General Impact
WSDE (2003) states that “like other floating leaved plants, yellow floating heart / fringed water lily grows in dense patches, excluding native species and even creating stagnant areas with low oxygen levels underneath the floating mats. The structural complexity of its mats make it difficult to fish, water ski, swim, or even paddle a canoe through. NWCB (2003) would add “fish and wildlife habitat, recreation and water quality is negatively impacted when the dense mats of N. peltata outcompete native and beneficial plant species. Another problem is that "Hitchiker" plants, such as the invasive Hydrilla verticillata (hydrilla), can be introduced to an area with N. peltata when mail-ordered.
Location Specific Impacts:United States (USA) 
Competition: According to NWCB (2003), "N. peltata grows in dense patches, excluding native species."
Habitat alteration: According to NWCB (2003), "the dense mats of N. peltata exclude native aquatic plant species and create stagnant areas with low oxygen levels underneath the floating mats." This would alter the habitat for fish and other aquatic species.
Human nuisance: According to NWCB (2003), "the dense mats of N. peltata make it difficult to fish, water ski, swim or paddle a canoe through."
Interaction with other invasive species: According to NWCB (2003), "'Hitchiker' plants, such as Hydrilla can be introduced to an area with yellow floatingheart when they are mail-ordered."
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