Washington County Public Fishing Lake temporarily closing after discovery of federally banned, invasive aquatic plant species

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August 10, 2024

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has announced that one of the state’s public fishing lakes will be shutting down temporarily due to the spread of a highly invasive aquatic plant.

The Giant Salvinia now found in Washington County Public Fishing Lake is a floating fern native to southern Brazil. According to invasive.org, the plant made its way to the U.S. originally as an ornamental aquatic plant. The information also said that Giant Salvinia can be spread to new bodies of water on boats and fishing gear as well as the dumping of aquaria.

The sale, transport, and release of the plant are prohibited in the United States by Federal law.

The agency gave the following description of the plant species:

“One of the most aggressive aquatic plants, giant salvinia is a fast-growing invasive species that has the potential to double in size every two to four days. The plant can quickly take over a pond or lake by forming thick mats on the surface of the water that block sunlight and reduce oxygen levels for fish and other beneficial aquatic plants. Uncontrolled, giant salvinia can overtake aquatic ecosystems and negatively impact outdoor recreation.”

During the closure, WFF Fisheries Section staff will draw down the lake to dry out any Giant Salvinia around the perimeter of the lake. The drawdown will last through the winter to ensure the exposed plants have been destroyed. Giant Salvinia on the lake’s surface will also be treated with aquatic herbicide. The lake will remain closed until the plants has been controlled.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten