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Aquatic Plant Management

Aquatic Plant Management

Aquatic Plants in our Reservoirs

Aquatic plants play an important role in aquatic systems worldwide because they provide food and habitat to fish, wildlife and aquatic organisms. Plants help stabilize sediments, improve water clarity, and add diversity to the shallow areas of lakes. Duke Energy recognizes the ecological importance of aquatic plants and helps manage in accordance with state management plans.

Duke Energy helps monitor aquatic plant populations through surveys or public reports. Data is communicated with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) and the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES). When deemed necessary, we partner with state agencies to help meet defined management goals.

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:

  1. Clean: Inspect your gear before entering the lake for aquatic plants and before you leave. Don’t let aquatic plants hitchhike!
  2. Drain and Dry: Be sure to drain the motor, bilge, and any other areas that may harbor aquatic plants.
  3. 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.
  4. Report any suspicious looking aquatic plants growing to the appropriate state agency.

It’s a Group Effort

We work with North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES),  North Carolina State Parks, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS), as well as universities including North Carolina State University and Clemson University. 
Stop aquatic hitchikers

Contact Information

If you have questions or concerns regarding aquatic plants in Duke Energy reservoirs or would like to report a suspected sighting, please contact our Aquatic Plant program at AquaticPlants@duke-energy.com.

For inquiries regarding algal blooms or health concerns, please reach out to: