hyacinth	Oshuna crassipes	2	2
Water Lettuce	Pistia stratiotes	2	2
Curly Pondweed	Potamogeton crispus	4	4	Prohibited
Water spangles	Salvinia minima	2	2
Giant salvinia	Salvinia molesta	1b
Water soldiers	Stratiotes aloides L	2	1a
Two-horned Water Chestnut	Trapa bispinosa	1b	1b
Water Chestnut	Trapa natans	4	4	Prohibited

Common Name	Scientific name	Hudson River Tier Rank	NYS Tier Rank (2024)	Regulatory Status
Mud Bithynia	Bithynia tentaculata	2	3	Prohibited
Spiny Waterflea	Bythotrephes longimanus	2	3	Prohibited
Goldfish	Carassius auratus	4		Regulated
Green Crab	Carcinus maenas	M		Regulated
Fishhook Waterflea	Cercopagis pengoi	3	3	Prohibited
Northern Snakehead	Channa argus	1a	2	Prohibited
Chinese Mysterysnail	Cipangopaludina chinensis	M	4	Prohibited
Japanese mystery snail	Cipangopaludina japonica	M		Prohibited
Walking catfish	Clarias batrachus	1b		Prohibited
Asian Clam, Golden Clam	Corbicula fluminea	4	3	Prohibited
Freshwater Jellyfish	Craspedacusta sowerbyi	M
Grass Carp	Ctenopharyngodon idella	2	M
Common Carp	Cyprinus carpio	4	4	Regulated
Quagga Mussel	Dreissena bugensis	3	3	Prohibited
Zebra Mussel	Dreissena polymorpha	4	4	Prohibited
Chinese Mitten Crab	Eriocheir sinensis	2		Prohibited
Rainbow darter	Etheostoma caeruleum	M
Asian Shore Crab	Hemigrapsus sanguineus	M	3	Prohibited
Bloody-red Shrimp	Hemimysis anomala	2	3	Prohibited
Largescale Silver Carp	Hypophthalmichthys harmandi	1b	1b	Prohibited
Silver Carp	Hypophthalmichthys molitrix	1b	1b	Prohibited
Bighead Carp	Hypophthalmichthys nobilis	1b	1b	Prohibited
Redear sunfish	Lepomis microlophus	M	2
Ide	Leuciscus idus	M	1a
Red-rim melania	Melanoides tuberculata	M	2
Pond Loach	Misgurnus anguillicaudatus	3	3	Prohibited
Asian swamp eel	Monopterus albus	1a	1a	Regulated
Black carp	Mylopharyngodon piceus	1b		Prohibited
Dark false mussel	Mytilopsis leucophaeata	M
Round Goby	Neogobius melanostomus	3	3	Prohibited
Calico Crayfish	Orconectes immunis	1b	1a
Rusty Crayfish	Orconectes rusticus	4	3	Prohibited
Virile Crayfish	Orconectes virilis	2	2
Chinese Softshell	Pelodiscus sinensis	M
New Zealand Mudsnail	Potamopyrgus antipodarum	2	2	Prohibited
Red Swamp Crayfish	Procambarus clarkii	2	2
Marbled crayfish	Procambarus virginalis	1a	1a
Freshwater Tubenose Goby	Proterorhinus semilunaris	1b		Prohibited
Lionfish (species unknown)	Pterois spp. (species unknown)	M	2
Flathead catfish	Pylodictis olivaris	1b	1a
Big-eared Radix	Radix auricularia	1b
Rudd	Scardinius erythrophthalmus	M		Regulated
Tench	Tinca tinca	1a	2	Prohibited
Red-eared Slider Turtle	Trachemys scripta elegans	4	4	Regulated
European Stream Valvata	Valvata piscinalis	1b	2
Banded Mysterysnail	Viviparus georgianus	M	4

In addition to prioritizing control of early emerging invasive species, we also aim to protect specific places within the Hudson River watershed that provide exceptional ecological resources and ecosystem services.

We developed a framework to determine these priority places for aquatic invasive species monitoring and control. In this framework, streams, lakes, ponds, tidal wetlands, and other significant habitats are given points for various criteria that influence their conservation value. Top-scoring water bodies are selected as priority monitoring areas.

Priority Sites

Click here to view site maps and read more about our prioritization methods.

