Last year, high, turbid waters and a layer of sediment carried into the lake by flooding and rainfall reduced weed growth, explained Cushing. With clear water and low lake levels this summer, those familiar with the bay were expecting more weed growth than they’ve seen, but Cushing believes the sediment may also be helping to suppress weed growth this summer.

SAAWA removes 400 to 500 tons of weeds from the lake each summer with the help of an Aquarius Systems Aquatic Weed Harvester. The weeds contain a lot of water, Cushing explained and once they dry out, 40 to 50 tons of organic matter remains. Removal of the weeds prevents the weeds from dying and decaying in the water where they would release phosphorus and nitrogen, the very nutrients that feed algae blooms.

Currently the weed growth is outstripping our ability to pull them out of the lake, but we are convinced there are benefits to removing as much growth as possible, before it decomposes, spoiling water quality, increasing phosphorus as well as producing conditions for blue green algae growth.

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Run off in Cape Coral canals comes from many places. It could be your street, your roof or your lawn. The recycled water used for irrigation is loaded with nitrogen and phosphorous which causes plants to thrive and contributes to algae outbreaks.

Last week Lee County Hyacinth Control cleared out about a miles worth of yellow pond lily from the Shelburne Canal in Cape Coral, Florida. Trapped inside that vegetation, was the equivalent of 10 pounds of fertilizer.