Lake Norman Hydrilla Campaign, a plan for Success

If you have ever launched a boat at a public access ramp on Lake Norman, you have seen the signs that advise you on removing any vegetation from your boat before entering the lake and as soon as you pull  you boat back out. But do you really know why? Well, think of it as not shaking hands with someone when you have a cold. Just as you can spread a cold through such a minor personal contact, you can just as easily spread unwanted plant life into our lakes and streams by introducing even very small pieces of plant life from the hull or out drive of your boat. 

Hydrilla is a very aggressive water plant that can clog water intakes, entangle boats, and make swimming dangerous. But thanks to a coordinated effort (and funding campaign), several local organizations, governments, and businesses have created a model of success in managing hydrilla in Lake Norman. Hydrilla is a nationwide problem for many waterways but several years ago, sterile, grass eating carp were introduced to rid LKN of hydrilla. Now after years of monitoring and only small investments by Duke Power, local governments, and interested parties, hydrilla is really only a minor issue. Yes we will need to monitor it for years to come (a sprig can lay dormant for up to 10 years) but we know how to manage this threat without using pesticides or harmful chemicals and that is a great story to tell. 

Lake Norman is such a wonderful place for us all to enjoy. Keeping the waterways clean and safe is just a smart thing to do now and for future generations.