FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
JANE CHRISTYSON - 216-635-3229 -or- 216-780-9592
BOB ROTATORI - 216-635-3263 -or- 216-339-1699
Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is a highlyinvasive aquatic weed that researches believe came from Africa orSoutheast Asia. It is often called the �perfect� aquatic weedbecause of its ability to grow rapidly under just about anyconditions. Unfortunately, this perfect plant grows so fastthat it chokes out all other plants and animals in an affected bodyof water.
�Researchers in Ohio who have been on the look-out for thisplant, suggest that Hydrilla is not presently wide-spread, andaggressive control efforts in Wallace Lake have a good chance oferadicating it and halting it,� said Cleveland Metroparks Chief ofNatural Resources John Mack. Wallace Lake is in Mill StreamRun Reservation in Berea. �Cleveland Metroparks adopted anearly detection/early control approach to new invasive plantinvaders in its 2009 Invasive Plant Management Program Plan,� Mackcontinued. �Hydrilla represents the first significantoccurrence of a new invasive plant that warrants fullimplementation of this approach since this program wasadopted.�
The herbicide SONARTM is being used to treat WallaceLake. It is added to the lake at very low concentrations forlong periods of time, generally 30 to 60 days. It will begradually absorbed by the plant until it is killed. There are norestrictions on human ingestion of or contact withSONARTM at the low concentration that will be used atWallace Lake, and the treatment will also act against othernuisance aquatic weeds while not effecting more beneficial aquaticplants. These treatments will likely need to occur for severalyears until the Hydrilla has been eradicated.
The following actions at Wallace Lake are being taken to limitthe spread of Hydrilla:
Boats - all watercraft brought by visitors will beprohibited until it is determined that there is little or no riskof spread of Hydrilla from Wallace Lake. Cleveland Metroparkskayaks and paddleboats will continue to be used within therestricted buoyed area of the lake during the remainder of the 2012season because Cleveland Metroparks controls the placement andcleaning of these boats. The restriction on boating is likely tocontinue through September.
Fishing - will be prohibited during the activeSONARTM treatment period, which will continue throughAugust 26. Signs will be posted.
Swimming - will continue with no restrictions inthe current beach area.
For more information, call 216-635-3200.