NO WATER IN SIGHT - The massive amount of hydrilla vegetation covers the water at the Ewing Park boat ramp, which is closed at the present time. These plants can spread rapidly through a lake or waterway with potentially devastating consequences. In the area shown above, it was covered with water and only clumps of hydrilla was visible. (Photo by Sheila Sanders)
Aquatic invaders didn't come from outer space, just Asia
Hydrilla is one of the fastest-growing invasive aquatic plants, and is now found in 100 Texas water bodies, including Ewing Park, located 3 miles west of Etoile on Texas 103 at the northern end of Sam Rayburn Lake.
"Aquatic invaders" sounds like one of those science fiction flicks from the 1950s that still pop up late-night on cable channels. But there's nothing fictitious about the damage these invaders can cause in a lake or river.
These plants can spread rapidly through a lake or waterway with potentially devastating consequences.
"We went to Ewing Park just a week ago and there were only a few clumps in the water," said Roy Sanders, a Diboll resident, who along with his wife Sheila, visit there quite often. "When we returned this week, the boat ramp was closed because you couldn't get in or out of the water there."
According to Howard Elder, Aquatic Habitat Biologist withTexas Parks and Wildlife, The increase of water hyacinth and possibly common salvinia in the Etoile Boat Ramp area is primarily due high water levels and the relocation of plants from upstream areas. "A proposal to conduct herbicide treatments in the area has been submitted and treatment efforts should commence the first of August. Chemical is being provided by the Sam Rayburn US Army Corps of Engineers." Elder said.
Many local and area residents are familiar with hydrilla, which is one of the fastest growing invasive aquatic plants, and the problems it has caused in waters of East Texas including Toledo Bend. But invasive aquatic plants are a problem statewide as well.
According to a report from the Lower Colorado River Authority, (LCRA Hydrilla is not the only invasive exotic plant plaguing Texas waterways and lakes. Giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta) and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) are causing serious problems as well. The giant salvinia, which can double in population size in about a week, is found in several East Texas water bodies, including Toledo Bend, the state's largest reservoir.
Exotic aquatic plants can threaten water recreation and hurt communities that depend on recreation for their economic livelihood. The plants can ruin boat engines by clogging intakes and jamming steering and generally make lakes and rivers unusable and unsafe for boaters and swimmers. Game fish populations can be diminished by poor water quality caused by the plants as they die and decay.
An overgrowth of aquatic plants can cause flooding and dramatically increase the operating costs of drinking water plants, power plants and dams by clogging intakes and damaging equipment.
LCRA also says that Most invasive exotic aquatic plants are introduced into waterways accidentally. First recorded in Texas in 1969, hydrilla is not native to the United States, but was brought initially to Florida from Asia as an exotic aquarium plant decades ago. Once introduced into a wild habitat, the plants spread quickly because native fish and wildlife don't view them as a food source, and they may need less light or fewer nutrients than native plant species.
"Boat trailers and boat propellers are the most common way exotic plants move from one body of water to another," said John Wedig, LCRA senior aquatic scientist. "In fact, we usually see the first evidence of invasive plants around boat ramps."
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