Volunteers Sought for Water Chestnut Removal in Nashua River

The Nashua River Watershed Association launches second year of Adopt-a-River program to combat invasive plants

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:33am

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph of people paddling canoes on a river, with the scene blurred and softened by condensation or rain-streaked glass, creating a dreamlike, atmospheric mood.Volunteers' efforts to remove invasive water chestnuts from the Nashua River will help restore the natural beauty and accessibility of this vital waterway.Lowell Today

The Nashua River Watershed Association is seeking volunteers to help remove invasive water chestnuts from priority stretches of the Nashua River this summer. Volunteers can adopt a section of the river and visit it several times between June and August to hand-pull the water chestnuts, which can form dense mats that choke out native plants, degrade water quality, and make the river difficult to use for activities like paddling and fishing.

Why it matters

The Nashua River is an important natural resource for the local community, providing recreational opportunities and supporting a healthy ecosystem. Removing the invasive water chestnuts is crucial to maintaining the river's water quality and accessibility for residents and visitors.

The details

Volunteers who sign up for the Adopt-a-River program will need to provide their own canoe or kayak to access the river. The NRWA is hosting a free on-water training session on June 6th from noon to 4pm at the Petapawag Canoe Launch, where volunteers can learn how to properly identify and remove the water chestnuts.

  • The Adopt-a-River program runs from June through August 2026.
  • The free on-water training session is on Saturday, June 6, 2026 from 12pm to 4pm.

The players

Nashua River Watershed Association

A nonprofit organization that works to protect and restore the Nashua River and its watershed.

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What’s next

Volunteers interested in the Adopt-a-River program can fill out the registration form on the NRWA website and attend the free training session on June 6th.

The takeaway

The Nashua River is an important community resource, and the Adopt-a-River program provides an opportunity for local residents to get involved in preserving its health and accessibility through the removal of invasive water chestnuts.