Options for Controlling Aquatic Plants
The 4 Main Control Mechanisms:
Prevention is key!
Control alone cannot eliminate the threat of hydrilla. Control practices are used for eliminating the existing populations. Prevention is necessary to avoid future invasions and to stop the spread of hydrilla to new locations. Given that small fragments of hydrilla can "hitchhike" on boats and other equipment to new locations and re-root, prevention is very important. Find out more on how you can help prevent the spread of hydrilla!
Management Plans
A management plan includes the plant management goals and objectives, the control methods to be used and other management strategies such as education to prevent the spread . It takes into account many factors such as the current and future uses of the water body, the priorities of stakeholders, and the resources available (money, expertise, regulations, etc.). As an example, the Cayuga Lake Watershed Hydrilla Management Plan aims for complete eradication.
Some hydrilla management plans have aimed at complete eradication of hydrilla and have succeeded (Successful Eradication in the US), while others have settled on containing the existing population. Areas with well-established infestations have lost the opportunity to completely get rid of the weeds (as seen on the Invasion Curve). Those communities are limited to control methods that regain some form of use during the boating/recreation season. Often they use mechanical or physical controls every year and chemicals every few years.
Florida spends millions of dollars a year to clear boat channels through dense hydrilla infestations. (Click on image for larger version) Credit: SW FL Water Management District
Last updated July 26, 2019