Starry Stonewort Confirmed in Wright County Lake

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of the invasive algae starry stonewort in Buffalo Lake, located in and adjacent to the city of Buffalo in Wright County.

City staff contacted the DNR after a contractor found suspected starry stonewort near the south public access, one of three public accesses on Buffalo Lake.

A DNR invasive species specialist confirmed sparse densities of starry stonewort near the south access. Starry stonewort was not immediately observed in other areas of the lake.

Since it was first found in Minnesota in 2015, starry stonewort has been confirmed in 38 waterbodies in the state.

Starry stonewort can form dense mats, which can interfere with recreational uses of a lake and compete with native plants.

The algae primarily spreads when fragments have not been properly cleaned from water-related equipment.

Early detection is key to effective management.