Successful Eradication of Hydrilla in U.S.
Optimism about eradicating hydrilla in Cayuga Inlet and stopping its spread is based on success in other parts of the country. Professionals in California and elsewhere have been generous in sharing their knowledge and experience, which we have used in form
ulating the management plan for the Cayuga Lake Watershed. The swift action after hydrilla was found here in August 2011 - education started immediately and the first herbicide treatment in October 2011- was critical to our probably success.
California
This report describes California's integrated pest management approach to the eradication of hydrilla. Hydrilla was first discovered in 1976. Hydrilla has been discovered in 29 separate waterbodies and eradicated from 20 of them. Page 8 of the report list discoveries by individual county and each projects current status. Lake County's Clear Lake (43,000 acres) is similar in size to Cayuga Lake. The Clear Lake eradication effort is described on pages 15-26 and shows how persistent hydrilla can be but also demonstrates how a coordinated effort can overcome an infestation. California has eradicated hydrilla from 20 waterbodies and will be adding more to the eradicated list soon.
Washington: Pipe and Lucerne Lakes of King County
Pipe and Lucerne Lakes 2009 Hydrilla Eradication Project Annual Report
With a combination of surveys and herbicide treatments, the lakes' hydrilla population (found in 1994) finally started declining by 2003 and by 2009, no hydrilla was found in either of the lakes.
