FWC conducts aquatic plant control on Alligator Lake

May 20, 2019

Suggested Tweet: May 21 & 22 @MyFWC will conduct aquatic plant control on Alligator Lake in Lake City. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/24630dc #Florida #InvasivePlants

 

Alligator Lake in Lake City. FWC photo 

FWC conducts aquatic plant control on Alligator Lake

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is scheduled to conduct aquatic plant control on Alligator Lake in Lake City May 21 and 22, weather permitting. The FWC will treat invasive hydrilla in the Columbia County lake in areas where it is encroaching on beneficial native submersed aquatic plants and where it is impacting access to navigation.

Planned treatments of hydrilla will be conducted for navigation and access in boat trails along the north side of the dike, inside the north marsh along the dike, the canoe launch access canal, and around the north boat ramp access and fishing pier. Biologists anticipate treating approximately 30 acres of hydrilla.

Application of Aquathol and diquat herbicides will be made by subsurface injection. These herbicides are approved for use in lakes by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

There is a 3-day irrigation restriction and a 3-day drinking restriction inlake waters. There is a 5-day restriction for irrigation to food crops and production ornamentals. There are no restrictions for fishing or swimming.

Hydrilla is an invasive aquatic plant easily spread by boats throughout the state’s lakes and rivers. It can clog waterways, making recreational activities difficult or impossible, and competes with beneficial native plants. Managing and treating it is necessary for the health of Florida’s waters and to enable continued recreational boating and other aquatic activities. 

The FWC manages hydrilla on a lake-by-lake basis using a collaborative approach. Management efforts weigh the benefits that low to moderate levels of hydrilla can provide for fish and wildlife plus the desires of various stakeholder groups against the impact this invasive plant can have on native plant communities, access and navigation, flood control, and management costs.

Based on input received from recent public listening sessions, FWC staff  is implementing a variety of enhancements to the agency’s Aquatic Plant Management Program. Go to MyFWC.com/AquaticPlants to find out more about invasive plant management.

For general waterbody information, fishing forecasts, virtual tours, plant control operation schedules and annual workplans, boat ramp information, and more, visit the “What’s Happening on My Lake” website at MyFWC.com/Lake.

For more information about the Alligator Lake treatment, contact Chris Boever, FWC invasive plant management biologist, at 386-754-1664.