Aquatic Weed Management

If you haven’t encountered pond weeds and algae in your pond, you are among the lucky few. Excessive growth of invasive plants not only harms a lake or pond’s ecosystem, but also can destroy its aesthetic beauty and curtail recreational activities such as swimming and fishing. Floating plants can overgrow to the point that they cover the pond’s surface, blocking out light and cutting off oxygen to the fish. And while algae are an important part of the food chain in balanced amounts, they can lead to harmful algae blooms if left unmanaged.

Native to Asia, this invasive aquatic plant can be found on every continent except Antarctica. First found in Florida in 1959, these plants have spread throughout the state. Hydrilla rapidly chokes out native plants and can be difficult and expensive to remove, so early detection is key to get the best results.

This native Florida species is a dense submerged plant that can have a negative effect on water quality, curtail recreational activities, disrupt aquatic habitats, and push out many other native plants. The delicate stems fragment easily and re-sprout in high and low nutrient pond water. If left to their own devices, they can rob the water of oxygen that may harm other native plants and cause fish kills.

Unlike most plants, invasive curly-leaf pondweed thrives in low-light water conditions. It creates a surface mat that robs other plants of oxygen. Its turions (dormant buds) can attach to boats and hitch a ride, making it easy for them to spread.

Accidentally introduced in the US in the early 1900s, Eurasian Watermilfoil made its way to Florida by the 1940s, possibly introduced as an ornamental species. It is easily spread on water sports equipment. These plants can thrive in a wide range of habitats as long as they get plenty of light. They are generally found in nutrient-rich lakes or ponds, where they create a large mat-like floating canopy that pushes out native plants.

If you live near a lake or pond in Florida, and even if you don’t, you are probably familiar with toxic cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae). The state has been plagued with many blooms over the years. Cyanobacteria looks like paint spilled across the surface of a pond or lake. There are quite a few harmful algal species, but the most commonly found genera include Aphanizomenon, Microcystis, Anabaena, and Planktothrix, – all of which can grow quickly in warm water that is rich with nutrients. Foul odors and bad-tasting drinking water are common concerns associated with this problematic algae, but it can also create toxins that are extremely dangerous to humans and deadly to pets, fish, and wildlife. In some cases, even inhaling the toxins can cause respiratory irritation.

This floating aquatic plant can be found in nutrient-rich lakes and ponds throughout Florida. There are five species of duckweed commonly seen in local waterbodies: common duckweed, giant duckweed, landoltia duckweed, watermeal, and mosquito fern/azolla. When allowed to grow uncontrolled, duckweed rapidly reproduces and develops a thick mat on the surface of the waterbody, which often leads to fish kills and endangers wildlife.

Native to South America, giant salvinia thrives in slow-moving, nutrient-rich, warm freshwater and aggressively spreads through fragmentation. This invasive, free-floating clustered plant forms a thick, floating canopy that blocks out sunlight and depletes dissolved oxygen levels. Giant Salvinia features oblong, chain-like leaves with sharp hairs. Because it reproduces by plant fragmentation, it is often unintentionally and easily spread by boats, aquatic equipment, and animals.

Also known as common reed, phragmites australis is a highly invasive tall grass. It can blight ponds, lakes, wetlands, and marshes throughout Florida. If untreated, this perennial grass often grows as high as 16 feet tall and forms dense, impenetrable monocultures. The plant invades by taking up space and creating a complex root system that can take years to fully eliminate. It secretes acid into the soil that destroys other species of plants so that it can outcompete them. This disrupts the ecosystem and makes it difficult for wildlife to find food sources. Phragmites are often confused with the non-native invasive, Neyraudia.

Bushy Pondweed, also known as southern naiad, has dense, abundant branches, purple or deep green leaves, and a robust root system. This submersed plant can grow 12 feet underwater, especially in areas that get a lot of sunlight. The plant spreads through seeds and fragmentation and can keep beneficial plants and fish populations from thriving by depleting dissolved oxygen.

This invasive species was introduced in the US as an aquatic ornamental plant. In addition to Florida, it is now found in freshwater systems throughout the southeast, California, and Washington state. In Florida, this aggressive grower had the upper hand for about 100 years. It is now generally well-controlled with the help of aquatic experts but requires vigilant management to keep it at the lowest possible levels so that lakes and ponds remain healthy and functional.

A customized SOL Pro Plan encompasses a wide array of services and solutions to keep your waterbody balanced and beautiful. Water quality testing, nutrient remediation, algae and weed treatments, shoreline and buffer management, and aeration equipment maintenance are just a few of the strategies that may be implemented as part of your customized plan. Contact the aquatic experts today to start designing your program.