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Controlling Curly-Leaf Pondweed
Curly-lead pondweed is an invasive aquatic plant that has been found in 759 lakes in 70 of the 87 counties in the state of Minnesota. Curly-leaf is unique in that it begins growing in late fall and continues to grow under the thick ice. When spring arrives it is usually the first plant to appear after ice-out. Then when most native aquatic plants are growing, curly-leaf pondweed is dying back.
As the dying weeds decompose it contributes to increased phosphorous concentrations in the lakes. The excessive phosphorus provides necessary nutrients for algae to grow causing additional recreation and water-quality problems.
Mechanical harvesting (raking, cutting, or harvesting) is effective if performed in the spring – before Memorial Day. This process does need to be performed yearly however, but since curly-leaf can spread from just a small plant fragment; it is imperative that the harvesting method include collecting and disposing of the clippings.
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