Nuisance Aquatic Plants
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Nuisance Aquatic Plants
A key aspect of being a good environmental steward is monitoring and managing our rivers and lakes for aquatic plants and wildlife. Invasive species threaten the well-being of these systems by impeding recreation, impacting navigation, and/or clogging water intake and control structures.
Aquatic Plants in our Reservoirs
Many invasive aquatic plants have the potential to invade Duke Energy’s lakes and rivers. Typically, these plants were introduced to the United States for use in aquariums and water gardens, and have since spread across the country and into our lakes over time. With no natural controls in the environment, they rapidly spread and can quickly begin to impact our aquatic ecosystems. Invasive aquatic plants can quickly take over, leaving little room for swimming, fishing and boating, which poses severe risk to intakes used for drinking water and power production.
Duke Energy’s Aquatic Plant Management program extensively surveys these lakes during the summer months when the plants typically emerge. When deemed necessary, biological controls, such as stocking triploid grass carp, may be employed to combat newly discovered populations of invasive plants, like hydrilla. In some instances, EPA-approved aquatic herbicides are needed to combat these troublesome invaders. Lowering lake levels during the winter can also be an effective way to control some invasive species of aquatic vegetation. Keep a lookout for our survey crews on your lake.
Help Prevent the Spread of Invasive Aquatic Plants
Invasive aquatic plants can easily spread from lake to lake on boats, boat trailers or by individuals dumping unwanted aquatic plants into the lake.
Here are a few tips to help keep aquatic invaders out of local water bodies:
- Clean: Inspect your gear before entering the lake for aquatic plants and before you leave. Don’t let aquatic plants hitchhike!
- Drain and Dry: Be sure to drain the motor, bilge and any other areas that may harbor aquatic plants.
- Dispose: Do not dump unwanted aquarium or water garden plants into the lake. Throw them away. Anglers should also take care to dispose of unwanted, bait, worms and fish parts into the trash.
- Report: Contact us if you see any suspicious looking aquatic plants growing in local lakes to the Aquatic Plant Management Program Team.
It’s a Group Effort
Duke Energy’s Aquatic Plant Management program partners with multiple groups across the Carolinas to protect our waterways. We work with North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), North Carolina State Parks, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS), South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), as well as universities including North Carolina State University and Clemson University.Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns regarding aquatic plants in Duke Energy Reservoirs or would like to report a suspected sighting, please contact Brett Hartis, PhD (980.875.5424) or Eryn Molloy, MS (980.875.5422) from our Aquatic Plant Management Program or email us at AquaticPlants@duke-energy.com.
View images of non-native aquatic wildlife and see how Duke Energy’s Aquatic Plant Management program is protecting our waterways.
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Nuisance aquatic plants
These plants can impede navigation, clog intake structures and reduce recreational opportunities in our lakes.
Hydrilla
While they may appear harmless, invasive aquatic plants, such as the Hydrilla seen here, can grow rapidly. Hydrilla’s ideal growing conditions take place in over 20 feet of water, each plant can grow more than 100 square inches per day.
Parrot Feather
Parrot Feather, an invasive aquatic plant from South America, can be found in some Duke Energy lakes.
Parrot Feather
True to its name, Parrot Feather has leaves that closely resemble a bird’s feathers.
Invasive plants
While these invasive plants look pretty in a water garden or aquarium, they can quickly impede navigation around docks and piers if released into our lakes.
Alligator Weed
Alligator Weed was brought to the U.S. from South America nearly a century ago. This invasive plant has become largely naturalized across the southeast, making it almost impossible to eradicate.
Aquatic Plant Management program team
Early detection of nuisance aquatic plants is key. Duke Energy works with local and state partners to identify populations of invasive plants through annual surveys of the water systems.
Aquatic Plant Management program team
The Aquatic Plant Management program team uses airboats and sonar technology to survey our lakes and rivers.
Aquatic Plant Management program team
This technology helps find and identify invasive aquatic plants before they become a major problem.
Triploid grass carp
Sterile or triploid grass carp are a safe and effective tool that is used to help manage Hydrilla in many Duke Energy lakes.
White water lily
A number of native plants, such as the white water lily, can be found in Duke Energy reservoirs. These plants have natural checks and balances in place, making them much less of a threat than their invasive counterparts. A great benefit to the fish and wildlife populations in our bodies of water.
Artificial habitat
Our Aquatic Plant Management program works with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and other environmental groups to establish native aquatic plant species while creating other forms of habitats for fish and wildlife.
Artificial habitats
Native plants and artificial habitats can provide a wonderful environment for many different species of juvenile and adult fish without the negative impacts caused by invasive plants.