Water weed grows primarily in the muddy substrates along the western shoreline of the Bay (Figure 5.7 and Table 5.2). This distribution close to Big Creek may be influenced by the fact that this plant grows best in nutrient rich, eutrophic waters and on fine sediments. While it comprises a small portion of Long Point Bay's aquatic macrophytes, it did expand its range in the Bay between 1976 and 1995 (Table 5.3). Despite its limited distribution, the leaves of the plant provide an important food source for waterfowl. This species primarily reproduces asexually, and rarely produces seeds. Water Weed tolerates a wide range of environmental extremes but does not thrive in shallow water <0.5 m.