Torpedo Grass has been named by the State of Florida (FWC) as their worst invasive species costing over $2,000,000/year for treatment. Unlike Cuban bulrush which floats, Torpedo grass grows deep into the bottom and is spread by rhizomes. Chemical treatment in the water is totally ineffective. It will turn the grass brown, but it does not kill the roots, and it quickly returns. Florida is managing it in some places with prolonged drawdowns followed by chemical treatment. This is not possible on Lake Seminole because of the water needs of the nuclear power plant on the Chattahoochee River.
Mechanical removal, as demonstrated by these before and after pictures, is the only effective treatment method. The aquatic harvester, as seen in operation below, removes the Torpedo grass by the roots/rhizomes and will effectively keep it from coming back for many years. The harvested material was hauled off-site at the property owners expense for disposal. Once removed, the sandy bottom is restored and made available for spawning fish.
Areas like this have built up since hurricane Michael. First comes the aquatic vegetation and then terrestrial plants and trees and then loss of the aquatic habitat. This over growth happened over a five-year period reducing access to the lake and diminishing property values.
In addition to removing hundreds of tons of aquatic invasives, tons of structural debris from hurricane Michael, lost underwater, were also removed to improve recreational access and safety.
Forty-four (44) residential lake front lots were cleaned up, at the expense of the residents, between Seminole State Park and Cummings Landing. Because the Stewards of Lake Seminole Inc. is a 501 (c) ( (3) non-profit organization, and because the residents signed up so they could be done in succession, the total cost was less than $20,000, or less than $500/lot average.
The importance of these pictures is that it shows everyone working together to solve an invasive problem; Federal, State and Local governments, with the citizens of the community.
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