1. Controlling Aquatic Plants

2. When left uncontrolled, aquatic plants Impair recreational uses Cause foul odors and bad taste to drinking water Cause fish kills Stunt fish growth Reduce water depth as plants die Increase nuisance insect populations Decrease property values Cause accidental drowning Block water flow in irrigation and drainage ditches

3. A problem when vegetation covers more than 20-25% of shallow area more than 50% of a body of water

4. Two groups of aquatic plants Algae Flowering Plants

5. Algae Microscopic algae (phytoplankton) Filamentous algae (moss) Chara (stonewart)

6. Flowering plant categories Emergent plants Rooted floating plants (emergent) Free floating plants Submersed plants © George F. Russell @ PLANTS

7. Emergent plants rooted in sediment most of foliage above water cattails, bulrushes, willows most “wetland” plants are emergent ©USDA, NRCS @ PLANTS

9. © USDA NRCS, 1995 Midwestern Wetland Flora @ PLANTS

10. Rooted floating plants lilies, spatterdock rooted in sediment leaves and flowers float on water surface © USDA, NRCS

11. Free floating plants duckweed, water meal not rooted in sediment freely float in water © USDA, NRCS, 1997 Northeastern Wetlands Flora @ PLANTS

12. Submersed plants elodea, pondweeds rooted in sediment only flowering structure emerges above water surface © USDA, NRCS, 1997 – Northeastern Wetlands Flora @ PLANTS © NRCS @ PLANTS

13. Pond Management– What’s your goal? Recreational fishing Swimming & boating Wildlife habitat / aesthetics Livestock water supply Aquaculture Storm water management

14. Aquatic Plant Control – Physical Benthic barriers Drawdown Mechanical removal Dredging Dyes

15. Aquatic Plant Control – Biological Grass carp

16. Aquatic Plant Control – Chemical Identify the problem plant Use only EPA registered and approved products Read and follow all label directions Timing –late spring, early summer Temperature –Over 65° Retreat?

17. Calculating treatment area Herbicide applications made on two parameters– Surface area basis for control of rooted floating and emergent plants Volume basis for control of algae and submersed plants

18. Surface area Rectangular area acres = length (ft) x width (ft) 43,560 ft 2 Circular area (radius measured in feet) acres = 3.1416 x radius 2 43,560 ft 2 Triangular area acres = ½ base (ft) x height (ft) 43,560 ft 43,560 = number of square feet per acre

19. Depth Measure – don’t assume Measure at intervals, average together

20. Volume Acre-feet = surface area (acres) x average depth (ft) Example: Area = 240 ft x 120 ft 43,560 ft= 0.66 acre Average depth = 2+4+9/3 = 5 ft Volume = 0.66 acre x 5 ft = 3.3 acre-ft

21. Amount required Pounds required = 2.7 lb x ppm desired x acre-ft (from label) Example: Required dose is 2 ppm. Amount = 2.7 lb x 2 ppm x 3.3 acre-ft = 16.2 lb of product

22. Permits Private applicator permit Purchase and apply restricted-use pesticides to privately owned lake or pond, or drainage ditch. Commercial application of pesticides (for hire) requires a commercial license, Category 5. For information on pesticide permits contact Office of Indiana State Chemist 765/494-1492

23. IDNR permit A permit from IDNR is required when a lake resident treats more than 625 sq. ft; more than 25 linear ft along shore and in water deeper than 6 ft. a biological organism (grass carp) is used to control plants. mechanical control is used in areas larger than 625 sq. ft.

24. IDNR permit Obtained from Division of Fish & Wildlife $5 filing fee IDNR Fish & Wildlife 402 W. Washington St., Rm. W273 Indianapolis, IN 46204 317/232-4093