floatplane spread invasive species – Aquarius-Systems https://aquarius-systems.com Surface Water Management Equipment Tue, 10 Mar 2026 20:50:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://aquarius-systems.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/cropped-favicon-32x32.png floatplane spread invasive species – Aquarius-Systems https://aquarius-systems.com 32 32 Elodea Spread in Alaska Raises Concern for Fish Habitat https://aquarius-systems.com/two-species-of-elodea-could-be-the-demise-of-alaskas-pristine-waters/ Mon, 04 Dec 2023 21:53:16 +0000 https://aquarius-systems.com/?p=6765 Two species of elodea have been found recently in a handful of lakes and sloughs in Alaska. While native in some of the lower 48 states, these species are the first invasive aquatic weeds in Alaska.

A big concern is how the alien weed will degrade fish habitat for species such as salmon, trout and grayling. Another is how to stop the spread.

Floatplanes are a diabolically effective way for the plant to colonize new lakes and rivers. In September, Steve Swenson, with the US Forest Service conducted an aerial study landed on elodea-infested Martin Lake. Before departing the aquatic plants were carefully removed from the rudders of the float plane.

However, shortly after takeoff a piece of elodea was noticed on the rudder. Unfortunately there was nothing that could be done and shortly before landing at Hinchinbrook Island, the hitch hiker was gone.

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