Delta waterways – Aquarius-Systems

Stockton Struggles with Water Hyacinth Despite Treatments

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 17:46:53 +0000

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 Area company to mechanically remove it; removing over 375,000 pounds of the invasive water hyacinth

The infestation has prevented yacht groups from visiting downtown Stockton events and according to Stockton Alliance Director Leandro Vicuna, the problem is hurting local businesses.

Water Hyacinth Could Power Energy Projects in California

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 20:21:29 +0000

Water hyacinth has been the scourge of the Delta in recent years, but by this summer it could be providing the power to city lights. A pilot project is in the works to harvest it for biogas.

Port of Stockton Environmental Manager Jeff Wingfield says the port is proposing a pilot project to harvest the hyacinth and convert it into methane to power a cogeneration plant.

Wingfield says the port already harvests 2,500 tons a year which is hauled off for composting.

He says, “If we can improve that with new operation of the landsite excavator, I’m hoping to improve that by about ten times at a cheaper cost.”

Wingfield says the port is seeking a $300,000 grant from the Delta Conservancy for the pilot project.

Paul Koehler with Pacific Ethanol says its Stockton plant could eventually turn the invasive weed into electricity.

The American Hippo Bill and Water Hyacinth Control Efforts

Wed, 05 Jul 2017 01:12:00 +0000

In 1909, the United States was suffering a shortage of meat. At the same time, Louisiana’s waterways were being choked by invasive water hyacinth. The solution seemed to be simple, the American Hippo Bill. Hippos could be imported to the United States to eat the water hyacinth and people can eat the hippos.

The bill did not pass as hippos are ill-tempered apex predators and not cooperative for ranching. However, the idea was not completely ridiculous.

In 2015, hippopotamuses from Botswana were used in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta as a biological control of water hyacinth. Researchers also used Florida manatees and giant guinea pig-like rodents from Brazil called capybaras to control the invasive aquatic plants.

In their native habitat, hippos mainly eat aquatic plants, including hyacinth, which they devour at a rate of 200 to 300 pounds a day. Special measures needed to be taken to keep onlookers at bay as the ill-tempered hippos are highly territorial and would likely attack people who encroach on their turf.