The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is working to manage an invasive plant in the Iowa Great Lakes. As the ice melts, the D-N-R plans to tackle about 80 acres curly leaf pondweed in East Okoboji Lake using an aquatic herbicide and a boat that cuts and harvests the weeds. The D-N-R’s Mike Hawkins says there’s no way to destroy the weed completely, but they’ll clear as much as they can to improve lake access.
When curlyleaf pondweed starts to grow in the fall, it produces oxygen underwater and creates habitat for fish. As the plant dies back in summer, it takes that oxygen out of the water and can pose a threat to those fish. Hawkins says the plant does have its benefits.
Last year, the DNR treated 60 acres in the Iowa Great Lakes, though about 700 acres are impacted by the weed.
