There's an invader on the loose.

It even has a Godzilla villain-like name: Hydrilla.

But, unlike Mothra, this enemy is real.

The good news?

“It looks like there was no further infestation last year,” said Jody Jones, Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association’s executive director. “It looks like we're making progress.”

Jones, along with DLWA President John Hartman, spoke Monday, Feb. 10 at the Newcastle Board of Selectmen meeting about where the money given by the board goes.

The past few years it has gone to prevent the spread of the invasive plant species hydrilla, Jones said.

“The money you gave last year helped control the spread of the plant to the rest of the lake,” she said.

That means sending out crews to try and find the weed.

Hydrilla was first found in the lake in 2009. Since then, time and effort has been spent to identify where in the lake the hyrilla is hiding, including a sweep of 95 percent of the lake by volunteers.

Using GIS maps, volunteers have swept across the lake and located and controlled the plant to specific areas.

In the spring, a special type of tarp will line Cranberry Cove to try and stamp out the hydrilla for good, Jones said.

“The tarp will smother the plants,” she said. “Hopefully, we'll get some young volunteers with young knees to help put (the tarp in place).”

Hydrilla originally comes from around the Indian Ocean. It was introduced to America to be placed in aquariums. If left untreated, it could have devastating effects on the lake's natural inhabitants and ecosystem, Jones said.

The plant can grow up to two feet per day and choke out the native species, Jones said.

To help combat the spread of hydrilla, the Watershed Association also gives “courtesy boat inspections” to boaters to try and stem hydrilla's reach. Jones said last year 120 volunteers in canoes paddled over 60 to 80 percent of the lake searching for the pesky plant.