A Message from Our Leader: Thermodynamics and Biology

Summer Brings Recreation and Harmful Algal Blooms

Native Plants Return as Lagoon Recovers

Ross River Harvester Continues to Deliver Results

Upcoming Conferences

• Aquatic Plant Management Society 66th Annual Conference
• Indiana Water Summit 9th Annual Summit

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A Message from Our Leader: Bidirectional Harvester Seat

Hydrilla and Water Hyacinth Impact Fishing Communities

More Questions About Milfoil Herbicides

Invasive Carp Continue to Cause Problems

Wetlands Matter for Migratory Birds

Upcoming Conferences

• Maine Lakes Annual Conference
• Northwest Wisconsin Lake Conference
• Aquatic Plant Management Society 66th Annual Conference

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A Message from Our Leader: Happy Retirement Gary

Storms Are Sending More Debris Into Waterways

Our Dependence on Plastic Is Showing

The Future of Waterway Maintenance Still Needs People

Upcoming Conferences

• New York State Federation of Lake Associations 44th Annual Conference
• Maine Lakes Annual Conference
• Aquarius Systems Aquatic Weed Harvesting Safety & Maintenance Seminar

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A Message from Our Leader: Earth Day

Aquatic Plants Keep Water Healthy

Aquatic Plants Help Filter Water

Are All Invasive Species Bad?

Earth Day Starts with Clean Water

Upcoming Conferences

• Wisconsin Lakes & Rivers Annual Convention
• Michigan Lakes & Streams Association 65th Annual Conference
• New York State Federation of Lake Associations 44th Annual Conference
• Maine Lakes Annual Conference
• Aquarius Systems Aquatic Weed Harvesting Safety & Maintenance Seminar

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A Message from Our Leader: Challenges and Solutions are Evolving

World Water Day

PFAS Found in Private Wells

When “Safe” Studies Are Retracted

From Streets to Streams

Upcoming Conferences

• Virginia Lakes & Watershed Association Annual Conference
• Western Aquatic Plant Management Society 44th Annual Conference
• Indiana Lakes Management Society 37th Annual Conference
• Wisconsin Lakes & Rivers Annual Convention
• Michigan Lakes & Streams Association 65th Annual Conference
• New York State Federation of Lake Associations 44th Annual Conference

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A Message from Our Leader: Better Data & Smarter Tools to Restore Waterways

Small Northern Ponds and Winter Water Health

Farmers Help Protect Indiana Water Quality

River Heat Waves

Upcoming Conferences

• Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society 46th Annual Conference
• Clean Rivers, Clean Lake 21st Annual Conference
• Illinois Lake Management Association Annual Conference
• Pennsylvania Lake Management Society 36th Annual Conference
• Virginia Lakes & Watershed Association Annual Conference
• Western Aquatic Plant Management Society 44th Annual Conference
• Indiana Lakes Management Society 37th Annual Conference
• Wisconsin Lakes & Rivers Annual Convention

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A Message from Our Leader: Small, Consistent Changes can Improve Water Quality

Better Choices for Cleaner Waterways

How Lake Washington Improved Its Water

Upcoming Conferences

• Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society 46th Annual Conference
• Clean Rivers, Clean Lake 21st Annual Conference
• Illinois Lake Management Association Annual Conference
• Pennsylvania Lake Management Society 36th Annual Conference

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A Message from Our Leader: Clean Water is a Gift

A Greener Way to Give This Season

The Hidden Cost of AI on Water Resources

Could Your Lake View Be Adding Years to Your Life?

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Managing Eurasian watermilfoil often requires a long-term commitment and a combination of management techniques. Mechanical harvesting, hand removal, bottom barriers, biological controls, and aquatic herbicides are all commonly used to reduce infestations and improve waterway access. Each method offers advantages and limitations, and many lake managers rely on integrated management programs that combine multiple approaches to achieve their goals.

