The Southwest Florida Water Managemet Distrit (District) in cooperation with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be treating hydrilla on the Lake Panasoffkee Outlet River March 31 and April 1, weather permitting.
Hydrilla will be controlled on the Outlet River, which flows from Lake Panasoffkee to the Withlacoochee River. The aquatic herbicide Aquathol K will be applied. There are no restrictions on the use of treated water for swimming, fishing or irrigating turf, ornamental plants and crops. Do not use Aquathol K treated water for chemigation. Notices of the treatment will be posted at public access points along the river.
Hydrilla is a troublesome, invasive aquatic plant from Southeast Asia that was introduced into Florida lakes and rivers during the late 1950s. It is a fast-growing submerged plant that expands quickly and produces dense mats at the water surface, which impacts boating, recreation, water flow, native plant communities and dissolved oxygen levels. This treatment has been scheduled to control dense stands of hydrilla, which may impede water flow.
For more information, please call the District at (352) 796-7211 or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at (352) 726-8622.
For general waterbody information, aquatic plant control operation schedules and annual workplans, fishing forecasts, virtual tours, boat ramp information and more, visit the “What’s Happening on My Lake” website at myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/habitat/invasive-plants/.