About aquatic weeds
Aquatic plants are an important part of the ecosystem in rivers, waterways and lakes. They provide food and a safe habitat for animals as well as helping to reduce the erosion of riverbanks and absorb pollution. Some plants may have been deliberately introduced for ornamental reasons; other plants just seem to appear!
Aquatic plants only become aquatic weeds when they grow excessively and spoil the appearance and quality of the watercourse.
Invasive aquatic weeds cause the following problems:
- Increased risk of flooding and water logging of land that can persist even when the weed has appeared to die back
- Silting up of watercourse impeding flow and increasing the need for dredging
Invasive weeds interfere with boats, fishing and other forms of recreation - Weeds and algae can become detached and float downstream blocking pumps, sluices and filters
- Some aquatic weeds can deoxygenate water killing fish and other aquatic animals as well as causing serious odour problems
- Rapid growth of aquatic weeds suppresses other species of aquatic plants
Control of aquatic weeds doesn’t need detailed knowledge of every aquatic plant but applying the following principles:
Identifying the weed – see our section on the different weeds to help you identify what you have.
Habitat and lifecycle of the aquatic weed – where and how the weed grows
Cause of the weed problem – is it run-off from neighbours or your site
Timing of weed control – when is the best time of the year to take action
Cutting and gathering of the aquatic weed and / or applying approved herbicide – use of Truxor machine and applying herbicide at the most appropriate time and quantity.
