Lake Victoria – Aquarius-Systems

Salvinia Threat Emerges in Lake Victoria Waters

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 20:16:39 +0000

A new invasive type of water hyacinth, Salvinia spp., has been discovered in Lake Victoria. It reproduces rapidly, doubling its biomass within 8 days due to high nutrient levels caused by human activities such as improper waste disposal and deforestation. Over 36 tons have already been removed, but the plant continues to spread, threatening fish populations, water transport, and biodiversity by depleting oxygen and reducing water quality.

The newly discovered Salvinia spp. in Lake Victoria likely entered the lake through contaminated fishing gear, boats, or water currents connecting nearby ecosystems. Unlike the regular water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), which forms thick mats on the surface, Salvinia spp. spreads faster and is more resilient under varying environmental conditions. It depletes oxygen more aggressively, suffocating aquatic life and reducing biodiversity. This variant poses a greater ecological threat and requires immediate control measures.

The species negatively impacts fishing, tourism, and water supply, making urgent action necessary.

Swamp Devil Tackles Water Hyacinth on Lake Victoria

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 16:26:36 +0000

LakeLine
A publication of the North American Lake Management Society
Fall 2000

Innovative Technologies for Lake Management

Africas’ Lake Victoria is the second largest freshwater lake in the world. It is less than 260 feet at its deepest point. For nearly ten years a growing water hyacinth infestation has wreaked havoc on the neighboring countries. Massive islands have formed that blow around from one region of the lake to another, like big green icebergs. When one of these masses settles into a port or bay, it paralyzes local fishing and transportation.

The Solution

Aquarius Systems proposed using three Swamp Devil Aquatic Vegetation Shredders to perform the work. The Swamp Devil is a powerful machine fitted with two circular cutting blades on the bow that also serve to propel and steer the vessel. By using a special double blade system, the machine could shred the water hyacinth into small pieces.

Read: Managing Aquatic Plants on a Massive Scale

Aquarius Systems Featured on National Geographic for Water Hyacinth Work in Kenya

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 19:17:17 +0000

Aquarius Systems was featured on a National Geographic Cable Channel program broadcast in the United States on April 2nd and 5th, 2003.

The Swamp Devil Aquatic Vegetation Cutter (formerly known as the Cookie Cutter) has been used on Lake Victoria since 1998 to help control dense mats of water hyacinth. A film crew from National Geographic visited our base in Kisumu for three days to shoot exciting footage of the equipment in action. While they were out on the lake, they happened to film a rescue made by the Aquarius staff, who retrieved two fishermen who had been trapped in their boat for two days, stuck in the dense weed growth.

The exotic water hyacinth has severely impacted the Lake Victoria region from both an environmental and an economic perspective.

Watch the Program