The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating water lettuce on the "Rainbow River":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/projects/swim/rainbowriver.php in Marion County during the week of Jan 28-30.
District workers will treat scattered infestations on the river from Rainbow Springs State Park to the Withlacoochee River.
Workers will apply the aquatic herbicide Tribune and post informational signs in the treatment areas noting treatment dates and applicable water use restrictions.
There are no restrictions on the use of treated water for swimming, fishing or boating. Treated river water should not be used for drinking or irrigating turf or ornamental plants for one day following treatment. Treated river water should not be used to irrigate food crops for five days following treatment. Water use restrictions do not apply to well or tap water.
Water-lettuce populations often form large expanses of dense, impenetrable floating mats limiting boat traffic, recreation, flood control, and wildlife use. These dense canopies at the water surface shade out native submersed plant species and can uproot native emergent plants that are important to wildlife. Water-lettuce populations produce ideal breeding environments for mosquitoes.
The management of water lettuce on the Rainbow River is a cooperative effort between the District, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
For more information, please call the District at (352) 796-7211 or 1-800-423-1476.
District workers will treat scattered infestations on the river from Rainbow Springs State Park to the Withlacoochee River.
Workers will apply the aquatic herbicide Tribune and post informational signs in the treatment areas noting treatment dates and applicable water use restrictions.
There are no restrictions on the use of treated water for swimming, fishing or boating. Treated river water should not be used for drinking or irrigating turf or ornamental plants for one day following treatment. Treated river water should not be used to irrigate food crops for five days following treatment. Water use restrictions do not apply to well or tap water.
Water-lettuce populations often form large expanses of dense, impenetrable floating mats limiting boat traffic, recreation, flood control, and wildlife use. These dense canopies at the water surface shade out native submersed plant species and can uproot native emergent plants that are important to wildlife. Water-lettuce populations produce ideal breeding environments for mosquitoes.
The management of water lettuce on the Rainbow River is a cooperative effort between the District, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
For more information, please call the District at (352) 796-7211 or 1-800-423-1476.