The City of Tyler Water Utilities Department will treat approximately 22 acres of hydrilla on Lake Tyler East starting tomorrow, Aug. 19 to keep its growth under control. Current surveys indicate that there is in excess of 100 acres of hydrilla on the lake, up from 39 acres in May.
“Our goal is to balance the needs of all stakeholder groups who utilize the lake,” said Greg Morgan, Tyler Water Utilities Director. “Boaters and swimmers prefer to keep the hydrilla to a minimum, whereas the fishing community would like to keep the hydrilla as a habitat for fish. By treating only 22 acres of the more than 100 acres present, we are striking a balance for all involved.”
The targeted treatment will be focused on the populated east shore of the lake that is heavily used by boaters and swimmers, in addition to a boating corridor leading to the Highway 64 boat ramp. The areas that will be treated are those that do not contain other native grasses and the product that will be used to target the hydrilla is Aquathol, a treatment approved by the Federal Drug Administration for use in water sources.
This year’s treatment of 22 acres will cost approximately $31,875, which will be funded by the Tyler Water Utilities maintenance budget from proceeds from the sale of water. The City began treating hydrilla in 2006 as a result of feedback from the community. The first application targeted 30 acres. However, in 2007, nearly half of the lake, 1,250 acres, was covered in the plant and 630 acres were treated at a cost of $366,000. In 2008, treatment was applied to 33 acres of the lake.
Treatment plans are developed in conjunction with Texas Parks and Wildlife who conduct the survey to determine the level of hydrilla in the lake.
“It is important to keep the growth of hydrilla under control as it can be extremely invasive and out-compete native species and cover too large an area,” said Dan Bennett, biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife. “It can decrease sunlight and diminish oxygen which can result in fish kills and be a nuisance for recreational boaters. A certain amount of vegetation is considered good; however, hydrilla has a tendency to get out of control quickly,” he added. “It is much more cost effective to keep it in check that to treat it when it is covering the entire lake.”