Invasive plant threatens summer fun

Two weeks ago, my friend and I packed a picnic and made plans to take her kids to Wallace Lake in Berea, Ohio, for a day at the beach, complete with paddleboat rides on the water. When we got there, the boats were chained up on the shore — apparently grounded until further notice. “No watercrafts are allowed on the water at the moment,” the lifeguard explained. “We’re trying to prevent the spread of an invasive plant.”

According to a Cleveland Metroparks press release issued yesterday, the culprit, Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), is a highly invasive aquatic weed that researchers believe came from Africa or Southeast Asia. It is often called the “perfect” aquatic weed because of its ability to grow rapidly under just about any conditions. Unfortunately, the plant grows so fast that it chokes out all other plants and animals in an affected body of water.

Luckily, the kids quickly got over their disappointment over not being able to go out on the water. And while the fight against the spread of the weed is not finished, the Cleveland Metroparks has given the okay to resume paddleboat rides at least until the end of the 2012 season.

Meanwhile, treatment is ongoing. The herbicide, SONAR, is being added to the lake at very low concentrations over a period of approximately 30 to 60 days. These treatments will likely need to occur for several years until the Hydrilla has been eradicated.

“Researchers in Ohio who have been on the look-out for this plant, suggest that Hydrilla is not presently wide-spread, and aggressive control efforts in Wallace Lake have a good chance of eradicating it and halting it,” says Cleveland Metroparks Chief of Natural Resources John Mack. “Cleveland Metroparks adopted an early detection/early control approach to new invasive plant invaders in its 2009 Invasive Plant Management Program Plan. Hydrilla represents the first significant occurrence of a new invasive plant that warrants full implementation of this approach since this program was adopted.”

The following actions are being taken to limit the spread of Hydrilla and may cause interruptions to visitors’ summer recreation plans:

Boats: All watercraft brought by visitors will be prohibited until it is determined that there is little or no risk of spread of Hydrilla from Wallace Lake. Cleveland Metroparks kayaks and paddleboats will continue to be used within the restricted buoyed area of the lake during the remainder of the 2012 season because Cleveland Metroparks controls the placement and cleaning of these boats. The restriction on boating is likely to continue through September.

Fishing: Fishing will be prohibited during the active treatment period, which will continue through August 26. Signs will be posted.

Swimming: There are no restrictions in the current beach area. Officials say the low concentration of the herbicide provides little or no risk to swimmers.

To find out more information about the actions being taken at Wallace Lake, call 216-635-3200.