Yep, poorly phrased question.

By laterally, I meant does it keep spreading parallel to the shoreline from where it was first established.

I also asked does it spread into deeper water if you plant it into 1-2" deep water. It is much more difficult for me to control plants spreading into the pond, than spreading up onto the shore.

Apparently, I should have asked if the Blue Flag Iris also spreads a lot perpendicular to the shoreline.

esshup, has yours now spread onto dry land 4' beyond the edge of the water? That would still be fine with me. I assume it would be relatively easy to put the bush hog on a high cutting height and just back to the waters edge and clear little 5' wide spots for fishing access? And the iris bulbs will just generating new growth?