Elodea Infestation Threatens Floatplane Operations at Lake Hood

/ Published in Aquatic Invasive Species, Lake & Waterway Management
Aquatic weed harvester and approaching float plane
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

Elodea Spread in Alaska Raises Concern for Fish Habitat

/ Published in Aquatic Invasive Species, Lake & Waterway Management
EH-220 harvesting aquatic weeds in Alaska
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

Elodea Invasion Threatens Alaska’s Sand Lake Waterways

/ Published in Aquatic Invasive Species, Lake & Waterway Management
Invasive elodea displaces native aquatic vegetation.
Residents watched as the water on Sand Lake steadily turned greener. Weeds wrapped around rudders of float plants and choked the canal area. The bottom of the lake eventually vanished from view as Alaska’s first know submerged invasive aquatic plant, elodea reared its ugly head. Ecologists warn that the plant, known for its dense growth

Elodea Invasion Could Cost Alaska’s Salmon Industry Millions

/ Published in Aquatic Invasive Species, Recreation & Fisheries
Aquatic Plant Elodea
A common aquarium plant illegally dumped into Alaskan waters that has adapted to cold weather could threaten wild salmon habitat and cost the commercial fishing industry hundreds of millions of dollars. A recent study conducted by ISER, the Institute of Social and Economic Research, found that if not managed, the cost of the elodea invasion