The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be treating water hyacinth and water lettuce on portions of the Peace River during the weeks of June 8-12 and June 15-19.
District staff will treat the portion of the river from Bartow to Ft. Meade during June 8-12. The portion of the river from Ft. Meade to Zolfo Springs will be treated during June 15-19.
Treatment involves the spot application of the aquatic herbicide Reward to scattered infestations. Treatment areas will be posted with warning signs displaying treatment dates and applicable water use restrictions. Treated river water should not be used for drinking, watering livestock or irrigating lawns and ornamental plants for one day following treatment. Treated water should not be used to irrigate food crops for five days following treatment. Water use restrictions apply to river water only, not to tap or well water.
Water hyacinth and water lettuce are troublesome aquatic plants from other countries that were introduced to Florida. Both species have the potential to expand rapidly and cause problems in many other tropical and subtropical countries where they have been introduced.
If these invasive plants are not controlled, recreational activities, navigation, flood control and fish and wildlife populations may be negatively impacted. The management of these plants on the Peace River is a cooperative effort between the District and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
For more information, please call the District at 352-796-7211 or 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4537.