By Angie Sullivan
A dangerous aquatic plant has taken hold in Cook’s Bay in Lake Simcoe, and residents want action.
The Water Soldier Working Group held a Water Soldier Open House on Monday, Oct. 20, at the Georgina Ice Palace to update the public on the situation and what’s being done to stop the spread.
This invasive species was first detected in Lake Simcoe in July of 2024 and became a viral news story when Judy Dwyer of Keswick told CBC News that she had been overrun by the plants. The sharply serrated leaves of water soldier can shred human skin and choke native vegetation.
Dwyer and her partner, Bill McCarty, live on the shores of Young’s Harbour, located within Cook’s Bay. They were at the open house to learn about next steps.
“Though we kept pulling the plants out all summer, it didn’t get better over the season,” said Dwyer.
The Water Soldier Working Group spent the summer of 2025 surveying Lake Simcoe to understand the extent of the infestation. Water soldier has only been found in Cook’s Bay, but the infestation covers an estimated 450 hectares. Jordan McDonald, an employee of the OFAH Foundation, used a map to show where the plants are growing.
“I spent my summer on a boat, documenting the infestation,” said McDonald. “Now that we’ve monitored and researched the location of the plants, we are working on a management plan.”
Robert McGowan, a project specialist of the Invading Species Awareness Program from the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Foundation (OFAH), had a sample of the plant at the Ice Palace.
“We have three ways to control water soldier. There is manual removal using hand tools, mechanical harvesting with boats, and herbicide application, which is very effective,” said McGowan.
He explained that there is hope to rid Lake Simcoe of the plant entirely. His team managed to eradicate water soldier from the Black River near the Sutton Dam using the three-way method.
John Rittgasser works for the Town of Georgina and is responsible for aquatic weed management. “I see water soldier every day, and I’ve been cleaning up the shoreline.”
Jacob Mantle, MP for York–Durham, has tabled a petition from Georgina residents asking the government to combat the invasive species. The petition asks that Water Soldier be listed as an invasive plant under federal law. It also requests that a single government department take responsibility for efforts to combat the plant, and sufficient financial and technical support are awarded to the Water Soldier Working Group.
You can sign the petition here: https://www.jacobmantlemp.ca/petition
- Sweet Purpose Behind the Sweets – 6th Tarts4Hearts Festival - October 22, 2025
- The war on water soldier in Lake Simcoe - October 22, 2025
- Georgina Gears Up for Halloween! - October 21, 2025
