Giant salvinia discovered on Bringle Lake
AUSTIN — State officials have confirmed the presence of giant salvinia on Bringle Lake in Texarkana after being alerted to a potential infestation of the invasive species.
Giant salvinia, a highly invasive, free-floating aquatic fern that can double in size in less than a week under ideal growing conditions, is a major threat to aquatic ecosystems in Texas. The invasive plant produces thick mats making fishing, boating, swimming, and other water recreation nearly impossible.
“Managing the Bringle Lake giant salvinia infestation will be challenging as the plant has spread throughout much of the lake and is mixed with numerous aquatic plant species,” said John Findeisen, TPWD’s Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Team Leader in Brookeland. “We should be able to gain control of this infestation this summer, but eradication is likely impossible,”
Currently the giant salvinia is not limiting angling or boating access, but there is a chance of plants hitchhiking from one lake to another on a boat, trailer, or other equipment.
Use of giant salvinia weevils at Bringle Lake is not a control option, as the weevils will not survive the colder, winter temperatures in that part of the state. This limits control options to herbicides and mechanical removal.
The first herbicide treatment is slated for the end of the month, focusing on mats of giant salvinia.
“Our goal is to gain control of the salvinia on Bringle Lake as quickly as possible,” Findeisen said. “Controlling giant salvinia when mixed with other aquatic plants can be complicated, especially when those other species comprise the majority of the aquatic habitat.”
He said to protect to protect other aquatic plants, they will have to limit herbicide and rely on other management techniques, such as physical removal.
Anglers and boaters recreating on any of the 21 Texas lakes infested with common or giant salvinia should be particularly vigilant about taking preventive actions since both species spread easily and grow rapidly.
“We need lake users to thoroughly clean, drain, and dry their boats and equipment before leaving the boat ramp to prevent new infestations at other East Texas lakes,” Findeisen said.
The transport of aquatic invasive species can result in legal trouble for boaters. Boaters are required to drain all water from their boat and onboard receptacles, including bait buckets, before leaving or approaching a body of fresh water.
For more information on how to properly clean, drain and dry boats and equipment, visit the TPWD YouTube channel for a short instructional video. To learn more about common and giant salvinia along with other invasive species in Texas, visit tpwd.texas.gov/ landwater/stop-invasives/.