Alabama Lake Opens After Plant Invasion Forced 9-Month Closure

Alabama Lake Closed 9 Months

Plant Doubles Every 2 Days Photo Source: Le Loup Gris (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Giant Salvinia - 2-4 Days to Double

Photo Source: Kyle Robles (CC BY-SA 4.0) Photo Source: Kyle Robles (CC BY-SA 4.0) Brazilian floating fern creates oxygen-choking mats

84-Acre Lake Overtaken

Photo Source: Miller Dark(CC BY-SA 3.0) Washington County - August 5, 2024 closure

One of the most aggressive aquatic plants

Conservation scientists' textbook crisis Photo Source: Cirosantilli2 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Ecosystem Impact

Photo Source: Eutrophication & Hypoxia (CC BY 2.0) Photo Source: Eutrophication & Hypoxia (CC BY 2.0) Blocks sunlight" • "Reduces oxygen" • "Kills beneficial plants

Sale & Transport Banned

Photo Source: Wikimedia ( CC BY-SA 4.0 ) Federal law prohibits giant salvinia.

Winter Drawdown Strategy

Water levels lowered to dry invasive plants. Photo Source: Agencia Brasil

Fluridone + Diquat Herbicides

Photo Source: Flickr (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) Photo Source: Flickr (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) Licensed applicators target surface mats.

Permits Jump 67%

Photo Source: Splintercell10 ( CC BY-SA 4.0 ) $3 to $5 - First increase in 16 years

Bank Fishing Returns May 24

Boat ramps stay closed Photo Credit: Robert So (Pexels)

Clean, Drain, Dry

Photo Credit: Stan Shebs (CC BY-SA 3.0) Photo Credit: Stan Shebs (CC BY-SA 3.0) Remove fragments between fishing locations.

Monthly Monitoring Continues

Photo Source: Flickr (CC BY 2.0) Report suspicious plants Contact WFF: (334) 242-3471 Learn more