Aquatic invasive species are non-native plants and animals that disrupt ecosystems, harm wildlife, and impact recreation. Learn how they spread, the problems they cause, and safe methods for control and management.
Heavy metal poisoning is a growing concern in many parts of the country. A new method for removing chromium-6, a highly toxic heavy metal, from waste water has been developed by a group of scientists from India and Ethiopia. They claim it to be low-cost and safe. The new method uses water hyacinth, a weed
Invasive curlyleaf pondweed has been choking East Okoboji Lake, snarling boat propellers, burning up motors and shutting down swimming, tubing and other water sports in an area that depends on recreation. The weed’s invasion is driving heated debates about how to control it — from using mechanical removal to administering herbicides that raise concerns about
Lake Waccamaw is infested with hydrilla and officials are hoping fluridone is the answer to killing the invasive aquatic plant. Officials have chosen fluridone because it is supposed to point only hydrilla with no effect on other plants or animal life. The first treatment cycle will cost $196,660 for three applications and will need to
A weed infestation so bad it’s disturbing navigation for planes on Lake Hood has prompted the state to request an emergency herbicide application before someone gets hurt. Lake Hood in Alaska, known as the world’s busiest floatplane base, is exploding with greenery fueled by this year’s warm summer. But the lush underwater vegetation now includes
In response to a plan put together by Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper, council members decided to decline the Idaho State Department of Agriculture’s offer to apply herbicide treatments in areas of watermilfoil infestation. This option came at no cost to the city, but the idea of herbicides in the water made many residents cringe. After
In Stockton, California managers have been trying to keep the water hyacinth that washes in from the Delta under control with herbicide treatments. Unfortunately even after 15 applications, the hyacinth has extended beyond the level of control. Port officials say a state spraying program failed to control the hyacinth, so they contracted with a Bay
Hydrilla’s roots run deep in Florida. After a Gulf Coast aquarium dealer had the plant shipped from Sri Lanka in the early 1950s, the stringy nuisance has cost government agencies countless millions. Hydrilla grows up to two inches a day, clogging lakes, rivers and canals that flow to the Melbourne-Tillman (C-1) canal in Palm Bay.
Leave the weed cutting on lakes to the professionals, was one common theme at Thursday morning’s Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency meeting in New York. Invasive species have proved to be particularly difficult to manage this year, and in areas such as Cayuga Lake and Skaneateles Lake, agencies have found property owners with good
The ongoing battle against aquatic weeds on Kenosha County’s inland lakes is getting tougher as one of the most invasive species is developing an herbicide-resistant strain, and ongoing drought changes the landscape of the lakes. Without artificial control methods, the lake weeds would make Camp Lake and Paddock Lake, among others difficult to navigate as
The winter phase of the milfoil control program on Osoyoos Lake in British Columbia, Canada, got underway last week as water temperatures continued to cool. Unlike during the summer, when a machine cuts and harvests the tops of the invasive weed, between October and April a rototiller is used to pull the plant up by