Kirksville City Council members voted to approve a resolution to allow weed harvest operations at Forest Lake in Thousand Hills State Park, Missouri, as the invasive curly leaf pond weed is not only negatively affecting recreation activities, but also impacts water quality and the drinking water treatment process.
In 2018, the city entered into a three year program with the weed control company to remove the plant. Kirksville Public Works Director Glenn Balliew says the mechanical harvesting has proven effective. He adds there are fewer weed mats in the lake then when the program first began.