Tools used to determine priority watersheds:

Waterbody Inventory/Priority Watershed Map

Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitats

Hudson Valley Significant Biodiversity Areas

Resources

Webinar Recordings

Hydrilla in the Croton River: Containing an Emerging Invasive Species

November 30 2022

With Nicole White, NYSDEC and Little Bear Environmental Consulting LLT

Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticiliata), a submerged noxious weed that can grow up to 30 ft in length and form dense mats in lakes and rivers, is considered one of the world’s most invasive aquatic plants. Join us to learn about hydrilla’s impacts on our ecosystems and wildlife, as well as a multi-year effort to control the plant in the Croton River and prevent its spread to the larger Hudson River watershed.

Water Chestnut on the Hudson River: Impacts, Management, and Preventing the Next Invasion

October 11 2022

With Dr. Steve Pearson, NYSDEC; Kelly McKeon, MIT/WHOI; and Lynde Dodd, USACE

Water Chestnut (Trapa natans) is a widespread invasive plant that floats on top of lakes and slow-moving rivers. Learn how water chestnut impacts the Hudson River and the ability of its marshes to adapt to climate change; how researchers study water chestnut and prioritize areas for control; and how all of these dynamics may shift in response to a new species of water chestnut, T. bispinosa, that has emerged in the mid-Atlantic US.

Round Goby on the Hudson River: Status, Implications, and Preventing the Next Invasion

September 21 2022

With Scott George, USGS; Rich Pendleton, NYSDEC HREP; and Dr. Stuart Findlay, Cary IES

The round goby, Neogobius melanostomus, an aggressive fish that inhabits the bottoms of lakes and rivers, has been classified as an invasive species in several parts of the world including North America, parts of Europe, and the Baltic Sea. Since its arrival in the Great Lakes in the ‘90s, researchers have watched with trepidation as the fish’s range expanded eastward. In 2021, the round goby was observed for the first time in the Hudson River and has spread rapidly since then. This webinar covers the latest research on the round goby’s impact in this new river system, implications for the biology of the Hudson River, and large-scale efforts to prevent future invasive species spread to new watersheds.

Best Management practices

PLANTS

ANIMALS

ID Guides and Tools

General

Plants

Animals

Preventing the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species

(Thank you Ms. Garcia and students for suggesting these resources for our website!)

Meeting Summaries

Partner Projects

Round_goby_a_invasive_fish_in_a_lot_of_countries

Contact Directory

The searchable directory of partners below is intended to help connect invasive species researchers and stewards with similar interests.