One herbicide that has gained significant attention in recent years is ProcellaCOR®, a selective aquatic herbicide designed to target invasive plants while minimizing impacts on many native species. Lake associations and resource managers across the country have used ProcellaCOR to combat persistent milfoil infestations, often reporting successful control of invasive growth and improved conditions for recreation and native plant recovery.

However, as with any management tool, questions remain about potential long-term effects and environmental persistence.

Findings from Lake George

Following a ProcellaCOR treatment in Lake George, New York, researchers conducted independent sampling of water, sediment, and aquatic plants to better understand how the herbicide behaved within the ecosystem after application.

According to the study, degradants associated with the herbicide were detected in the upper layer of sediment five months after treatment. Researchers also reported finding the herbicide’s active ingredient, florpyrauxifen benzyl, in deeper sediment layers more than a year after application.

These findings have generated discussion among lake residents, scientists, and resource managers regarding how herbicide compounds interact with lake sediments and whether long-term accumulation may occur under certain conditions.

Balancing Benefits and Concerns

For many lake communities, ProcellaCOR has become an important tool in the ongoing effort to control invasive milfoil. Dense infestations can significantly impact recreation, property values, water flow, and native aquatic plant communities. Effective control methods can provide substantial benefits when invasive species threaten the health and usability of a lake.

At the same time, some residents and environmental advocates have expressed concerns about possible unintended consequences of repeated herbicide use. Questions have been raised regarding sediment persistence, impacts on non-target organisms, and the long-term effects on lake ecology. While current research continues to evaluate these issues, many stakeholders are calling for additional monitoring and independent studies to better understand the full environmental picture.

The Importance of Integrated Aquatic Plant Management

The debate surrounding Eurasian watermilfoil management highlights the complexity of aquatic ecosystem stewardship. There is rarely a single solution that works for every lake or waterway. Factors such as infestation size, waterbody characteristics, management goals, budget, and environmental considerations all influence the selection of appropriate control methods.

Mechanical harvesting continues to play an important role in many aquatic plant management programs by physically removing plant biomass from the waterway without introducing chemicals into the ecosystem. Harvesting can improve navigation, reduce nuisance growth, and remove nutrients contained within the harvested vegetation. In many cases, harvesting is used alongside other management strategies as part of a comprehensive aquatic plant management plan.

As research continues and new information becomes available, lake managers, regulators, and stakeholders will need to evaluate all available tools carefully. Ongoing monitoring, transparent reporting, and science-based decision making remain essential for protecting both recreational access and long-term ecosystem health.

The conversation surrounding ProcellaCOR and Eurasian watermilfoil management is likely to continue as additional studies are completed. For lake associations and water resource managers, understanding both the benefits and potential tradeoffs of available management options remains a critical part of maintaining healthy and usable waterways.

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That connection does not stop on land. It continues below the surface of our lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Aquatic plants play a critical role in maintaining water quality and supporting life. They produce oxygen, stabilize sediments, absorb nutrients, and provide essential habitat for fish, waterfowl, and invertebrates. In many ways, they are the foundation of a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Without them, water bodies can quickly lose balance.

However, like any natural system, balance is key. Too little vegetation can lead to erosion, poor habitat, and declining water quality. Too much growth can restrict water flow, limit recreation, and contribute to issues like low oxygen levels and algae blooms as plants die and decompose. Excess nutrients from runoff, changing weather patterns, and other environmental pressures can all shift that balance in the wrong direction.

Managing aquatic plants is not about removing them entirely. It is about maintaining a healthy, functional system. Mechanical harvesting and targeted removal can control excessive growth while preserving beneficial vegetation. Aquarius Systems has worked with lake managers, municipalities, and contractors to remove overgrowth in a way that improves water flow, supports recreation, and helps maintain overall water quality.

Healthy aquatic plant communities lead to clearer water, stronger ecosystems, and better recreational opportunities. Whether you are managing a lake, river, or pond, understanding the role of aquatic plants is an important step toward long term water health.

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