On Saturday, August 28 over 30 volunteers joined Groundwork Somerville, the Mystic River Watershed Association and the Friends of the Mystic River to remove the invasive water chestnut from the Mystic River in Medford.

Volunteers in canoes, kayaks, and small boats yanked the plants by hand out of the river. In total, volunteers removed 372 baskets- at least 7,500 pounds- of water chestnuts after four hours, according to the Mystic River Watershed Association. The plants will be sent to a local facility for composting.

The Mystic River before the water chestnut removal.

The Mystic River after the water chestnut removal. Photos by Ken Krause.