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Aquatic Plant Management: |
Aquatic plants are an important component of an aquatic ecosystem, providing
habitat for fish and waterfowl. However, when fast-growing plant species become
well established, they can reach nuisance levels. This occurs when aquatic
plants impact common uses of an impoundment such as hydropower production,
recreation, or navigation. Management of aquatic vegetation is necessary to
maintain the value of multiple uses in many large reservoirs where nuisance
levels of aquatic plants have been reached. An example of a nuisance aquatic
plant in our area is Hydrilla verticillata, commonly referred to as hydrilla.
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It is the goal of the aquatic plant management program to minimize impacts to
authorized project purposes caused by nuisance levels of aquatic vegetation.
However, all programs must compete for limited funding. Therefore, the Army
Corps of Engineers will not be able to treat all areas where aquatic vegetation
reaches nuisance levels. Furthermore, as stewards of taxpayer money, it is
understood that the benefits derived from treatment should exceed the cost of
treatment. It is imperative that strong partnerships with state agencies, county
governments, and private concessionaires be formed in order to meet public use
demands.
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Top Aquatic Invasive Plants in the BW&T:
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Hydrilla (Hydrocharitaceae)
Hydrilla, a plant native to Africa, is presently the most threatening plant
species in the aquatic environment. Its ability to out-compete all
other aquatic plant species both natural and exotic for available habitat
makes it a real danger to aquatic systems. Dense surface mats of
hydrilla crowd out native plants and cause reduced oxygen conditions
unsuitable for fish. The mats interfere with water flow, drainage,
navigation, and often harbor mosquitoes.
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Alligator Weed (Amaranthaceae)
Alligator Weed grows in a wider range of water
and
soil conditions that any other aquatic plant. This plant is native
to South America and was probably brought to the US in the ballest of ships.
The plant forms thick mats in water replacing native species
and can result
in fish kills and prevent recreational
use as well as slow drainage that may cause flooding.
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| Cuban Bulrush (Scirpus
cubensis) Cuban Bulrush might be
noticed as a large colony of medium-height grasses growing in the water,
with spherical inflorescences only somewhat visible among the many leaves.
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Common Salvinia (Salvinia minima)
The
Common Salvinia plant is a floating fern and is
not
native to the United States. This species is
about 3/4 inch in width and occurs in still waters having high organic
content. It has joined oval leaves covered with stiff hairs on its leaf
surface. It has a root like structure which is actually modified
fronds.
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| Water
hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)
Water hyacinth is a floating plant and is a
invasive nuisance in much of the world where it often jams rivers and lakes
with uncounted thousands of tons of floating plant matter. A healthy
acre of water hyacinths can weigh up to 200 tons.
This plant grows in all types of
freshwaters. It varies in size from a few inches to over three feet
tall. They have showy lavender flowers with leaves that are rounded
and leathery, attached to spongy and sometimes inflated stalks. It
also has dark feathery roots. |
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| Eurasian Water
Milfoil (Haloragaceae)
Eurasian Water Milfoil has become a problem throughout the US with extensive
stands reported in the Chesapeake Bay, TVA Lakes, and several areas in
Florida. This submersed forming perennial reamins green during winter
and occurs throughout Alabama in both fresh and brackish waters. It
forms dense mats that replace native plants and prevents light penetration
causing fish habitat destruction. It spreads by plant fragments
hitch-hiking on boats and trailers, but also produces seeds. |
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Help prevent the spread of aquatic plants! Hydrilla and other aquatic
plants are often transported unintentionally when boats are towed from one lake
to another. Boaters are reminded to make sure their boat, boat trailer, and live
well are free of aquatic plants before leaving the launching area of any lake.
Place any plants you remove into a garbage container. DO NOT put them
back into the lake. NEVER intentionally plant hydrilla or other nuisance
aquatic plants in any waters. By doing these simple things, you can help protect
the lakes you use and the aquatic resources within them. Please help ensure the
quality of our lakes for future generations.
Learn more at:
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To obtain a spraying permit, you need to complete the following applications
and bring or mail them to either the Demopolis Site Office or the Holt Site
Office.:
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