There is one known population from the Taconics and another along the Delaware River. A population was reported from Mohonk Lake (Shawangunk Mountains), but this has not been verified since the late 1970s. Based on its presence on the Vermont side, there are reasons to believe that this plant could be found in the northern portions of Lake Champlain. Historically this was relatively abundant along the Hudson River and at scattered locations along the St. Lawrence Seaway.

This aquatic plant ranges from southern Quebec and Ontario, south through eastern New York and western New England, down to the coastal plain of North Carolina.