2005 Year in Review

Pondweeds Giving You Fits?

Source: Gary Letterly, Natural Resources Educator, latterly@uiuc.edu

A new problem with area ponds (besides lack of rain) is the appearance of various summer-aquatic weeds. To avoid future confusion with nomenclature, there is a particular problem with a pond weed called..... pondweed.

Usually not a big problem, low water levels and early warm conditions have helped this aquatic weed develop and strangle many area farm ponds. Sago pondweed or leafy pondweed samples are showing up in large numbers for identification at the local Extension office.

Complicating the problem are the limited choices in aquatic weed control products and the lack of aquatic weed expertise. Thus the confusion of pond weeds with pondweed.

The old standby of copper sulfate to control algae, pond scum, and some other small aquatic weeds is not effective on pondweed. I have noticed the label of at least one elemental copper product claiming pondweed control. Under low infestations, it may at best suppress growth. In this case, performance limits expressed by the label are between you and the manufacturer.

You may need to find a source of Diquat, Sonar, Hydrothol, or Aquathol. Take extreme care and caution using these products. In many instances users have claimed these products will work well beyond the time limits listed on their label. With the heat of summer upon us, rapidly dying and decaying aquatic weeds from a too successful application will exacerbate low oxygen conditions in ponds often resulting in fish-kills.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
August 2, 2005