Aquatic Weed Control

 Intro   |   Identifying Weeds   |   Controlling Weeds   |   List of Common Weeds   |   Control Methods

Click here for a printable version of this publication: Managing Mississippi Farm Ponds and Small Lakes

Aquatic plants fulfill many natural functions and are vital in aquatic and wetland environments. However, they may interfere with fishing, swimming, and boating in private ponds and lakes. Since some aquatic plants are desirable and serve as food sources for waterfowl and other wildlife, they should be controlled only when they become pests by interfering with the owner's preferred use of a particular pond or lake.

Prevention should always be the first choice, if practical, since it is usually easier and cheaper to prevent an aquatic weed problem than it is to cure one. Preventive methods include proper pond location, construction, fertilization, and drawdown. Refer to the sections on site selection, pond construction, and fertilization for specific details on these aquatic weed prevention measures. If you use proper preventive methods, aquatic weeds are seldom a problem