A concerning new plant on our lakes

SWAN VALLEY - "This is where the water lily was last year," sighed Fish Biologist Beth Gardner, pointing to a small cove in Holland Lake's south shore. The water lily. Singular. Today, water lilies abound there, in a growing patch the size of a Chevrolet Suburban. And there are other patches around the lake's edge, wherever the water is shallow and still. Granted, Beth may have missed a plant or two last year, or mistaken it pre-flower for our native yellow pond lily. But this year, in shock at the profusion of white, she had one of those moments with a gulp and the thought: I don't think I've...