LACONIA — Lake Host Deb Williams had a big save Aug. 15, during a boat inspection, thwarting a zebra mussel and plant fragments from hitch-hiking a boat ride into Lake Winnisquam. For her and Winnisquam Watershed Network, it’s just another day protecting the lake from aquatic invasive species.

“The zebra mussel is probably the biggest save we have had,” said Sara Steiner, executive director of WWN. “We’re doing our part to save the lake.”

Each year since 2020, WWN’s Lake Host program greets and inspects over 3,000 boats and trailers entering Winnisquam, performing voluntary inspections to ensure no invasive species are entering or exiting the lake. They look for pesky species like zebra mussels, Chinese mystery snails, milfoil and water chestnuts.

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