Cornell Cooperative Extension

Tompkins County
Hydrilla, Hydrilla verticillata
Image by Chris Evans, Bugwood.org

Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata)

Hydrilla: An Invasive Water Weed

Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), dubbed one of the world's most invasive aquatic plants, was found in the Cayuga Inlet in 2011.  The Hydrilla Task Force is working to eradicate hydrilla in the Cayuga Lake Watershed

Map of hydrilla treatment area off Stewart Park

Treatment off Stewart Park

4 acres of hydrilla treated with copper compound August 13. At no time will the herbicide concentration exceed safe water use standards for humans, wildlife, or fish.

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woman with phone and photo of hydrilla

Report Hydrilla Suspects!

Think you've found hydrilla among the Cayuga Lake Watershed? Report a suspect by clicking here!

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Dan Munsell checks a boat for signs of hydrilla at Treman Marine State Park, Ithaca NY, summer 2013

How You Can Help!

Everyone can help in the fight against hydrilla. Learn more about what you can do to stop the spread of this invasive water weed.

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Allied biological, hydrilla treatment

Management Options

There are four main management options for hydrilla: biological, chemical, mechanical, and physical.

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Florida channel cleared of hydrilla

Economic Impacts

Hydrilla can reduce water flow, clog or damage water control structures, reduce fish populations, and compromise recreational uses such as boating & swimming.

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Bloom of cyanobacteria ("blue-green algae"). traces shaped streaks are traces of fish and ducks that run on water, "breaking" the biofilm. The samples emit a strong odor of algae (spirulina type). Location: "Quai du Wault" in Lille, not far from downtown (north of France; Location vai google maps: 50.637485,3.05425)

Blue-Green Algae

Studies have linked invasive hydrilla to a deadly toxin produced by blue-green algae, resulting in illness and death of wild birds and domestic pets.

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Contact

Sharon Anderson
Environment Team Leader
ska2@cornell.edu
(607) 272-2292 ext. 156

Last updated July 26, 2019

Hydrilla

Report Hydrilla Suspects

Think you might have found hydrilla?
Report a suspect! Your reports are a big help toward stopping the spread of this aggressive, invasive plant.

Videos on Hydrilla

Great Lakes Hydrilla Collaborative

 Recorded webinars on Hydrilla such as basic biology, detection, monitoring and more. 

Stop Hydrilla

Stop Hydrilla brochure pg. 1Two-page brochure, STOP HYDRILLA! (471kb pdf), covers the discovery of  hydrilla in Cayuga Inlet, what is being done to eradicate it, and how you can help.

Want Updates?

For updates on the upcoming hydrilla treatment season, sign up for our email list-serve!

Or follow us on Twitter at @StopHydrilla!