Vt. Scientists Say 'Spiny Water Flea' Coming - FOX44 - Burlington / Plattsburgh News, Weather & Sports

Vt. Scientists Say 'Spiny Water Flea' Coming

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BURLINGTON, Vt. -

A University of Vermont biologist says a new invasive species is headed for Lake Champlain through the Champlain Canal system.

The spiny water flea is not considered as big a threat to the lake as some species that have already arrived, but its presence could create a nuisance for anglers and, at worst, disrupt the lake's food web because it would displace native plankton fed on by fish.

University of Vermont fisheries biologist Ellen Marsden tells the Burlington Free Press that unless the canal is closed the arrival of the microscopic crustacean is inevitable.

The canal carries boat traffic between the Hudson River and Lake Champlain.

The New York officials found five examples the species in water samples taken from the canal on June 12.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.

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