Recreation & Fisheries – Aquarius-Systems

Decomposing Weeds After Spraying Kills Fish in Lake

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 16:34:36 +0000

Residents around Indian Lake in Worcester, Massachusetts, are raising concerns after a spike in fish deaths following the recent application of aquatic herbicides. These chemicals, intended to control the spread of invasive weeds, work by killing the plants outright. But once the plants die, they begin to decompose in the water—a process that consumes dissolved oxygen. As oxygen levels drop, fish and other aquatic life can no longer survive, resulting in visible fish kills along the shoreline.

This chain reaction—herbicide application, plant decay, and oxygen depletion—has become a growing concern for communities trying to balance weed control with aquatic health. Indian Lake residents voiced frustration over poor communication from city officials, especially after seeing and smelling the aftermath of the July 2025 treatment. This incident underscores the environmental risks of chemical plant control and the importance of considering non-chemical alternatives like mechanical weed harvesting.

Read More https://www.telegram.com/story/news/2025/07/22/dead-fish-herbicides-communication-discussed-at-indian-lake-meeting/85306476007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z118908p000650c000650d00—-v118908d–79–b–79–&gca-ft=234&gca-ds=sophi

Chemical Spraying Causes Major Fish Kill in Florida Canal

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 18:18:06 +0000

Following a chemical treatment aimed at controlling aquatic vegetation in Port St. Lucie’s Elkhorn Canal, residents reported what they called the “worst smell in the entire world” as countless fish perished on the canal’s surface. Water tests revealed that dissolved oxygen levels plunged to levels unsustainable for aquatic life—an unintended but severe consequence of the applied chemicals.

Critics argue that proper dissolved-oxygen testing should have been completed before treatment—something the contractor failed to do. Environmental advocates now recommend exploring safer alternatives, such as mechanical harvesting or biological controls, to manage vegetation without triggering oxygen depletion or fish kills.

When Waterway Management Turns Harmful

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 18:12:20 +0000

In June 2024, a chemical herbicide application in Florida’s Elkcam Waterway resulted in a catastrophic fish kill. Within 24 hours, residents reported fish gasping at the surface, and by the end of the week, thousands of dead fish had washed up along the banks.

This devastating incident underscores the dangers of using chemicals to manage aquatic vegetation. While herbicides can offer a quick solution, the long-term damage can be severe—destroying ecosystems, harming wildlife, and raising health concerns for nearby communities.

The fish lost in Port St. Lucie were part of a balanced aquatic system that also supported birds, turtles, and other species. The sudden collapse of this environment sparked outrage and concern among residents who now question the safety and sustainability of chemical treatments.

Fortunately, there is a better way. Mechanical harvesting offers an eco-friendly, chemical-free method of aquatic weed control. It physically removes vegetation from the water without introducing toxins or disrupting the ecosystem. This method not only preserves water quality but also protects the fish, plants, and wildlife that depend on healthy aquatic habitats.

Whether managing a private lake, public waterway, or residential canal, mechanical harvesting is a responsible, sustainable solution. It’s an effective alternative for those who care about long-term water health and want to avoid the risks of herbicide use.

How the Loss of Aquatic Plants Threatens Lake Ecosystems

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 19:56:42 +0000

Lakes and wetlands across the United States are facing a big problem — the loss of important aquatic plants. One example is Lake Mattamuskeet in North Carolina, where underwater plants have almost disappeared. This loss is hurting the lake’s health and the many birds that depend on it.

Aquatic plants are very important for keeping lakes healthy. They help keep the water clean by reducing harmful nutrients, provide homes for fish, and prevent the lake bottom from washing away. When these plants disappear, the lake becomes unbalanced. The water becomes cloudy, oxygen levels drop, and fish populations start to die.

In Lake Mattamuskeet, the loss of plants has made the water murky and full of nutrients, which encourages harmful algae to grow. These algae blooms make things worse by blocking sunlight and using up oxygen. Fewer plants also mean less food for birds that migrate to the lake, which is another big problem.

Restoring Balance to Our Lakes
Bringing back aquatic plants is key to restoring the health of lakes like Mattamuskeet. When native plants return, they improve water quality, provide food and shelter for wildlife, and help stabilize the ecosystem. Efforts to control invasive species and allow native vegetation to grow can help break the cycle of decline. By protecting and restoring these plants, we give lakes a chance to heal and support the many species that depend on them.

Chloraminated Water Causes Massive Fish Kill in Minnesota

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 15:01:09 +0000

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency released new information regarding its ongoing efforts to determine what caused a massive fish kill in Duluth’s Tischer Creek in August.

