Issue 3•October 2004 Keeping you informed about the land and water we care about.
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This issue’s content:
1. Hydrilla Q&A’s
2. Claytor Lake Annual Drawdown.
3. NRLT’s Meetings on Claytor Lake
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1. Hydrilla Q&A’s
Hydrilla is an unfortunate topic, but it’s one we need to bring up.
What’s hydrilla?
Hydrilla is a non-native invasive water plant that was introduced to North American
water-ways in the 1950’s. It is originally from Asia and was introduced to North
America as an aquarium plant. It thrives in the conditions found in North America
and spreads very aggressively. One way to think of hydrilla is like “water kudzu”.
Is it in our lake?
Unfortunately, yes. Here’s a picture from the upper lake.
Why should I be concerned about it?
Hydrilla can grow very aggressively. It has been known to grow 25 feet in
length--meaning it can infest water that deep. It can clog waterways making it
difficult or impossible to use the body of water for swimming, boating or fishing.
How does it spread?
Unfortunately, in many ways and this is why it is so tenacious. Hydrilla spreads by
seeds, tubers, and fragments. A chopped off stem from a hydrilla plant can
re-root downstream.
What is FOCL doing about it?
FOCL has commissioned a survey of the lake that has found it in 87 acres which is
about 2% of Claytor Lake’s 4500 acres. It’s a small percentage of the lake, but in
all likelihood it is in more areas. FOCL is discussing hydrilla management practices
with companies that do that kind of work.
Skip Wiegersma (left) of Aquatic Nuisance Plant Control, Inc. and Dr. David Grubar of Biological
Monitoring discuss hydrilla infestation in Claytor Lake during the September FOCL Board Meeting.
Special thanks go to Dr. Grubar for dedicating his time to studying this problem for us.
What can we expect to see regarding hydrilla in the future?
Once hydrilla enters a lake, the current wisdom on the subject is that it can not
be eradicated, but must be managed through a lakewide, concerted hydrilla
management program. Management can include using herbicides, mechanical
harvesting, and/or introducing species of fish or insects that feed on hydrilla
to control the spread of the weed.
What can I do to help with this aquatic nuisance?
Get involved with FOCL. Let FOCL know if you find infestations. Don’t spread it
by inadvertently carrying some of it with you on your boat. Talk to others about it.
Educate yourself about hydrilla and encourage others to learn about it.
Where can I find out more about hydrilla?
You can google “hydrilla” and you’ll find many links. Here’s a couple of starters:
http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/hyvepic.html
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/plants/docs/hy_verti.html
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2. Claytor Lake Annual Drawdown.
The current plans for the annual drawdown are as follows:
November 1 - 6: AEP will bring the lake down 5’ below full pond
November 6 – 21: the lake will be kept at 5’ below full pond (3 weekends)
November 21 – 27: the lake will be allowed to return to full pond
The drawdown schedule is subject to change depending upon weather conditions.
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3. New River Land Trust’s Meetings on Claytor Lake
Want to save your family lands? Protect the scenic character of Claytor Lake?
Harvest thousands of dollars in cash without selling off lots? You can learn about
conservation programs and tax credits that can be turned into cash at a series of
landowner meetings being held across the New River watershed. The first
meeting will be held in the Claytor Lake area:
When: Tuesday, Nov. 9 from 7-9 p.m.
Where: Draper Fire Department
For: Landowners in the Draper/Allisonia/Hiwassee/Barren Springs area
All landowners are invited to attend. Come hear from other landowners, agricultural
officials and conservation organizations. Refreshments will be provided.
Additional meetings will be held in Independence for the areas of Mouth of Wilson,
Elk Creek, Fries and Galax on January 11 from 7-9 p.m.; in Austinville for the
Ivanhoe, Wythe, Hillsville area on Feb. 15th; and for the Dublin-Giles area on March
15th. Locations for these meetings will be announced in subsequent newsletters.
For more information, call the New River Land Trust at [540] 951-1704 or
nrlt@newriverlandtrust.org.
