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Lake Asbury home page > Weed page (See below for news and updates.) | |
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How did hydrilla get
into Lake Asbury and why is it a problem?
What has LAMSBD
done about it? What can you do?
No, the lake will never be the same: it's seen too much abuse. Make sure YOU are not contributing to the lake's problems.
~ ~ ~ For more information on carp and hydrilla:
Click here for: | |
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News: Charles Aquatics: 1/16/09 Service Report, 12/08 Service Report, 11/08 Service Report, 10/08 Service Report, 09/08 service report
06/17/08 report, 06/17/08 treatment maps, 06/4/08 report from Charles Aquatics. 05/27/08 Doug Charles called in Dr. Haller from the Univ. of FL and Dharmen Setaram, the rep for Aquathol to inspect the lakes. Here's a link to the 05/27/08 report. Here's a letter from Dr. Haller on 06/01/08. On 04/17/08: Charles Aquatics stocked both lakes with 12"-14" triploid grass carp--2,300 in North Lake Asbury and 500 in South Lake Asbury. On 04/14/08: The South Lake draining began to be lowered one foot. This is to allow better treatment of the hydrilla infestation. While the lake is lowered, the overflow drainage valve will be serviced. On 04/16 Charles Aquatics treated South Lake: click here for map of treated area. On 03/26/08: The second application of Aquathol K (83 gallons) was applied to the remainder of North Lake. Click here for the Map. Charles Aquatic's 3/08 report.
This strategy provides untreated areas of the lake for fish to swim to. As the hydrilla dies, the dissolved oxygen in the water will decrease. We have arranged for water sampling and testing for dissolved oxygen.
04/08
map of treated area | |
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2/27/08 Two large containers of Aquathol K were applied to North Lake. Charles Aquatics used two ultra-light air boats to navigate the shallows since the lake is drawn down.
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The hydrilla will start to die with a week and by two weeks, it should be completely knocked down.
This treatment (and the drying in the shallow areas) will kill the vegetative part of the plant, not the tubers. It will come back, but hopefully the carp will be waiting for it as it resprouts. | |
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They found a large area in the center of the lake that was free of hydrilla, even when they dragged an anchor across the bottom. Considering everything, the recommendation is to treat the south end and the eastern fingers with a strong concentration of Aquathol. Two weeks later the western fingers will be treated. As the hydrilla is killed, the rotting vegetation will decrease the oxygen in the water. We will monitor the dissolved oxygen levels and if necessary add water from the South Lake and Lake Ryan for the health of the fish. Treating only half the lake at a time will give the fish somewhere to escape. The lowered level of the lake reduces the acreage to treat. The hydrilla in the shallow portions of the lake will dry out. Neither the drying or the herbicide treatment will kill the tubers, but it will be a shock and will take some time before growing again. We'll monitor the carp and add more as needed. 01/16/08: An emergency LAMSBD board meeting was held with Dr. Haller hydrilla expert from the University of Florida. (Click here for Dr. Haller's follow-up letter.) Considering his recommendations and after consulting with the Mac Tech engineers, the board slowly lowered North Lake by 6 feet and herbicide treatment will be applied in two stages--two weeks apart. | |
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The lower level of the lake provides an opportunity to inspect and repair the overflow valves. |
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It
ended up in Lake Asbury because some careless boater(s) didn't wash
the hydrilla from his boat before launching it. It has fluctuated
over the years depending upon conditions. The dredging in 2006
probably contributed to the hydrilla's success--an unintended consequence.
Will
these actions get rid of the hydrilla? Will the lake ever be the same?
10/4/08
These large gelatinous masses you might have seen in the lake are colonies
of bryozoans. They are related to coral and are good for the lake
because they absorb extra nutrients. They will dry up as the water
turns colder and start again in the spring. Here's a link with more
information: 
02/27/08:
With no rain in the forecast, 463 gallons of Aquathol K was applied
to the south end and eastern fingers of the North Lake. The last
finger and the north end of the lake will be treated in two or three
weeks.
Both
Dr. Haller and the representative from the herbicide company were on
hand to monitor the application. The whole process took several
hours. 
Also
an oxygen monitor was calibrated so we'll be able to monitor the oxygen
levels on a regular basis and bring in more water from South Lake to
add oxygen if we need it. 
2/08/08
Dr. Haller, University of Florida hydrilla expert, two biologists from
Florida Fish and Game Department, the herbicide company rep came together
to inspect the North Lake. Charles Aquatics provided the air boat.
(The lake was lowered about five feet at the time of inspection.)