MPCA Communications Specialist Beverly Godfrey says the city of Duluth drained an estimated 1.7 million gallons of chloraminated water into the creek from the Woodland Reservoir over a 15-hour period as part of a maintenance operation for the city’s drinking water system. Chloraminated water is drinking water that has been treated with chloramine, a disinfectant that’s made by combining chlorine and ammonia.

Chloramine is more stable than chlorine, so it can protect water from bacterial regrowth for longer, it produces fewer disinfection byproducts than chlorine and has a less noticeable chlorine odor and taste.

Wake Boarding Restrictions On Wisconsin’s Deepest Natural Inland Lake

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 14:16:42 +0000

The deepest natural inland lake in Wisconsin is the latest to take up the issue of wake boating.

A wake boating advisory has been issued by the municipalities that surround Green Lake.

Wake boats have special tanks allowing them to create larger wakes than other boats. The advisory asks wake boaters to operate in wake mode in a minimum depth of 40 feet of water and stay at least 700 feet from shore.

According to the DNR, Green Lake has a maximum depth of roughly 236 feet.

The recommended area is outlined on a map from the Green Lake Association. This leaves 60% of the lake available for wake surfing.

The advisory comes following a recent study by the University of Minnesota, which looked at how wake surfing can kick up lake sediment, erode shorelines and potentially transport invasive species.

Winter Drawdown to Kill Submerged Aquatic Plants

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 22:22:23 +0000

Fishermen, boaters and picnickers familiar with Fox Valley Lake north of Kahoka might be a little surprised to see how the lake looks.

The 108-acre body of water is 8 feet lower than normal — and will remain at that level until the beginning of March.

It is all part of an ambitious plan by the Missouri Department of Conservation to kill off weeds that are keeping the largemouth bass population from reaching its full potential. By exposing the submerged aquatic plants to air and freezing temperature should kill off some of the plants, reducing their coverage and improving the fishery.

Restoring Submerged Aquatic Vegetation in the Chesapeake Bay

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 21:19:29 +0000

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) such as wild celery and eelgrass are an important component of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.

The underwater grasses improve water quality in the Bay by trapping loose sediment in their roots and remove pollutants, such as excess nitrogen, from the water column. The beds are also home to spawning fish and crustaceans and waterfowl feed on the SAV throughout the year.

Once the SAV beds were so abundant that the mats of floating vegetation fouled propellers, stopping boats from navigating many of the Bay’s shallower stretches, but now the plants occupy only a fraction of the area they have in the past.

Federal and Maryland regulators are working to restore submersed aquatic vegetation populations in the Chesapeake by planting new stands of wild celery, redhead grass, coontail and other aquatic plants.

Native Aquatic Plants: An Important Component of Healthy Lakes

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 21:08:57 +0000

Warmer weather and water temperatures are spurring the growth of aquatic plants across Wisconsin and increasing calls from waterfront property owners for help in controlling the plants.

State aquatic plant specialists encourage property owners to contact the Department of Natural Resources before taking steps to reduce or control the plants. The plants provide important fish and wildlife habitat, anchor sediments and provide other benefits.

“Native aquatic plants are an important and crucial component of healthy lakes, bogs, streams and rivers and it’s important to handle them with care,” said Scott Provost, aquatic plant management coordinator for the DNR. “The fond memories that many of us have of growing up on lakes swimming, boating and discovering frogs, fish, and dragonflies depend on the clean water and habitat aquatic plants provide.”

All methods of controlling aquatic plants are regulated by the state to help protect the plants and the benefits they bring people and wildlife.

Many aquatic plants are so valuable that their presence or absence can alter the entire community of life within an area, Provost said.

Beneficial Aquatic Weeds in Lake Greenwood

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 21:17:42 +0000

The squishy green stuff at the bottom of the lake isn’t algae. Those are weeds, and though people seem to hate the feeling of their feet touching them, those weeds might be necessary for the health of the lake.

According to Greenwood County Lake Manager Julie Davis, Greenwood County Lake Management surveys and inspects the invasive plant species yearly. The surveys and inspections include identifying and eliminating aquatic plant species that disrupt the natural ecosystem, impair use of areas and affect native beneficial plants.

Though most people don’t like weeds touching their feet or getting stuck in their boat propellers, some of the weeds in Lake Greenwood are important in maintaining a healthy habitat.

Greenwood County Lake Management tries to maintain native plant species as they eliminate invasive, noxious plants. Native plants, according to South Carolina Department of Natural Resources information, are great fish and bird food and help to properly oxygenate the water.

Each year, Greenwood County Lake Management has an approved aquatic invasive weed management plan for Lake Greenwood. The plan includes chemical, physical and biological controls.