Weeds
| How did hydrilla get into Lake Asbury and why is it a problem? |
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In the early 60s someone emptied his aquarium into Crystal River and someone else dumped it in a canal in Miami. The hydrilla, which was a popular aquarium plant imported from Asia, went crazy and has clogged Florida's waterways and boat propellers since then. It's blocked sunlight that fish, other water wildlife, and native water plants need for survival. Millions of private and taxpayer dollars have been spent to control this plant. Adding grass carp to the South Lake. Do NOT fish for the grass carp--they are expensive! 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.
What has LAMSBD done about it? We have applied herbicides and have introduced 100s of sterile grass carp--their favorite food is hydrilla. Plus we've installed fish barriers so the carp can't escape. Charles Aquatics applied a heavy load of herbicide at the beginning of June 2007 which knocked it back, but two days later there was three inches of rain. We had scheduled for 1000 carp right after that, but we couldn't get them, and then it got too hot. 985 more carp were stocked in the north lake in September 2007 and more carp are planned for early spring 2008. We have been hampered by a shortage of money to treat the situation fully, but we continue to look at other alternatives. See above for latest update.
What can you do? Meanwhile, please pull any hydrilla that is rooted or that floats up to your property. If you can, get as many of the roots as possible. Yes, it's a lot of work, but we are a community, and together we can make a difference. Hydrilla is an excellent addition to your compost piles and makes a good addition under mulch around (but not touching) trees and shrubs. While you're at it, dip out all those water hyacinths and put them on your mulch pile, too.)
No. Once hydrilla has rooted, it produces tubers in the mud that can grow back again. So what we are after is a balance of carp and herbicide applications to control this noxious plant.
Make sure YOU are not contributing to the lake's problems.
For more information on carp and hydrilla
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Will these actions get rid of the hydrilla?