[Watersheds] Aquatic Weed Treatment Scheduled at Indian Lake in South Kingstown for Thursday, June 27
Zwarg, Jonathan (DEM)
jonathan.zwarg at dem.ri.gov
Wed Jun 26 09:07:09 EDT 2024
[DEM-logo-small]
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street | Providence, RI 02908 | 401.222.4700 | http://www.dem.ri.gov<http://www.dem.ri.gov> | @RhodeIslandDEM
CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Evan LaCross, 401-799-0100 Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Dem.communications at dem.ri.gov<mailto:Dem.communications at dem.ri.gov>
AQUATIC WEED TREATMENT SCHEDULED AT INDIAN LAKE
IN SOUTH KINGSTOWN FOR THURSDAY, JUNE 27
[A picture containing diagram Description automatically generated]PROVIDENCE, RI - The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is advising the public that Indian Lake in South Kingstown will receive treatment to control an aquatic invasive plant, Hydrilla verticillata<https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2024-06/hydver.pdf>, on Thursday, June 27. The aquatic weed control treatment is specifically targeted for the invasive nuisance plants and does not harm fish or other wildlife.
Fragments of hydrilla, an aggressive aquatic invasive plant. Aquatic invasive plants like hydrilla can outgrow native species, reduce biodiversity, alter fish habitats, degrade water quality, and disrupt recreational activities.
Anglers and boaters are advised to avoid using the pond on Thursday, June 27 when the treatment will be applied as not to impede the state-licensed applicator's airboat and staff. Signs will be posted with information along the shoreline, but the chemical being applied does not limit or restrict boating, swimming, nor fishing. Indian Lake is a 260-acre lake popular with anglers for Largemouth bass and other warm water species.
Aquatic weed infestation is a nuisance to anglers, boaters, and swimmers and can affect proper management of freshwater ponds for wildlife. Hydrilla, first observed in August 2023<https://dem.ri.gov/press-releases/dem-announces-ris-first-detection-aquatic-invasive-plant-hydrilla-indian-lake-south>, is often referred to as "the perfect aquatic weed" because it is so difficult to manage, due to its several different modes of reproduction, and wide tolerance to a range of water conditions. The spread of hydrilla can result in significant ecosystem changes that threaten habitats of fish and wildlife and reduce water quality. Indian Lake was the first waterbody where invasive hydrilla had been identified in Rhode Island. In response to the first detection of hydrilla in RI, DEM received federal grant funding from the US Fish and Wildlife Service<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/weeding-out-invasive-species-reed-touts-133000-for-ridem-to-fight-destructive-aquatic-plants__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!IQ-2_pbr2y2lGEb7MIKYmkIK9jGDSbNr5SczFBB6uIzR1ZqjOnVyrO4QCI1akMuOttmZ1AWbWTVhbudLRy41NRPL6vJRHdH_pcVo$ [reed[.]senate[.]gov]> (USFWS) to help rapidly respond to the new invasive and begin management efforts to treat the plant this summer. DEM will also educate boaters that they are the first line of defense helping prevent the spread of hydrilla by ensuring their recreational equipment is clean of any plant fragments. The most efficient and cost-effective management strategy to further control hydrilla from spreading<https://dem.ri.gov/press-releases/dem-reminds-boaters-and-anglers-clean-gear-after-invasive-hydrilla-plant-found> throughout Rhode Island is to prevent the plants from being moved by people out of Indian Lake.
Hydrilla easily multiplies from small plant fragments and can quickly spread when contaminated boats travel to other lakes and ponds. The transport of any plant or plant part into or out of any Rhode Island waterbody on boats, vessels, other water conveyances, vehicles, trailers, fishing supplies, or any other equipment is also prohibited<https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/250-60-00-10>. It is recommended that all boaters thoroughly clean their vessels and equipment of attached weeds before and after using the freshwaters of the state. For more information on preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species, click here<http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/water/quality/surface-water/invade.php>.
For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit http://www.dem.ri.gov<http://www.dem.ri.gov/>. Follow DEM on Facebook<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!IQ-2_pbr2y2lGEb7MIKYmkIK9jGDSbNr5SczFBB6uIzR1ZqjOnVyrO4QCI1akMuOttmZ1AWbWTVhbudLRy41NRPL6vJRHaqquuIq$ [facebook[.]com]>, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.
###
Evan LaCross, MPA
Programming Services Officer, Public Affairs
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence RI 02908
401-799-0100 (c)
evan.lacross at dem.ri.gov<mailto:evan.lacross at dem.ri.gov> (E); http://www.dem.ri.gov<http://www.dem.ri.gov/> (W)
Follow DEM on Facebook<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM/?fref=ts__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!IQ-2_pbr2y2lGEb7MIKYmkIK9jGDSbNr5SczFBB6uIzR1ZqjOnVyrO4QCI1akMuOttmZ1AWbWTVhbudLRy41NRPL6vJRHbEBxjgc$ [facebook[.]com]>, on Instagram<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.instagram.com/rhodeisland.dem/__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!IQ-2_pbr2y2lGEb7MIKYmkIK9jGDSbNr5SczFBB6uIzR1ZqjOnVyrO4QCI1akMuOttmZ1AWbWTVhbudLRy41NRPL6vJRHYmaSXT9$ [instagram[.]com]>, and on Twitter<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://twitter.com/RhodeIslandDEM__;!!KKphUJtCzQ!IQ-2_pbr2y2lGEb7MIKYmkIK9jGDSbNr5SczFBB6uIzR1ZqjOnVyrO4QCI1akMuOttmZ1AWbWTVhbudLRy41NRPL6vJRHcHc9MSu$ [twitter[.]com]>.
[Logo Description automatically generated]
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://listserve.ri.gov/pipermail/watersheds/attachments/20240626/c4d26e80/attachment-0001.html
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 1621779 bytes
Desc: image001.jpg
Url : http://listserve.ri.gov/pipermail/watersheds/attachments/20240626/c4d26e80/attachment-0003.jpg
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image002.png
Type: image/png
Size: 31668 bytes
Desc: image002.png
Url : http://listserve.ri.gov/pipermail/watersheds/attachments/20240626/c4d26e80/attachment-0001.png
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image003.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 242675 bytes
Desc: image003.jpg
Url : http://listserve.ri.gov/pipermail/watersheds/attachments/20240626/c4d26e80/attachment-0004.jpg
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image004.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 22986 bytes
Desc: image004.jpg
Url : http://listserve.ri.gov/pipermail/watersheds/attachments/20240626/c4d26e80/attachment-0005.jpg
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Aquatic Weed Treatment Scheduled at Indian Lake in South Kingstown for Thursday, June 27 -6-25-24.pdf
Type: application/pdf
Size: 296978 bytes
Desc: Aquatic Weed Treatment Scheduled at Indian Lake in South
Kingstown for Thursday, June 27 -6-25-24.pdf
Url : http://listserve.ri.gov/pipermail/watersheds/attachments/20240626/c4d26e80/attachment-0001.pdf
More information about the Watersheds
mailing list