Name	Title	Organization	Location	Geographic Scope of Work	Description of work and interests	Species
Heather Gierloff	Hudson River Programs Supervisor and Estuary Coordinator	NYSDEC	NYSDEC Region 3	Hudson River Estuary, New York State	Management of NYSDEC Hudson River Programs, including: Hudson River Estuary Program, Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve, Hudson River Fisheries, Marine Habitat.
Sarah Fernald	Manager	NYSDEC and Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve	Staatsburg, NY	Hudson River Estuary; specifically the HRNERR component sites, which are Stockport Flats, Tivoli Bays, Iona Island, and Piermont Marsh	Oversight of the Research Team, who conduct baseline monitoring of estuarine habitats, specifically tidal wetlands and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). My work in invasive species involved mapping the cover and change over time in plant communities, focusing on the more widespread invasive plants (Trapa natans Phragmites australis, Myriophyllum spicatum) to study how they impacted ecosystem functions and the resilience of these habitats to projected climate change stressors.	I currently work with Trapa natans, Phragmites australis, Myriophyllum spicatum. I was also involved in the initial detection of the Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis) in the Hudson RIver Estuary.
Catherine McGlynn	Aquatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator	NYSDEC	Albany, NY	New York State and Northeast/Mid-Atlantic/Great Lakes Regions	- Monitor and Survey habitat suitable for hydrilla; - Assist with Croton River hydrilla control Project - Water chestnut surveys/removal - Grass Carp detection and distribution - LI-Metro Aquatic OIT Symposium	hydrilla, Brazilian elodea, curly leaf pond weed, Eurasian watermilfoil, Ludwigia, European frogbit, fanwort, parrot's feather, water chestnut, Northern snakehead, grass carp, zebra mussel, quagga mussel, Asian clams, round goby, Chinese mitten crab, starry stonewort
Steven Pearson	Research Biologist	NYSDEC	Albany, NY	New York State	Working to determine aquatic invasive species distribution, abundance, life history and management strategies.	Flora and fauna
Nicole White	Croton Hydrilla Control Project Manager	NYSDEC Invasive Species Coordination Section	NYSDEC Region 3	New York State	- Design of control projects and management plans for various aquatic invasive plant species in rivers, lakes, ponds in the Hudson River watershed - Field survey and data analysis for native and aquatic plant species abundance over time in HR watershed - Design of manual and chemical control projects for AIS - Work to facilitate close communication between NYSDEC ISCS, Lower Hudson PRISM, municipalities, and other regional partners to prioritize AIS early detection and rapid response - Environmental permitting for AIS projects	Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), Floating primrose-willow (Ludwigia peploides), Water chestnut (Trapa natans), European frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae), Fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana), Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), Brazilian elodea (Egeria densa), Brittle naiad (Najas minor), Curly leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus), Northern Snakehead (Channa argus), Rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus)
Christina Pacella	Habitat Researcher	NYSDEC, Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve	Staatsburg, NY	Hudson River Estuary; specifically the HRNERR component sites, which are Stockport Flats, Tivoli Bays, Iona Island, and Piermont Marsh	Oversight of HRNERR tidal wetland and SAV monitoring programs, including aerial mapping and surveying. Studying effects of sea level rise and climate stressors on tidal wetland and subtidal shallow habitats.	Primarily aquatic plants
Dan Smith	Land Stewardship Coordinator	Scenic Hudson	Poughkeepsie, NY	Albany and Renselear Counties to Rockland and Westchester. Greater focus on Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, and Ulster Counties.	To this point our focus has been on terrestrial invasive species. However, we manage a number of river accesses and properties with tributaries to the Hudson and are interested in engaging with aquatic invasives more in the future.	Water chestnut (currently).
Dan Shapley	Co-Director of Science and Patrol	Riverkeeper	Ossining, NY	Hudson River Watershed and NYC Watershed	- Impacts on native biota - Impacts on water quality - Impacts on drinking water quality - Impacts on habitat/ecology
David Decker	Land Steward	Constitution Marsh Audubon Center	Garrison, NY	We manage two Hudson River tidal marshes: Constitution Marsh and the RamsHorn-Livingston Marsh located in Catskill, NY in partnership with Scenic Hudson.	We work to preserve marsh habitat from the impacts of invasive species in order to protect the vulnerable wildlife species that use the marshes along the Hudson River. Our main project is a mechanical control project for Phragmites australis at Constitution Marsh	Phragmites, water chestnut
Lynde Dodd		US Army Research and Development Center	Lewisville, TX	USACE Projects including reservoirs, rivers, wetlands, and other navigational authorities.	My research focus: invasion and restoration ecology of freshwater macrophytes. I currently work with a number of stakeholders including USACE, state, local, and NGOs in applied research to learn more about and manage invasive aquatic plant species to facilitate sustainable and resilience aquatic vegetation communities.	water chestnut, hydrilla
Matt Brincka	Invasive Species Biologist	NYS OPRHP	Albany, NY	New York State	Invasive Species Biologist working for New York State Parks; Provide guidance and support on all invasive species, both terrestrial and aquatic; Work closely with partners on Statewide and Regional initiatives involving invasive species	Typically new or emerging threats
Brian DeGasperis	Restoration Biologist	Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve	Staatsburg, NY	Hudson River (Westchester to Troy)	- Survey and assessment - Early detection and prevention - Management and control - Impacts on native species and ecosystem processes - Restoration of native habitat	Water chestnut, hydrilla, brittle naiad, curly leaf pondweed, milfoil, Phragmites, purple loosestrife, yellow iris, zebra mussels, Asian clam, goldfish, common carp
