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.

What's New

Hydrilla fragments found near Wells College in 3.4 meters of water and along shore

Report Hydrilla Suspects!

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

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.

Management Options

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

Economic Impacts

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

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.

Last updated August 12, 2016

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.

An Intro to Hydrilla

An Introduction to Hydrilla in the Cayuga Inlet webinar is available for online viewing. The 5-part presentation covers:

Why this plant is so bad
How to identify it
Clean boating practices
What else can be done
The importance of outreach to spread the word and not the plant!

Hydrilla in Cascadilla and Cayuga Inlet

Hydrilla Attack, a 15-min. video explains the threat hydrilla presents and the urgency of the situation.

The Hydrilla Task Force

The Hydrilla Task Force of the Cayuga Lake Watershed is working on the strategies and permits needed to try to eradicate the hydrilla before it spreads to the main body of the lake and to other Finger Lakes. CCE-Tompkins and state-wide Cooperative Extension staff serve on the task force.

CONTACT US!

James Balyszak
Hydrilla Program Manager
stophydrilla@gmail.com
(607) 257-2340

Stop Hydrilla

Two-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!

Cornell Cooperative Extension

Tompkins County