Delaware News

Downstate Public Ponds to be Treated for Invasive Aquatic Weed Hydrilla

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Fish and Wildlife | News | Date Posted: Monday, May 22, 2023


Invasive hydrilla underwater choking off a pond and fish habitat-USFWS photo

Hydrilla is an invasive aquatic weed that, if not kept under control, can choke ponds while crowding out beneficial plant species that comprise fertile fish habitat. Photo: USFWS

 

With inland water temperatures rising and aquatic plants emerging, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will begin treating certain downstate public ponds for the foreign invasive aquatic weed hydrilla starting May 29, weather permitting. Hydrilla is a non-native plant that likely entered the state through the aquarium trade. Uncontrolled hydrilla can choke ponds and other waterways, crowding out beneficial plant species and preventing fishing and boating access.

Ponds to be treated this year by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife are Griffiths Lake, Tub Mill Pond, and Abbotts Mill Pond, all near Milford. Signs will be posted at the boat ramp of each pond on the day of treatment

Sonar, an aquatic herbicide containing fluridone, will be used to treat the ponds for Hydrilla. Sonar, registered and approved for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has been applied in Delaware since the 1980s and proven to be environmentally-compatible and effective for controlling hydrilla. Sonar does not pose a threat to wildlife, including fish, and there no restrictions on fishing or the consumption of fish caught from waters where the treatment has been applied.

The only special restriction is for not using water from the treated ponds for irrigation for 30 days after the date of treatment. Residents and farmers whose properties are along and directly downstream of treated ponds should not use the water to irrigate their gardens, lawns, or agricultural lands during that period to avoid possible damage to their plantings. Landowners with permits to use water from these ponds for irrigation will be directly notified before treatment.

To prevent the spread of hydrilla and other invasive aquatic vegetation throughout the year, anglers and boaters are encouraged to remove all hydrilla and other aquatic plants from their boats, trailers and gear before leaving the boat ramp area from the ponds to be treated.

For more information, contact the DNREC Fisheries section at 302-739-9914.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 68,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram,  Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov

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Downstate Public Ponds to be Treated for Invasive Aquatic Weed Hydrilla

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Fish and Wildlife | News | Date Posted: Monday, May 22, 2023


Invasive hydrilla underwater choking off a pond and fish habitat-USFWS photo

Hydrilla is an invasive aquatic weed that, if not kept under control, can choke ponds while crowding out beneficial plant species that comprise fertile fish habitat. Photo: USFWS

 

With inland water temperatures rising and aquatic plants emerging, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will begin treating certain downstate public ponds for the foreign invasive aquatic weed hydrilla starting May 29, weather permitting. Hydrilla is a non-native plant that likely entered the state through the aquarium trade. Uncontrolled hydrilla can choke ponds and other waterways, crowding out beneficial plant species and preventing fishing and boating access.

Ponds to be treated this year by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife are Griffiths Lake, Tub Mill Pond, and Abbotts Mill Pond, all near Milford. Signs will be posted at the boat ramp of each pond on the day of treatment

Sonar, an aquatic herbicide containing fluridone, will be used to treat the ponds for Hydrilla. Sonar, registered and approved for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has been applied in Delaware since the 1980s and proven to be environmentally-compatible and effective for controlling hydrilla. Sonar does not pose a threat to wildlife, including fish, and there no restrictions on fishing or the consumption of fish caught from waters where the treatment has been applied.

The only special restriction is for not using water from the treated ponds for irrigation for 30 days after the date of treatment. Residents and farmers whose properties are along and directly downstream of treated ponds should not use the water to irrigate their gardens, lawns, or agricultural lands during that period to avoid possible damage to their plantings. Landowners with permits to use water from these ponds for irrigation will be directly notified before treatment.

To prevent the spread of hydrilla and other invasive aquatic vegetation throughout the year, anglers and boaters are encouraged to remove all hydrilla and other aquatic plants from their boats, trailers and gear before leaving the boat ramp area from the ponds to be treated.

For more information, contact the DNREC Fisheries section at 302-739-9914.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 68,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram,  Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov

###

image_printPrint

Related Topics:  , , , , , ,


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.