The water chestnut is not a plant that Allen Chase wants to see in Upstate New York waters.

The water chestnut has floating, triangular-shaped leaves with long stems, as well as nuts with spines and barbs.

Chase said its seeds can lie dormant for 12 years and still be viable.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the plant is native to Eurasia and Africa. It came to the U.S. in the 1800s as an ornamental plant.

“It tends to choke out native species, so it will take over an area and just force out any kind of native species and leave areas just completely plugged out,” said Chase.

The invasion of the plant can make it hard to fish, swim or boat.

Chase, president of Allen Chase Enterprises, knows a lot about the plant because he says about a decade ago, the Oswego County Soil and Water Conservation District selected the company to help rid the area of water chestnut.

“Even if we were able to eradicate 100% of the species that’s growing this year, it would take at least 12 years of doing that to completely eradicate this,” he said.

For years, they’ve sprayed a herbicide to kill the plants with the help of air boats. This year, Allen Chase Enterprises is trying a new, more effective method.

“I know it’s the first time in New York state,” Chase said. “I believe it’s the first time in the United States that UAVs have been used in this type of an application.”

In just a few days, the drone and air boats allow Chase and his team to spray 160 acres of water chestnut. They do the treatment once a year.

“The herbicide we’re using, Clearcast, is approved by the EPA and it has been reviewed by the New York State DEC, and it has been determined safe for use in waters such as this,” Chase said.

Chase said he enjoys boating and lives on the water, so personally and professionally, he’s glad to see the treatments working.

“We’re treating about 160 acres on the Oswego River. Six to eight years ago, there was 300 acres on the Oswego River. So we are having a positive impact. The speculation is had there been no treatment, there might be 600 acres,” said Chase.

The DEC encourages having watercraft and equipment cleaned, drained and dried before and after each use to help stop the spread of water chestnut.

The Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation District’s executive director said one water chestnut plant can produce up to 300 plants. He said permits and insurance are needed in order to start pulling plants, but people interested in volunteering can reach out.