Hydrilla Library

This collection of resources on hydrilla links to key information such as webinars, press releases and documents on aquatic plant management. Links to many of the items can also be found in context on the other hydrilla webpages. Some  file sizes are quite large. Since half of the Internet connections in Tompkins County are dial-up, large file sizes are usually noted. The sections include:

• Hydrilla in Cayuga Inlet
• Press Releases about Hydrilla in Cayuga Inlet
• General Information about Hydrilla
• Information about Aquatic Weed Management in General
• Articles in the Press
• Resources for teachers

HYDRILLA IN CAYUGA INLET
Explanation of the threat hydrilla poses: testimony to Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the 2012-13 Executive Budget by Craig Schutt, Tompkins Co. Soil and Water Conservation District.

2011 Post-application Water Monitoring explained.  NYSDEC, TC DOH & TC SWCD cooperate on monitoring endothall levels in the water. Results.

Water monitoring protocol (500 kb pdf) for endothal supported by Tompkins Co. Dept. of Health and NYSDEC

Hydrilla Attacks Cascasdilla and Inlet, a 15-minute video  featuring an on-site explanation of the hydrilla outbreak by Holly Menninger, Coordinator of the NYISRI. Holly explains the threat hydrilla presents, the urgency of the situation, what should be done to combat it, and what the rest of us can do, particularly if we own boats. (by Owl Gorge Productions, 9/25/11)

Introduction to Hydrilla  in the Cayuga Inlet webinar is available for online viewing (9/2/11). The 36-minutes presentation covers: Why this plant is so bad, Where it is, Clean boating practices, What else can be done, and The importance of outreach to spread the word and not the plant!

A science-based review to guide management actions (516kb pdf), with photos, created by NYISRI

DEC letter to marina owners.

PRESS RELEASES

Hydrilla Treatments Continue in 2013. By James A. Balyszak. Tompkins Weekly 05/20/2013

Guest Viewpoint: Boaters can help prevent spread of invasive species. By James A. Balyszak. The Ithaca Journal05/23/2013

Hydrilla Endothal Treatment News Release (June 18, 2012)

State legislators recognized for securing funds to fight hydrilla (March 29, 2012)

O'Mara: state budget includes funding to combat  threat to Finger Lakes environment and economy (March 28, 2012)

Task force testimony to NYS legislature makes case for funding (February 8, 2012) and letter from Tompkins County Administrator on the rationale and urgency of funding (February 14, 2012)

Mayor's Emergency Declaration (October 5, 2011)

Treman Boat Launch Closed (September 29, 2011)

Cass Park paddle docks closed (September 23, 2011)

Boating discouraged (September 17, 2011)

Hydrilla discovered in Cayuga Inlet (August 19, 2011)

Pre-Season  Hydrilla Updates (Submitted to the Ithaca Journal)

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT HYDRILLA
Does Hydrilla Grow an Inch Per Day? Glomski, L.A. and M.D. Netherland. 2011. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management. (3.46 MB pdf)

Hydrilla linked to eagle deaths via bluegreen algae toxicity (618 kb pdf). Research by Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. 

Hydrilla, Brazillian Elodea and Native Elodea ID sheet, from NYSDEC

Hydrilla update with native look-alikes, adapted from Invasive Weed Identification Guide by CLWN

The Unnatural History of Hydrilla reveals the introduction of hydrilla to the US and shares stories of its rapid spread. 

GENERAL AQUATIC WEED MANAGEMENT

A Citizen's Guide to Aquatic Plant Management 

Aquatic Weeds: Nuisance and Necessary (396kb PDF)

Invasive Weed ID Guide text (947kb PDF)  A guide to distinquishing aquatic invasive weeds from their native, beneficial look-alikes. Front and back covers.  by the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network

Online version of Diet for a Small Lake by NYS Federation of Lake Associations

ARTICLES IN THE PRESS

The Ithaca Journal, April 25, 2013: New hydrilla treatment targets unsprouted tubers

Cayuga Lake Watershed Network News: 2012 issue 3 (hydrilla news featured on pages 1, 3, & 7, events on 8)

Ithaca Times, October 31, 2012: Hydrilla hot topic at Tompkins County Council of Governments meeting

The Ithacan, September 7, 2012: Hydrilla treatments prove effective for Cayuga Inlet

The Daily Star, August 16, 2012: Letter to the Editor: Seward has helped fight invasive plant (TCSWD Craig Schutt's response to Paul H. Lord's article below)

• The Daily Star, August 2, 2012: Letter to the Editor: Invasive plant must be stopped in Cayuga Inlet (Paul H. Lord, Cooperstown)

Observer/Review, August 7, 2012: Boaters should take steps to prevent the spread of hydrilla

Soil and Water Conservation News, August 2012: Cayuga Inlet Hydrilla Treatment (by TCSWD's Resource Conservation Specialist, Angel Hinickle)

Ithaca Journal, July 10, 2012: Finger Lakes stewards battle against invasive species

Ithaca Journal, July 10, 2012: Hydrilla herbicide treatment to resume this week

Ithaca Journal,  July 3, 2012: Schumer: Hydrilla is threat to Finger Lakes region

Ithaca Journal, June 27, 2012: Year's first round of herbicide hits hydrilla in Cayuga Inlet 

Ithaca Journal, June 25, 2012: Ithaca municipalities could need money fronted for complete hydrilla treatment

Ithaca Journal (Guest Viewpoint), June 2, 2012: Pesticides are not the answer to hydrilla

• Response by Tompkins County Water Resource Council, June 25, 2012: Eliminating hydrilla from inlet is attainable goal

Ithaca CityScene Community Newsletter, June 2012: Hydrilla Battle Continues

The Post-Standard, May 27, 2012: The Plant Nibbling on Ithaca

Auburn Citizen, May 22, 2012: Schumer: Use federal funds to help fight hydrilla.

Ithaca Journal, May 22, 2012: Hydrilla cleanup funds caught in red tape. State, federal aid promised but not in hand.

Tompkins Weekly (Signs of Sustainability article), May 21, 2012: The Battle to Eradicate Hydrilla Continues

Public Works, May 15, 2012: Fast-growing aquatic weed threatens New York's Finger Lakes

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 19, 2012: 8 bald eagles die of disease linked to weed

YNN Central New York, March 28, 2012: State budget include funding to stop spread of Hydrilla

Weed Science Society of America, March 19, 2012: On the Brink of an Environmental Disaster: Weed Science Society of America Highlights Progress against Hydrilla Infestation in Finger Lakes Region

Ithaca Journal, January 16, 2012: Hydrilla discoverer earns distinguished service award

Ithaca Journal, October 11, 2011: Hydrilla Treatment Starts in Cayuga Inlet

Ithaca Journal, October 9, 2011: Hydrilla Treatment to Start Tuesday

Resources for Teachers

Exotic Aquatics on the Move: invasive species lessons focused on the Great Lakes and matched to national geography standards. Includes Hydrilla info. Last updated 2002.

Understanding Invasive Aquatic Weeds:  An interactive online activity booklet of information and fun activities for audiences of all ages.  It features five of the worst aquatic weeds found in North America, accompanied by interactive links to key concepts and terminology, video clips, and games that help illustrate the serious problems associated with these plant species. Lots of useful information even though it has a southern focus. Print copies may be available from the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network

The Florida Invasive Plant Education Initiativeprovides educators with the information and resources needed to teach students about the harmful impacts some non-native, invasive plants are having on our natural areas and neighborhoods. Lots of useful information even though it has a southern focus. 

Last Updated: June 3, 2013