Restoration and Management of Lakes and Reservoirs - Hydro-Environmental Analysis: Freshwater Environments - page 483

TABLE 17.3
Usage Suggestions for Selected Aquatic Herbicides

Systems Where
Used Effectively

Plant Species
Response Compound Exposure Time Advantages Disadvantages

2,4-D Intermediate

(18-72 hours) a

Inexpensive,
systemic

Nontarget plants
may be affected

Lakes and
slow-low areas

Selective to
broadleaves, acts
in 5-7 days up to
2 weeks

Diquat Short (12-36

hours) b

Rapid action,
limited drift

Does not affect
underground
portions

Shoreline, localized
treatments, higher
exchange rate
areas

Broad spectrum,
acts in 7 days

Endothall Short (12-36

hours) c

Rapid action,
limited drift

Does not affect
underground
portions

Shoreline, localized
treatments, higher
exchange rate
areas

Broad spectrum,
acts in 7-14 days

Fluridone Very long (30-60

days) d

Very low dosage
required, few label
restrictions,
systemic

Very long contact
period

Small lakes,
slow-lowing
systems

Broad spectrum,
acts in 30-90 days

Glyphosate Not applicable Widely used, few

label restrictions,
systemic

Very slow action,
no submersed
control

Emergent and
loating-leaved
plants only

Broad spectrum,
acts in 7-10 days,
up to 4 weeks

Triclopyr Intermediate

(12-60 hours) e

Selective, systemic Can injure other

nearby
broadleaved
species

Lakes and
slow-low areas

Selective to
broadleaves, acts
in 5-7 days, up to
2 weeks

Source: ERDC, Herbicide overview, Use suggestions for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved aquatic herbi-
cides, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Research and Development Center, Aquatic Plant Information
System, APIS, n.d. Available at http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/apis/HerbicideInformation/HerbicideInfoMain.aspx.
a Green and Westerdahl (1990)
b Westerdahl (1987)
c Netherland et al. (1991)
d Netherland (1992)
e Netherland and Getsinger (1992)

However, these measures including sterilization and coninement are not always effective, as cur-
rently grass carp have been recorded from 45 states; with breeding populations in a number of states
in the Mississippi River basin and elsewhere (Figure 17.13).

17.5.7.2 Alligatorweed Flea Beetles ( agasicles hygrophila )
The alligatorweed lea beetle was introduced into the United States for the control of the invasive
alligator weed ( Alternanthera philoxeroides ). Alligator weed is an invasive species in the United
States, native to South America. It is an emergent or rooted loating plant that invades aquatic areas
and adjoining uplands, growing in thick interwoven mats, sometimes completely covering ponds,
lakes, or canals (Cooke et al. 2005). Alligator weed displaces native vegetation and wildlife habitats,
clogs waterways, restricts the oxygen levels of water, increases sedimentation, interferes with irriga-
tion, and prevents drainage.
Alligatorweed lea beetles are native to Argentina and were irst introduced into North and South
California in 1964 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to control the invasive alligator weed