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Aquatic Vegetation Management
Aquatic vegetation is found in most lakes and ponds and is beneficial to the natural ecosystem in moderate amounts. Vegetation is needed for food production and cover for fish. Aquatic plants produce oxygen, stabilize bottom sediment, protect the shoreline from wave erosion, and serve as a feeding and nesting habitat for waterfowl.
However, it can also become so abundant that it becomes unsightly, interferes with recreational use, and creates an unhealthy lake environment. ACI recommends treatment of vegetation when greater than 15-25% of the lake bottom and surface are covered, or if aquatic vegetation is causing aesthetic problems. ACI biologists utilize two primary controls for aquatic vegetation: biological and chemical.
One of the most inexpensive and effective controls for rooted vegetation in warmwater ponds is the grass carp. ACI biologists have found that high stocking rates of triploid (sterile) grass carp have been very effective at controlling problem vegetation on lakes and ponds that experience heavy aquatic vegetation problems. This fish feeds primarily on aquatic plants, and can eat two to three times its body weight each day. Since these grass carp are imported certified sterile, they cannot reproduce and overpopulate the lake. ACI biologists can adjust stocking rates to provide the desired amount of vegetation to control. Stocking rates vary from lake to lake and depend on a variety of factors such as lake size, water quality, amount and type of aquatic vegetation present, and size of fish to be stocked.
Typically, the most effective control of all types of aquatic vegetation is chemicals. Although no single all-purpose chemical exists to control all aquatic weeds, ACI biologists are thoroughly trained in proper plant identification, which is essential in selecting the best chemical for a specific vegetation problem. Because many of our clients grow trophy-sized fish in their lakes, our chemical applicators must carefully monitor water quality and adjust chemical application rates accordingly to avoid loss of any fish. Therefore, all of our biologists are licensed as certified applicators and go through rigorous testing on a regular basis.
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