Daniel Miller	Habitat Restoration Coordinator	NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program	Staatsburg, NY	Hudson River	Hudson River habitat restoration including shorelines, shallows and intertidal areas. Manage small scale Phragmites management efforts.	Phragmites
Scott Cuppett	Watershed Program Manager	Hudson River Estuary Program	New Paltz, NY	Hudson watershed between Troy and NYC	Work involved instream and streamside restoration, such as dam removal, riparian vegetation restoration, and replacing culverts. Invasives in these disturbed areas can host aquatic and terrestrial/aquatic transition zones. Implementing project can also lead to newly disturbed areas for invasives to occupy. How to manage them during and after restoration can be a challenge.	Until now, its primarily been Japanese knotweed, water chestnut, and phragmities, although future barrier mitigation projects could be impacted by not wanting certain aquatics to occupy unavailable upstream habitat, such as brown Ttrout, or Chinese mitten crab.
Rich Pendleton		NYSDEC	New Paltz, NY	Hudson River, Troy to George Washington Bridge	Long-term fish monitoring	Round goby
Gregg Kenney	Marine Biologist	NYSDEC	New Paltz, NY	Hudson River tidal estuary and tributaries	We manage the migratory fish in the Hudson. Our AIS priority is to prevent future invasions of aquatic species, particularly via swimming from connected watersheds.	Emerging aquatic invasive species
Jessica Kuonen	Hudson Estuary Resilience Specialist	New York Sea Grant	Kingston, NY	Hudson River Estuary (Troy to Manhattan)	In my work, I serve waterfront communities, boaters, and water-based businesses on a variety of issues. There is interest from these groups in keeping up-to-date with the latest science and best management practices for aquatic invasive species. NYSG can play a role in connecting these groups to the proper resources.	None directly, but I hear from my stakeholders about water chestnut the most.
Scott George	Biologist	U.S. Geological Survey	Troy, NY	Primarily New York, but able to work throughout the United States.	I have studied the expansion of round goby in central and eastern New York since 2016. I continue to conduct this research on the Mohawk River and am initiating a new phase of monitoring in the Champlain Canal. I am also collaborating with researchers studying round goby in the Hudson River estuary.	Round goby
Steve Young	Chief Botanist	NYNHP	Albany, NY	New York State	We inventory and protect rare aquatic species in NY and invasive species are a main threat to their viability. We would like to detect invasive aquatic species before they become a problem in the Hudson River and lend our botanical expertise to help control established ones.	Aquatic Invasive Plant species, across New York State.
Andrew Dangler	Biologist- Senior Project Manager	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers	Wartervliet, NY	NYSDEC Regions 4-5	I currently review applications for Department of the Army permits pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act. Controlling the spread of invasive species and limiting their encroachment into mitigation areas are factored into the application review and approval process.	Primarily water chestnut
Michael Spada	Aquatic Ecologist	NYC Department of Environmental Protection	Kingston, NY	Delaware, Greene, Putnam, Schoharie, Ulster and Westchester counties	Aquatic invasive species are of interest to me since I focused on zebra mussels for my Masters of Science degree, so beyond my intrinsic interest in AIS there are practical reasons for my interest. Several of NYC's drinking water reservoirs are in relatively close proximity to the Hudson River, and as such could be a potential source for infestation of NYC's water supply. Lastly, NYC has pump facilities on the Hudson River to augment the water supply during times of drought emergency.	Zebra and quagga mussels, Cercopagis pengoi, Corbicula fluminea, Orconectes rusticus, hydrilla (ancillary)
Mark Solan	Section Chief	New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; Bureau of Pesticide Management	Schenectady, NY	Capital District, Hudson Valley	-Regulatory oversight for pesticides applications -Review Article 15 Aquatic Pesticide Permit applications -Render permit decisions relating to Article 15 Aquatic Pesticide applications	Primarily aquatic plants
Meredith Taylor	Invasive Species Biologist	New York City Department of Environmental Protection	Kingston, NY	NYC Water Supply Watershed	- Early detection species moving into the area that pose a threat to water quality - hydrilla, quagga mussel, northern snakehead, Asian carp, round goby, etc.	Hydrilla, zebra mussel, Asian clam, water chestnut
Hannah Coppola	Aquatic Invasive Species Program Manager	Capital Region Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (Capital Region PRISM)	Ballston Spa, NY	AIS management throughout the Capital Region PRISM Counties; Watercraft Inspection Steward Program at boat launch locations throughout the CRP	- As the AIS Program Manager for the Capital Region PRISM, I have a vested interest in understanding and preventing the spread of AIS on the Hudson River. - Surveys for AIS are conducted by Capital Region PRISM staff. - Multiple launch locations for the Watercraft Inspection Steward Program are located on the Hudson River.	- Predominately Eurasian water-milfoil, curly-leaf pondweed, and water chestnut - Survey and work with all AIS throughout the Capital Region PRISM
Devin DiGiacopo	Aquatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator	Lower Hudson Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (LHPRISM) / Teatown Lake Reservation	Teatown Lake Reservation, Ossining, NY	Lower Hudson Valley, NY	My primary responsibility as the Aquatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator is managing the Aquatic Invasives Strike Force (an AmeriCorps program hosted by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference and funded by the Lower Hudson PRISM). The crew surveys and maps AIS occurrences throughout the Lower Hudson region, assists in outreach events and trainings, participates in water chestnut removals and special partner projects, and conducts watercraft inspections for the LH PRISM Watercraft Inspection Steward Program.	Primarily water chestnut (Trapa natans), but my crew surveys for all native and invasive aquatic plant species.