Programs

HENDERSON LAKE WEED REMOVAL PROJECT WORKS

BATON ROUGE—The aquatic weed, hydrilla, no longer plagues Henderson Lake in the Atchafalaya Basin, thanks to the success of a special treatment program, state officials announced today. The state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and scientists with the LSU AgCenter reported an 80 percent removal rate within a four-month period of time.

DNR Project Manager Keith Lovell said a herbicide application was used in July to start the attack on the submerged noxious weed found throughout the lake. Both air and boat applications of ‘fluridone’ were used to starve the plant from producing chlorophyll and control its growth, he said.

State Senator Craig Romero obtained legislative approval for the state-funded project and is also requiring that a three-year monitoring effort be conducted. He visited the lake last week to get a firsthand view of the progress. He said restoring the beauty and vitality of Henderson Lake means a great deal to our communities and to those that enjoy fishing and boating in the basin region.

Editors: For more information on this topic, please contact DNR Project Managers Keith Lovell and Kenneth Bahlinger at (225) 342-0202.